SOUTH HAVEN — Brothers Dontel and Davion Highsmith scored a combined 37 points as the Dowagiac boys basketball team secured outright possession of the Wolverine Conference West Division title Monday.

The Chieftains headed to South Haven for a make-up game and came away with a hard-fought 85-79 win over the Rams.

Dowagiac, ranked No. 3 in the state, led by 11 by halftime (45-34).

South Haven outscored the Chieftains (16-1, 9-0 West) 47-40 in the second half, but was unable to overtake Dowagiac.

D.J. Hunt led Dowagiac with 24 points, including seven 3-pointers. Davion Highsmith finished with 19 points, Dontel Highsmith with 18 points, Tyler Clark with 13 points and Kyle Solloway with 11 points.

South Haven’s Brian Harris led all scorers with 31 points. Jerry Gist added 25.

 

DOWAGIAC 85

Dontel Highsmith 18, Davion Highsmith 19, Bryce Dodd 0, Kyle Solloway 11, Joey Pasternak 0, D.J. Hunt 24, Tyler Clark 13. TOTALS: 28 17-21 85

SOUTH HAVEN 79

Ryan Dorow 5, Brian Harris 31, Malik Broady 8, Tony Canonie 4, Keylonte Gaines 0, Jerry Gist 25, Kashawn Echols 4, Maquiz Dixon 4. TOTALS: 29 17-23 79

 

Dowagiac 19 45 63 85

South Haven 12 34 56 79

3-point goals: Dowagiac 4 (Do. Highsmith, Da. Highsmith 2, Hunt 7, Clark 2), South Haven 4 (Dorow, Harris 2, Gist). Total fouls (fouled out): Dowagiac 19 (Clark), South Haven 16 (none). Varsity records: Dowagiac 16-1, 9-0 West; South Haven