NEW BUFFALO — Visiting Cassopolis remained undefeated with a one-point win over New Buffalo in a makeup game Saturday.

The Rangers had to rally from a 10-point (37-27) halftime deficit to pick up the 69-68 non-confeference boys basketball victory.

The Rangers (4-0) had four players in double figures, including a game-high 26 points from Tyrese Hunt-Thompson.

Cassopolis also got 18 points from Xander Smith, 13 points from Brandon Anderson and 12 points from Kiambu Gary.

“We started out very slow, very lethargic,” Cassopolis coach Ricky Evans said. “We picked it up late in the second quarter. Lucky we were only down 10 at the half. We pick up are defensive pressure and got back in the game.”

Julian Hymes scored 24 points to lead New Buffalo, which also got 17 points from Seth Margaritis and 15 points from Ryan Butler.

Niles basketball

MISHAWAKA — Visiting Niles trailed 18-0 just five minutes into the game and 26-6 after one quarter of its 63-45 non-conference boys basketball defeat at Mishawaka Saturday night.

The Vikings (3-2) outscored the Cavemen 33-21 in the second and third quarters as they cut the lead to 47-39 heading into the fourth quarter.

Niles was unable to maintain the momentum and was outscored 16-6 in the final eight minutes by Mishawaka.

Senior Robert Brown was a bright spot for the Vikings as he was 10-of-13 from the floor and 2-of-5 from the free throw line in scoring a team-high 22 points.

Unfortunately, the rest of the Vikings were a combined 8-of-28 from the floor.

Ritcie Heath, a junior, and senior Johnny Bybee both had five points for Niles, which travels to Mattawan for a SMAC West Division contest Tuesday.

Niles wrestling

EAU CLAIRE — Bolstered by five individual champions, the Niles “B” wrestling team easily captured the Eau Claire Scamble Saturday.

The Vikings finished with 297 points to easily outdistance runner-up St. Joseph, which finished with 169 points. Fennville was third with 79, Eau Claire fourth with 67 and Cassopolis fifth with 52.

Winning championships for Niles were Carson Landon (103), Austin Reid (130), Reese Gardner (135), Kade Wagler (140) and Cade Best (171).

The Vikings also picked up seven runner-up finishes with Skylar Means (125), Harrison Haden (135), Connor Tibbitts (140), Elli Fruk (145), Cole Simpson (152), Kaiden Cates (160) and Kenny Krempetz (189).
Finishing third for Niles were Jose Valez (160) and Caiden Smith (285).