Just minutes into the Class C District opener at Cassopolis Monday night, there was little doubt what team would be advancing to tonight’s semifinal.

The Rangers (15-6) raced out to a 10-0 lead and exposed the fact that they were quicker and more athletic than the Panthers.

Cassopolis added another 14 points onto the scoreboard in the opening quarter to take a commanding 24-7 lead.

Watervliet (3-18) would not respond.

The lead reached 50-23 by halftime and when the Rangers poured in 20 more points in the third quarter, Cassopolis led 70-36.

Despite the lopsided victory, Cassopolis coach Ricky Evans was not pleased with his team’s effort.

“I was not happy because we got a big lead and I subbed and they did not come in and give me the energy I wanted,” he said. “Overall, I was pleased with how we played. The kids were ready to play. We worked and we worked and we watched every thing they did. We were prepared for tonight.”

The Rangers will now face BCS Athletic Conference foe Bridgman in tonight’s semifinal game.

Cassopolis swept the regular season with a pair of one-point victories.

“We knew we were going to have to play the best,” Evans said. “Bridgman has been good for a long time, so we have to get by them.”

Evans said that the Rangers will have to be a better job rebounding if they want to complete the sweep of the Bees and advance to Friday night’s title game.

“We have to do a better job boxing out,” he said. “I think our guards will take care of (Nick) Knowlton. I think we will be fine. We are not going to change. We are going to be Cass. We are going to run them and see if they can run with us.”

 

CASSOPOLIS 79, WATERVLIET 52

Watervliet 52

Jake Shafer 0, Blake Kiekenapp 0, Matt Winter 0, Dylan Moser 2, Brandon Legn 8, Alex Lefor 0, Kyler Kickenapp 2, Zack Kiefer 12, Bradley Alden 18, Chris Leblang 2, Cameron Rendo 0, Kevin Pantelleria 0, Stuart Yates 8. TOTALS: 19 9-16 52

Cassopolis 79

Deion Gatson 9, Bryce Saxton 16, John Hampton 2, Isaiah Crider 6, Brandon Glover 21, Malik Ballard 4, Noah Woods 7, Shane Los 8, Matthew Pittman 0, Kiante Brown 6. TOTALS: 31 10-15 71

 

Watervliet      7          23       36       52

Cassopolis      24       50       70       79

3-point baskets: Watervliet 5 (Lefor 2, Alden 2, Leblang), Cassopolis 7 (Gatson, Saxton, Glover 4, Los). Total fouls (fouled out): Watervliet 17 (none), Cassopolis 17 (none). Varsity records: Watervliet 3-18, 15-6