By By DON EDEN / Vigilant/Argus
MARCELLUS – Things can only go up for the girls that play basketball at Marcellus as they are similar with professional football players in the NFL at Detroit as they both went winless.
The gallant Lady 'Cats lost all 20 games this year after getting beat 65-39 by Cassopolis in a Class C District Tournament opener.
"I am the fourth new coach in five years and I plan on staying as we can only go up, but proud of these girls for never giving up," commented coach Lauren Copenhaver of Marcellus. "We do have eight girls that played a lot coming back next year and anxious to see how they get better because they did a lot of growing, a lot of learning and developed fundamentals as the year progressed."
The only hoopster that scored more than Cassopolis senior Taira Williams all year against Marcellus was University of Michigan bound Rachel Sheffer (Watervliet) as she scored 26 points by starting early with a basket coming five seconds after the opening tip. Junior Damonica Kelly of the Lady Rangers (11-9) scored four of her 10 points with a couple rebound baskets for an 8-2 early advantage that finished with a 17-10 first quarter lead.
Turnovers were the thorn for Marcellus as they committed 11 in each the first and third stanzas.
"This game was very difficult for some reason because they are used to being pressed and have not had as much trouble until tonight," stated Copenhaver. "Turnovers have been a roller coaster ride for us all season though."
Cassopolis junior Sasha Lanier opened the biggest lead (23-10) in the first half with 5:40 remaining with a rebound basket, but the rest of the second quarter was all Marcellus as they tied the score at 26 before a buzzer beater by sophomore Lela Broussard sent the Lady Rangers to the locker room with a 30-26 advantage.
Williams and Kelly each had eight points at half time with Marcellus senior Jody Williams and junior Hannah Reuter each scoring six markers.
"We got off to an early good lead, but we need to complete a whole game," said Cassopolis coach Floyd Foston. "Taira (Williams) has been our sparkplug all year and gets things going for us."
Williams scored a pair of hoops within the first 25 seconds of the third quarter and 6-foot-1 sophomore Victoria Robison connected from underneath the basket after five minutes as the Cassopolis lead reached double figures once again at 43-32 before the horn sounded with the Lady Rangers holding a 49-37 lead.
Marcellus made half of their shot attempts for the first three quarters, but the tired hosts missed all 11 in the final quarter with Williams scoring the only points on two free throws with 36.8 showing on the scoreboard. Sophomore Danielle Webster led a quartet of sophomores with 10 points for the Lady 'Cats with Williams grabbing 10 caroms to go with her eight tallies.
"Jody (Williams) has come a long way and will definitely be missed since she is so strong defensively and loves the game with a lot of heart," explained Copenhaver. "Defensively, we just fell apart in the second half which affected the offense and our leading scorer (sophomore Sarah Mencl) had a bad game and the others do too since she is our go to girl."
Cassopolis also won the rebound (37-30) battle and forced Marcellus into 36 turnovers compared to 18 for the Lady Rangers. Robison equaled her points and rebounds with eight apiece.
"The lack of mental toughness was the cause of our turnovers, but I am pleased with our defensive pressure in the second half and now need to play like that the whole game," concluded Foston. "Mendon and White Pigeon are in the opposite side of the bracket and both beat us during the regular season, but we have improved and I like our chances if we play the entire game with intensity."
Taira's twin sister Tiffany turned her ankle a couple weeks ago on a loose ball, but Foston is hopeful for her return Wednesday against Centreville, who Cassopolis beat by 14 points during the regular season.
"Tiffany's ankle is still tender and painful which will be a nagging injury for her the rest of the tournament," said Foston. "This is a new season and records don't mean anything, because losers will go home for the year."
CASSOPOLIS 65
Lela Broussard 2 0-0 4, Reese Ellison 3 0-0 6, Damonica Kelly 5 0-0 10, Sasha Lanier 3 0-0 8, Victoria Robison 3 2-2 8, Taira Williams 12 2-3 26, Tiffany Williams 1 1-2 3. TOTALS: 29 5-7 65
MARCELLUS 39
Amanda Keeton 2 0-0 5, Zoey Klein 0 0-0 0, Hillary Melville 1 0-0 2, Sarah Mencl 2 0-0 4, Hannah Reuter 3 0-1 6, Danielle Webster 0 0-0 0, Jody Williams 3 2-2 8, Amanda Wilson 2 0-0 4. TOTALS: 17 2-6 39.
Cassopolis 17 30 49 65
Marcellus 10 26 37 39
3-pointers: Cassopolis 2 (Lanier 2) Marcellus 3 (Webster 2, Keeton). Total fouls: Cassopolis 10, Marcellus 5. Records: Cassopolis 11-9; Marcellus 0-20