The Dowagiac boys basketball team was on a mission Friday night.

The No. 3-ranked Chieftains had played inconsistently in a 78-64 win over Three Rivers 10 days earlier. Dowagiac did not let that happen again.

Led by 17 first quarter points from senior Dontel Highsmith, the Chieftains rolled to an easy 98-45 win over the Wildcats to remain undefeated (7-0) in the Wolverine Conference West Division.

Dowagiac is now 13-1 overall.

Highsmith scored 23 of his game-high 30 points in the first half as the Chieftains used its pressure defense to create easy baskets.

Dowagiac scored 29 points in the opening quarter and then erupted for 35 points in the second quarter to take a commanding 64-27 lead at halftime.

The Chieftains didn’t let up in the second half, quickly pushing their lead past 40 points to put a running clock into effect for the remainder of the contest.

Beside’s Highsmith’s offensive output, Dowagiac also got 16 points from Kyle Solloway and D.J. Hunt and 12 points from Davion Highsmith.

Brady Reeves led the Wildcats (3-11, 1-6 West) with 12 points. Alex Cottingham added 11.

 

Three Rivers…57

Dowagiac…16

It seems to be one step forward and two steps back for the Dowagiac girls basketball team.

The Chieftains played well in a loss Tuesday night to Allegan, but were no match for the Wolverine Conference West Division leader Three Rivers Friday night.

In a game that was decided in the opening quarter, the Wildcats rolled to a 57-16 victory.

Three Rivers (13-1, 7-0 West) lead 21-3 after one quarter and then coasted home with the victory.

The Wildcats opened up a 49-7 halftime cushion with allowed the second half to be played with a running clock.

Linsey Masnari led Three Rivers with 18 points, while Teagan Reeves added 17.

Dowagiac was led by Ciera Smith, who despite having to sit for virtually three out of the four quarters with early foul trouble, who finished with six points.

 

BOYS

THREE RIVERS 45

Kendall James 2, Anderson Goff 5, Alex Cottingham 11, Brady Reeves 12, Trenon Karle 2, Austin Pratt 7, Conner Smith 4, Ryan Satkoski 2. TOTALS 18 7-12 45

DOWAGIAC 98

Dontel HighSmith 30, Davion Highsmith 12, Trace Hatcher 6, Bryce Dodd 0, Kyle Solloway 16, Joey Pasternak 7, Zach Williams 4, Todd McIntyre 2, D.J. Hunt 16, Tyler Clark 5. TOTALS 35 21-31 98

 

Three Rivers 19 27 34 45

Dowagiac 29 64 77 98

3-point goals: Three Rivers 2 (Reeves 2), Dowagiac 7 (Hunt 4, Dontel Highsmith 1, Hatcher 1, Pasternak 1). Total fouls: Three Rivers 24, Dowagiac 15. Varsity record: Dowagiac 13-1, 7-0 West Division, Three Rivers 3-11, 1-6 West

 

GIRLS

THREE RIVERS 57

Cristin Hollomon 1; Breann Lester 2; Marissa Wyngarden 4; Linsey Masnari 18; Alisa Schmitendorff 1; Nikki Bennett 11; Kimmy Sibert 3; Teagan Reeves 17. TOTALS: 22 9-19 57

DOWAGIAC 16

Crieona Rodgers 4; Kristyn Turner 2; Jessica Herthoge 0; Riley Daly 0; Rayven Brown 4; Ciera Smith 6. TOTALS: 7 2-6 16

 

Three Rivers 21 40 54 57

Dowagiac 3 7 11 16

3-point goals: Three Rivers 4 (Bennett 3, Sibert), Dowagiac 0. Total fouls (fouled out): Three Rivers 11 (none), Dowagiac 15 (Smith).