By By SCOTT NOVAK / Dowagiac Daily News
CONSTANTINE – Foul trouble and the hot-shooting of Marcellus' Derek Turtle was too much for Cassopolis to overcome in the Class C District championship game Saturday night.
Marcellus, ousted from the tournament the previous two years by the Rangers, finally got the monkey off its back with a 65-60 victory at Constantine High School.
The Rangers led 14-12 after one period of play, but trailed 27-25 at the intermission.
The two teams continued to trade leads in the early stages of the second half before the Wildcats seized control.
Cassopolis' leading scorer Nick Davis fouled out midway through the third quarter after being whistled for his fourth foul and then picking up a technical foul.
"When you lose your leading scorer, it's a big part of the puzzle," Cassopolis coach Josh Hood said. "He's also been our post presence."
From there, the Wildcats slowly began to pull away from the Rangers.
Despite the fact that Marcellus couldn't quite put Cassopolis away, the lead remained comfortable for the Wildcats.
The Rangers, who trailed 44-41 heading into the final quarter, made one final run at Marcellus, but couldn't catch the 'Cats.
Turtle led the Wildcats with a game-high 20 points. Marcellus also got 17 points from Andrew Nofsinger and 15 points from Garrett Smetlzer.
Paul Curtis and P.J. Smith, both of whom scored 12 points, led the Rangers. Larry Harris finished with 11 points.
MARCELLUS 65
Garrett Smeltzer 5 5-10 15, Derek Turtle 8 4-6 20, Andrew Nofsinger 6 1-2 17, Ian Shelly 1 0-0 2, Tyler Lanning 4 1-5 9, Skyler Perry 0 0-2 0, Bryant Hutson 0 1-2 1, Caleb Reuter 0 1-2 1. Totals: 24 13-29 65
CASSOPOLIS 60
Larry Harris 3 4-4 11, DaShaun Curtis 2 2-2 8, Nick Davis 3 3-4 9, P.J. Smith 4 0-0 12, Paul Curtis 4 3-4 12, Kris Morgan 3 2-4 8, Raymond Nelson 0 0-0 0, Drew Warren 0 0-0 0, Lonnie Williams 0 0-0 0. Totals: 19 14-18 60
Marcellus 12 27 44 65
Cassopolis 14 25 41 60
3-point baskets: Nofsinger (M) 4, Smith (C) 4, D. Curtis (C) 2, Harris (C), P. Curtis(C). Total fouls: Marcellus 17, Cassopolis 26. Fouled out: Lanning (M), Davis (C). Technical: Davis (C)