PLAINWELL — Junior Dontel Highsmith scored a school record 56 points Tuesday night to lead Dowagiac to a 95-63 victory over host Plainwell Tuesday night in a Wolverine Conference boys’ basketball game.

Highsmith, who is averaging 49 points a game after just two outings, finished with 21 field goals, including five 3-pointers and was 9-for-9 at the free throw line.

“I knew that he would score steadily around the 30s, low 40s, but I had no idead he would go for 56,” Dowagiac coach Danum Hunt said. “They (Plainwell) tried man-to-man, they tried zone. His outside shooting has improved so much that it doesn’t matter what kind of defense they play.”

Highsmith also had eight assists and nine rebounds in what Hunt called “a great all-around game.”

Dowagiac also got 17 points from Eric Charles and 14 points from Davion Highsmith.

“We changed up what we were trying to do on defense to keep him (Charles) around,” Hunt said. “He was able to stay in the game and was very effective at both ends. With D.J. (Hunt) being out, Davion has been able to step up and fill the gap.”

The Chieftains (2-0, 2-0 Wolverine) led just 22-20 at the end of the first quarter, but opened up an 11-points advantage (47-36) by halftime. Dowagiac poured in 28 points in the third quarter and 48 points in the second half to pull away to the easy victory.

The Chieftains finished with 38 baskets, including seven 3-pointers and were a solid 12-of-15 from the free throw line.

Plainwell (1-2, 0-2 Wolverine) was led by Justin DeBruyne’s 17 points. Jack Conklin added 16 points for the Trojans.

Dowagiac is now off until Tuesday night when it travels to Coloma for a non-conference contest.

DOWAGIAC 95

Dontel Highsmith 56; Davion Highsmith 14; Craig Zebell 0; James Holder 4; Joey Pasternak 0; Brendon Murray 0; Tyler Clark 2; Matt Smith 2; Eric Charles 17. TOTALS: 38 12-14 95

PLAINWELL 63

Justin DeBruyne 17; Austin Lutz 2; Grant Pell 2 Ian Norlin 0; Konner Westerhouse 6; James Matlock 8; Tommy Darby 0; Cody Howrigon 6; Jack Conklin 16; Burt Nurgittroyd 0; Jason McCaulin 5; Ryan Pell 1; Nick Adams 0. TOTALS: 25 6-16 63

Dowagiac 22 47 75 95

Plainwell 20 36 53 63

3-point baskets: Dowagiac 7 (Do. Highsmith 5, Da. Highsmith 2), Plainwell 7 (DeBruyne 3, Matlock 2, Howrigon, McCauslin). Total fouls: Dowagiac 16, Plainwell 12. Varsity records: Dowagiac 2-0, 2-0 Wolverine; Plainwell 1-2, 0-2 Wolverine