From staff reports

CASSOPOLIS – The first home game for the Cassopolis girls’ basketball team of the 2009-10 season will be one to remember.

The Rangers hosted arch rival Edwardsburg, which is undefeated in Lakeland Conference play so far.

But on Monday night it was Cassopolis, who got the upper hand in the series, knocking off the Eddies 40-34.

A quick start to both halves proved to be the difference for the Rangers.

Cassopolis (4-5, 1-4 Lakeland) jumped out to an 11-4 first quarter lead.

The Eddies (4-5, 3-1 Lakeland) outscored the Rangers 9-7 in the second quarter to cut the deficit to 18-13 at the half.

But the Rangers came out of the locker room and extended their advantage thanks to a 12-2 difference in scoring in the pivotal third quarter.

The 10-point advantage that Cassopolis enjoyed in the period allowed it to take a 30-21 lead into the final eight minutes of play.

In the first quarter Damonica Kelly, who finished with a game-high 17 points, tossed in three baskets, while in the third quarter Kelly and Lela Broussard both had four points to lead the charge.

Edwardsburg did outscore Cassopolis in the final quarter (13-10), but it was too little, too late for the Eddies.

Edwardsburg, who continues to play without standout Steffany Streb, who has been lost for the season to a knee injury, also had two players foul out in the contest, which didn’t help the situation.

Ashley Streb, one of the Eddies’ top scorers and Leslie Boyles both took a seat on the bench before the contest ended.

Streb still managed to score a team-high 11 points before fouling out.

Edwardsburg also had difficulties shooting the basketball on the night and finished with just 11 baskets, including one 3-pointer.

The Rangers on the other hand tossed in 15 buckets, including a 3-pointer. Cassopolis did struggle from the free throw line, going 9-of-19.

The Rangers were, however, 6-of-12 in the fourth quarter.

Besides Kelly’s total, Cassopolis also got 10 points and 13 rebounds from Reese Ellison, while Broussard grabbed 11 rebounds.

Rachel Vite finished with 10 points for the Eddies, who will now take on undefeated Lakeland Conference leader Brandywine on Friday night at home.

The Rangers are back in action on Thursday when they host Bridgman.

EDWARDSBURG 34
Rachel Vite 3 4-7 10, Sarah D’Amico 2 2-2 7, Emily Kozinski 0 3-6 3, Mariah Murphy 0 1-2 1, Ashley Streb 5 1-2 11, Leslie Boyles 1 0-0 2, Jill Blough 0 0-0 9. TOTALS: 11 11-19 34
CASSOPOLIS 40
Reese Ellison 4 2-4 10, Savannah Sullivan 1 0-0 3, Lela Broussard 2 0-1 4, Sasha Lanier 1 4-8 6, Damonica Kelly 7 3-5 17, Jameka Eleazer 0 0-0 0, Devan Hillyer 0 0-0 0. TOTALS: 15 9-18 40

Edwardsburg 4 13 21 34
Cassopolis 11 18 30 40
3-point baskets: Edwardsburg 1 (D’Amico), Cassopolis 1 (Sullivan). Total fouls: Edwardsburg 19, Cassopolis 14. Fouled out: Streb (E), Boyles (E). Technical fouls: Edwardsburg (bench), Cassopolis (Broussard). Varsity records: Edwardsburg 4-5, 3-1 Lakeland; Cassopolis 4-5, 1-4 Lakeland. J.V. score: Edwardsburg 38, Cassopolis 17