The Dowagiac, Edwardsburg and Buchanan girls basketball teams have encountered some rough nights during the regular season.

Now the three teams set their sights on being competitive next week when the Class B district tournament gets underway.

A bit of good news is that all three squads received a bye and will be able to scout their next opponent.

Dowagiac, which entered the final week of the regular season with an 0-17 record, faces the Benton Harbor-Berrien Springs winner at 6 p.m. Monday at Lakeshore High School.

The Chieftains didn’t play the Tigers during the year and fell twice to the Shamrocks (54-35 and 43-35). Benton Harbor is ranked honorable mention and Dowagiac coach Floyd Foston expects to see them in the semifinals.

“Benton Harbor is the big favorite at the district,” said Foston. “Lakeshore is also playing well, but I’d give the nod to Benton Harbor.

“I don’t know if it’s good news at all that we got the bye. I’d rather play somebody and win, then play Benton Harbor.”

The Tigers are led by the terrific sister tandem of Kysre Gondrezick (27.6 ppg.) and Kalabrya Gondrezick (16.9 ppg.).

“Benton Harbor is very athletic,” Foston said. “If we can handle their pressure and make good decisions on offense it would be helpful. I’m just going to give my team some encouragement and hope we play as hard as we can 32 minutes.”

Edwardsburg entered the final week of the regular season with a 6-12 record. The Eddies finished second in the Wolverine Conference West Division with a 6-4 mark.

Edwardsburg meets the Three Rivers-Paw Paw winner in a semifinal game Monday at Three Rivers High School. The Wildcats are ranked honorable mention.

During the regular season, the Eddies fell to Three Rivers, 54-37 and 45-31. Paw Paw beat Edwardsburg, 50-39.

“We’ve played well for a half against Three Rivers,” said Edwardsburg coach Nicole Cartwright. “Over a course of a year it’s hard to beat a team three times. We’re hoping our time will come.”

Juniors Alexis Blake (9.2 ppg, 8.6 rpg.) and Olivia Hack (8.2 ppg.) lead a young Edwardsburg squad. Maddi Holmes and Haleigh Hite are the lone seniors on the team.

“I’m very pleased with our effort this year,” Cartwright said. “Our girls have come out and played strong in games.

“In postseason play anything can happen. Who comes to play and plays smart will win. I feel like we have to take care of the basketball and play smart.”

Buchanan owned a 5-13 record with a week to go in the regular season.

The Bucks will face either Lakeshore or Coloma in a district semifinal game Feb. 27 at Lakeshore High School. The Lancers beat Buchanan, 46-34, during the regular season, while the Comets beat the Bucks, 26-20.

“I think we’ve improved defensively,” said Buchanan coach David Cleveland. “But, we’re not where we need to be. Offensively, we’ve struggled. Making wide open shots is the big thing for us. I think our kids have done a good job when it comes to shot selection.”

Cleveland sees one team as being a slight favorite at the district.

“I would say Benton Harbor is the favorite with Lakeshore next,” the Bucks coach said. “But, anything can happen.”