Defending district champion Niles will have its work cut out for it this week in Stevensville.

The Vikings (17-13-1) will have to take on Dowagiac (9-24-1) Tuesday in a pre-district contest with the winner advancing to the second semifinal Saturday against Lakeshore.

St. Joseph (24-9) and ranked No. 10 in Division 2 should be considered the favorite, although Niles swept the Bears in a Big 16 West Division doubleheader last week 2-0 and 8-3.

In the other pre-district contest, St. Joseph will take on Benton Harbor with the winner advancing to the first semifinal Saturday against Berrien Springs 10 a.m.

Lakeshore and the winner of the Niles-Dowagiac contest will play at approximately 12:30 at Lakeshore High School. The championship game is set for 3 p.m.

Division 3

Bridgman reached the state finals a year ago and are considered the favorite to come out of the Cassopolis district.

There are only four teams in the field, so there is no pre-district game Tuesday.

The Bees (18-1) are ranked No. 7 in Division 3. They will take on the host Rangers in the second game at noon.

Two more Lakeland Conference rivals, Buchanan (12-11) and Brandywine (16-13) will play in the opening game Saturday at 10 a.m.

The championship game is scheduled for 2 p.m.