By By JEFF FISHER / Vigilant/Argus
Two key turnovers caused by the pressure defense of Cassopolis defense early and late in the game proved to be the difference maker.
On the Eddies first possession of the game, Edwardsburg couldn't get the ball inbounds and were whistled for a five-second violation that pretty much set the tone for the game, and the Rangers continued the pressure as they defeated the Eddies 57-44.
"When you go on the road you have to punch the (other) team first, and I thought tonight with our pressure that set the pace right away. We didn't shoot the ball real well, but anytime you come into Edwardsburg, this has been possibly one of the toughest places to play in our league," Ranger coach Josh Hood said. "To win by 13 on the road in a tough environment is great for us heading into the districts."
The Eddies jumped out to an 11-7 lead in the first quarter on a Jake Harroff triple, but Cass' Stefone Conner countered that with a deuce, the Eddies led 11-9 at the end of the first, along with six turnovers, 17 for the game.
A 19-9 Ranger second quarter scoring explosion put the visitors up 28-29 at the break and 42-35 after three quarters.
The Rangers built a 12- point lead in the fourth quarter, but the Eddies managed to cut the lead to seven with four minutes to go, with possession and looking to make the score closer, they turned the ball over and didn't score again.
A Nic Davis and a Steven Eleazor bucket would cement the final score.
Nic Davis led all scorers with 17, and Eleazor added 15 and grabbed 11 rebounds for the Rangers, winners of four straight games.
"I thought we missed some shots, turnovers, and missed opportunities throughout the game. , but if you could have seen the first time we played them (Cass) this was better. The first half I thought we handled their pressure, but not so good in the second half," Eddies coach Dan Gunn said. "We are not as deep as they and we began to tire a little bit and I thought that told the story in the second half as much as anything."
Sevison led the Eddies with 15 points and Jake Harroff added eight.
"We didn't get the game out of Sevison and Harroff that I thought we might but it is no secret that if you are going to beat Edwardsburg, those two guys you have to stop."
Eddies sophomore Kyle Dale recorded a double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds in what Coach Gunn called one of his best games of the season. Nick Muir had four points, but snared 10 boards.
"I think our kids are doing the best they can, we just have to finish out the season with our heads up, they don't like losing."
The Eddies will finish up the regular season against Berrien Springs on Thursday before facing the Shamrocks again to open district play. The Rangers host Bridgman on Thursday as well.
"We have Berrien Springs the next eight quarters," Gunn added.
The Eddies fall to 8-11 and 4-9 in the LAC, while Cass improves to 14-5 and 9-4 in the conference.
In the junior varsity game, the Eddies beat Cass 47-28. Chad Tevlin had 10 for the Eddies (10-9), while Willie Ellison dropped in 14 for the Rangers (5-14).
CASSOPOLIS 57
Nic Davis 7 3-5 17, Raymond Nelson 1 4-6 6, DaShaun Curtis 1 0-0 3, Stefon Luckey 4 1-3 10, Steve Eleazer 6 3-5 15, Tommy First 2 0-0 4, Stefone Conner 1 0-0 2. TOTALS: 22 11-19 57
EDWARDSBURG 44
Brian Sevison 7 0-0 15, Jake Harroff 2 3-6 8, Nick Muir 2 0-0 4, Zac Eggleston 0 0-0 0, Ron Preston 0 0-0 0, James Hack 3 0-0 6, Kyle Dale 5 1-2 11. TOTALS: 19 4-8 44
Cassopolis 9 28 43 57
Edwardsburg 11 20 44
3-point goals: Cassopolis 2 (Curtis 1, Luckey 1), Edwardsburg 2 (Sevison 1, Harroff 1). Total fouls (fouled out): Cassopolis 8 (none), Edwardsburg 18 (Preston, Hack). Varsity records: Cassopolis 14-5, 9-4 Lakeland; Edwardsburg 8-11, 4-9 Lakeland