The Dowagiac boys basketball team has been lighting up scoreboards all season.

The Chieftains lead the area with 1,351 points scored and an average of 79.4 points per game.

Decatur is the next closest averaging just under 62 points per game. Edwardsburg is the closest in the Wolverine Conference West Division as the Eddies are averaging a shade over 60 points per contest.

The No. 3-ranked Chieftains (16-1) have topped the 80 point mark  seven times this season, including back-to-back games in which they scored 85 points against Edwardsburg and South Haven.

Five times during the 2012-13 campaign, Dowagiac has eclipsed 90 or more points and once, topped the century mark as it defeated Berrien Springs 101-74.

The Chieftains will play host to the Shamrocks Friday night in their final home game.

Dowagiac is led by All-Stater Dontel Highsmith, who is averaging 29 points per game. He also is averaging better than nine rebounds and seven assists per contest.

But Highsmith isn’t the only Chieftain putting up some big numbers this season.

Brother Davion Highsmith is averaging 12.5 points per game, D.J. Hunt 11.7 points per game and Kyle Solloway is averaging 10.9 points per game.

Heading into the final three games of the regular season (including Wednesday night’s game against Paw Paw), the Chieftains will be trying to work on their rebounding and defense.

Dowagiac has allowed 1,013 points through 17 games for an average of 59.5 points per game.

“We have a lot of defensive breakdowns,” Dowagiac coach Danum Hunt said after the Edwardsburg game Friday night. “We did not box out well tonight, but that’s been one of our woes all season. We didn’t shoot free throws well and that’s been one of our woes too. We need to fix that before tournament time because that’s going to be very important.”