With only a one-game lead over Edwardsburg, tonight’s Wolverine Conference West Division match-up against Three Rivers is a key one for the Dowagiac boys basketball team.

The No. 3-ranked Chieftains are 6-0 in the West Division, while the Eddies are 5-1. Dowagiac cannot afford a misstep against the visiting Wildcats, who are just 1-5 in division action.

Dowagiac is led by senior Dontel Highsmith and his area-leading 29 points per game average. Highsmith is also averaging nine rebounds and seven assists per game.

In the first meeting with the Wildcats on Jan. 29, The Chieftains posted a 78-64 victory over Three Rivers.

Highsmith had 28 points, while Davion Highsmith added 17 and Kyle Solloway 16.

Dowagiac coach Danum Hunt was not pleased with his team’s effort against the Wildcats, saying “it was an ugly win, but we’ll take it.”

The Dowagiac girls basketball team will also take on the Wildcats tonight.

Three Rivers is one of the top teams in the Wolverine Conference and handed the Chieftains a 61-16 loss Jan. 29.

Teagan Reeves scored a game-high 27 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for the Wildcats in the victory.

Three Rivers rolls into town with a 13-1 overall record and a 7-0 mark in the West Division.

The Division 3 Individual Wrestling Tournament will be held at Olivet High School Saturday.

Teams competing along with the Chieftains are Battle Creek Pennfield, Berrien Springs, Bridgman-New Buffalo, Buchanan, Coloma, Delton-Kellogg, Fennville, Hopkins, Comstock, Olivet, Parchment, Paw Paw and South Haven.

The top four placers in each weight division will advance to the Division 3 Regional at Whitehall Feb. 16.