Cassopolis uses speed to topple Berrien Springs

Published 12:57 am Wednesday, January 23, 2008

By By JEFF FISHER / Edwardsburg Argus
CASSOPOLIS – When the Cassopolis girls' varsity basketball team can get into the open floor and use its speed to its advantage, often times the opposition is left in the dust.
The Lady Rangers showed Thursday (Jan. 10) night that even without their senior point guard Michelle James, they are still a tough team to beat.
Cass (5-5) had a trio of double-figure scorers in Damonica Kelly, Tiffany Williams and Tiara Williams.
Kelly scored 12 of her 14 in the second and third quarters. Tiffany Williams canned 10 of her game-high 16 in the first half. Tiara Williams collected six of her 10 also in the first half and defeated visiting Berrien 56-28 in a Lakeland Conference game.
Foston was not surprised to see three Rangers with double-figures.
"After we lost Michelle, I sat down with Tiffany (Williams) and talked to her and told her that she needed to step up her scoring, which she has always been capable of doing and she is doing a great job for us now," Ranger coach Floyd Foston said."
It took a while for Cass to get going. But once it did, Berrien had no chance to stay with the Lady Rangers.
Using their three-point shot, the Lady Shamrocks were able to stay competitive with the Rangers as Cass led after one quarter 10-9.
But with an adjustment by Cass along with it's ability to get the game at its tempo changed everything.
"It took us a while to get into it, but I was pleased with their effort and they played very hard tonight, they did a lot of good things defensively and on offense. We had good intensity and good energy."
Rangers outscored the Shamrocks 14-4 in the second quarter to lead the break, 24-13.
In the final three quarters, Berrien Springs was held to 4, 3 and 12 points, respectively.
Berrien did find its way to the charity stripe by going 10-of-19.
Cass could not make it a clean sweep as the junior varsity squad dropped a 34-29 decision to the Shamrocks.
Note: James tore her ACL and MCL in the game against Niles on December 17, and she is done for the season.
"It's a terrible blow, we looked for her for leadership, scoring and defense. It was a big setback for us but the girls know that we can play and win games without her. But it is kind of bittersweet. We hate to lose her but the other girls can step up and contribute and play," Foston said.
BERRIEN SPRINGS 28
Rachel Zahrn 0 0-0 0; Amanda Bromilow 2 0-0 4; Whitney Schecknies 0 0-0 0; Brienne Jepkema 0 4-4 4; Koby Gillespie 0 0-4 0; Kelsey Shembarger 4 3-6 15; Lyndsey Shembarger 0 2-2 2; Arielle Wallace 0 0-0 0; LaQuittia Nichols 1 1-3 3. Totals: 7 10-19 28.
CASSOPOLIS 56
Damonica Kelly 4 6-6 14; Robin Danzy 1 1-2 3; Tiffany Williams 5 6-9 16; Kenyah House 0 5-8 5; Taira Williams 5 0-0 10; Taletha Andrews 1 0-0 2; Victoria Robinson 2 2-2 6; Keondra Williams 0 0-0 0. Totals: 18 20-27 56
Berrien Springs 9 4 3 12 – 28
Cassopolis 10 14 17 15 – 56
3-point baskets: K. Shembarger (BS) 4. Total fouls: Berrien Springs 18. Cassopolis 14. Fouled out: Zahrn (BS).