Brandywine’s fierce defense and all-around depth was too much for short-handed Cassopolis in BCS Athletic Conference cross-divisional girls basketball Tuesday.

Forcing the visitors into 50 turnovers, the Bobcats (4-0, 3-0) topped the Rangers 53-14.

“Our pressure was very, very good,” Brandywine coach Josh Hood said.

Santaja Gibson scored every point for Cassopolis, which was playing without senior Brittney Prestly (torn ACL) and started four sophomores (Gibson, Madison Brooks, Telayah Coats and Tierra Johnson) and a junior (Ky’ana Buck) against a Brandywine combo featuring four seniors (Emily Erwin, Jaleesa Gardner, Makenna Hartline and Michael Hartline) and a junior (Makena Bowen).

“We were real unselfish tonight,” Hood said of his offense. “We’ve got to keep attacking the rim.”

The Rangers were also without head coach Nat Pittman, who is recuperating from a heart procedure. Lamar Pittman, Nat’s grandson, who was acting head coach for Cassopolis Tuesday, said the elder Pittman is expected be back at Thursday’s home game against Centerville.

“He’s doing a lot better,” Lamar Pittman said. “I don’t know if he’ll be running things, but he’ll be there. He’s a strong, tough guy.”

Hood said the prayers of the Bobcat program were with Nat Pitman.

“They played hard tonight and that’s a testament to him,” Hood said.

With Michaela Hartline leading the way, Brandywine outrebounded Cassopolis 18-0 on the offensive glass in the first half.

“We told her that she needs to take more pride (in offensive rebounding) and she did that,” Hood said of a player who wound up with 11 points and eight rebounds.

Emily Erwin netted four 3-pointers and paced Brandywine with 16 points.

Jaleesa Garner canned 10 points and again was a firestarter for the Cats on both ends of the floor.

Both teams are in action against Thursday. Bridgman visits Brandywine.

 

BRANDYWINE 53, CASSOPOLIS 14

At Brandywine

CASSOPOLIS 14

Madison Brooks 0, Santaja Gibson 14, Ky’ana Buck 0, Telayah Coats 0, Tierra Johnson 0, Eryn Forrest 0, Kyrah Taylor. TOTALS: 6 2-4 14.

BRANDYWINE 53

Emily Erwin 16, Makenna Bowen 0, Michaela Hartline 11, Jaleesa Garner 10, Makenna Hartline 7, Mia Stella 2, Rachael Szilagyi 2, Alyssa Bolen 3, Chelsie Luczkowski 2, Cassie Luczkowski 0, Alexis Garcia 0. TOTALS: 19 9-18 53.

 

Cassopolis                  4          6          10       14

Brandywine               18       34       49       53

3-point baskets: Cassopolis 0, Brandywine 6 (Erwin 4, Mic. Hartline, Bolen). Total fouls (fouled out): Cassopolis 14 (none), Brandywine 10 (none). Varsity records: Brandywine 4-0, Cassopolis 1-5. JV: Brandywine 38, Cassopolis 15. Leading scorers: Brandywine — Madison Bailey 13, Melanie Martinez 8. Cassopolis — Sophie Fiala 7.