By By JEFF FISHER / Niles Daily Star
A tough, physical, yet scrappy Cassopolis girls' basketball team outplayed, outscored, and outdid the Brandywine Bobcats in a 69-39 romp Tuesday night in Lakeland Conference play.
The Lady Rangers raced out to a 16-8 lead after one quarter, and to a 33-20 halftime lead.
As the second half began, the Lady Rangers put their game into overdrive by outscoring the Bobcats 26-19 in the second half by rebounding, solid defensive play, and very professional wrestling like moves to get ball possession, to seal the victory.
Cassopolis was led in scoring by Monique Harris with 16 points, Kelsey Gordon adding 13, and super frosh Michelle James contributing 11 points.
The Brandywine Bobcats were led by Kalie Newman with 11 points and Nikki Martyniuk with nine points.
The Lady Rangers are now currently 7-1 overall and 4-1 in conference play. They are also currently on a four-game winning streak and currently unbeaten at home.
The Bobcats drop to 2-3 overall and 1-2 in conference play.
Brandywine hosts Coloma on Thursday.
Cassopolis…………….61
Brandywine……………32
BW - Kalie Newman 3 4-6 11, Ashley Antus 0 1-2 1, Kendra Zache 2 0-0 6, Rachel Batman 1 0-2 2, Katie Smallwood 1 2-2 4, Kerri Zache 2 0-0 4, Nikki Martyniuk 2 5-5 9, Charlene Juhasz 0 0-2 0, Heather Knuckles 0 2-2 2. Totals: 11 14-21 39.
CA - Amanda Weiss 1 1-3 3, Jealyn Foston 4 1-2 9, Kelsey Gordon 6 0-0 13, DeeDee Hawkins 1 0-0 2, Nikitas Nelson 3 1-4 7, Michelle James 5 1-2 11, Becky File 2 0-0 4, Monique Harris 7 0-0 16, Shanice Thompson 2 0-0 4. Totals: 31 4-11 69.
BW 8 20 27 39 - 39
Cass 16 33 48 69 - 61
Halftime score - Cass 33, BW 20
3-point shooting - BW 3 (K. Zache 2, Newman); Cass 3 (Harris 2, Gordon). Fouls (fouled out) - BW 13 (none); Cass 16 (none). Records - BW 2-3, 1-2; Cass 7-1, 4-1.