By By SCOTT NOVAK / Niles Daily Star
HARTFORD - Good defense and a cold shooting night helped Kalamazoo Hackett eliminate Cassopolis from the Class C basketball tournament Monday night.
The Lady Rangers shot just 32 percent from the field, thanks mainly to a tough Hackett defense, in a 44-41 loss in the first round of the regional tournament at Hartford High School.
Cassopolis (21-3) was appearing in its first regional tournament since 1992.
The Lady Rangers led throughout the first half, taking an 18-16 lead into the lockerroom at halftime.
Kalamazoo Hackett came out and took control of the contest with its defense, outscoring Cassopolis 28-23 in the second half.
In the second semifinal, Bridgman remained undefeated by beating Lawrence 57-45.
The Bees built a 21-point lead in the third quarter before the Tigers came back to make a game of it.
Kalamazoo Hackett will square off against Bridgman on Wednesday for a spot in next week's state quarterfinals.
Kalamazoo Hackett…..44
Cassopolis……………….41
Cassopolis (41) - Amanda Weiss 0 0-0 0, Jealyn Foston 4 4-7 12, Kesley Gordon 3 1-2 7, Lashandra Hawkins 7 0-0 14, Nikitas Nelson 1 0-0 2, Michelle James 2 1-2 6, Monique Harris 0 0-0 0. Totals: 17 6-11 41.
Hackett (44) - Kim Suter 1 0-0 2, Danielle Butler 2 1-4 6, Jackie Murphy 6 0-2 12, Caitlin Bowman 2 6-7 10, Amy Millard 5 1-4 11, Megan Scudder 1 1-2 3. Totals: 15 9-19 44.
Cass 11 18 31 41 - 41
Hackett 8 16 35 44 - 44
3-pointers - Cass 1 (James); Hackett 0. Fouls (fouled out) - Cassopolis 12 (none); Hackett 9 (none).