The Dowagiac basketball team shook off a slow start and a few stretches of stagnancy to take down the visiting Paw Paw Redskins 106-80 Wednesday night.

Dontel Highsmith poured in a game-high 33 points while his younger brother Davion netted 26 for the Chieftains. D.J. Hunt added 24 points to Dowagiac’s cause.

The Chieftains (17-1) had trouble finding any consistency early in the Wolverine Conference non-divisional contest, but were carried by the play of the younger Highsmith, who scored 18 of his 26 points in the first half; including an incredible dunk over a Redskin defender that would make wonderful poster material.

The Chieftains held a 46-33 edge heading into the break.

In the second half the elder Highsmith took over scoring 24 points and forcing an up-tempo game that Dowagiac used to run the Redskins right out of the gym.

DeMarcus Leak led Paw Paw (10-7) with 24 points and had two spectacular jams of his own in an effort to spark his team. Teammates Tanner Eubank and Daniel Guilbee added 19 and 12 points respectively for the Redskins.

Dowagiac coach Danum Hunt was especially happy with his team’s performance given the fact that they hadn’t had a practice since before their previous game.

“I was kinda concerned about tonight’s game,” he said.  “We had a tough game against South Haven on Monday and we didn’t get to practice because of the weather last night, so we came out a little stiff and stale, but I think once we got going and did the things we do, we got up and down the court and had a great outcome.  It’s time for us to pull everything together and get ready to make a tournament run.”

The Chieftains will take that next step in preparing for the tournament Friday night when they host Berrien Springs in the final home game of the season.

 

PAW PAW 80

Kyle Williams 6; Tyler Hatfield 3; Sean Brennan 11; DeMarcus Leail 23; Tanner Eubank 17; cody Warner 4; Mike Strong 2; Parker Marcon 14. TOTALS: 32 13017 80

DOWAGIAC 106

Dontel Highsmith 33; Davion Highsmith 26; Bryce Dodd 3; Kyle Solloway 11; Zach Williams 2; D.J. Hunt 24; Tyler Clark 7. TOTALS: 34 29-37 106

 

Paw Paw 15 33 55 80

Dowagiac 23 46 71 106
3-point goals: Dowagiac 9 (Do. Highsmith 3, Da. Highsmith, Dodd, Hunt 4), Paw Paw 3 (Hatfield, Brennan, Eubank). Total fouls (fouled out): Dowagiac 21 (Da. Highsmith, Solloway), Paw Paw 25 (Brennan, Warner). Varsity records: Dowagiac 17-1, Paw Paw 10-7