PAW PAW — On a night when his first two baskets produces a milestone, it was Dontel Smith’s final bucket that made a winner out of the Dowagiac boys basketball team Friday night.

For the second-straight game, Highsmith’s buzzer-beater made a winner out of the Chieftains as they knocked off Paw Paw 70-68.

Heading into the Wolverine Conference game against the Redskins, Highsmith needed just four points to become the second Chieftain to reach 1,000 points in his career. He surpassed Tom Pullins into second place on Dowagiac all-time scoring list and now trails only Edgar Wilson.

Wilson is the other Chieftain to eclipse the 1,000-point plateau in his career. He is the school record holder with 1,371 points.

Highsmith finished the night with a game-high 28 points and now has 1,024 points in his three-year career.

Dowagiac (7-2, 5-1 Wolverine) trailed Paw Paw in the first half, but managed to overtake the Redskins in the second half and eventually pulled out the victory.

Paw Paw (8-3, 4-3 Wolverine) led 16-13 after one quarter and by a single point, 36-35, at halftime.

The Chieftains outscored Paw Paw 20-11 in the third quarter to grab a 55-47 advantage heading to the final period.

The Redskins were able to rally back and tie the game before Highsmith connected again at the buzzer on a floater in the lane. On Tuesday night, his 3-pointer at the buzzer gave Dowagiac a win over South Haven.

No other Chieftain reached double digits, but Dowagiac did get nine points from Brendon Murray, Tyler Clark and Eric Charles.

Paw Paw was led by Luke Vavra’s 28 points. Marquis Gill added 22.

DOWAGIAC 70

Dontel Highsmith 28, Davion Highsmith 5, Craig Zebell 6, Joseph Pasternak 2, Brendon Murray 9, Tyler Clark 9, Matt Smith 2, Eric Charles 9. TOTALS 23 21-26 70
PAW PAW 68

Christian Brian 5, Marquis Gill 22, Luke Vavra 28, Demarcus Leak 3, Tanner Eubank 6, Cody Warner 4. TOTALS 22 21-30 68

Dowagiac 13 35 55 70

Paw Paw 16 36 47 68

3-point baskets: Dowagiac 3 (Do. Highsmith 1, Murray 1, Clark 1), Paw Paw 3 (Vavra 2, Gill 1). Total fouls (fouled out): Dowagiac 24, Paw Paw 23 (Leak). Varsity records: Dowagiac 7-2, 5-1 Wolverine; Paw Paw 8-3, 4-3 Wolverine Conference