At 5-foot-9, Dowagiac senior guard Bryce Dodd is not going to strike fear in the hearts of opponents.

But Dodd is one of the main reasons why the Chieftains are 15-2 heading into tonight’s non-conference game against Buchanan.

Dowagiac coach Danum Hunt calls Dodd the glue of his team and a coach on the floor. The coach also knows that when things get tight, the juniors Dodd plays with look to him to be a calming influence.

“He is our unspoken leader,” Hunt said after the Chieftains clinched the outright Wolverine Conference West Division championship Friday night. “He has been a part of this team since he was a sophomore. Now as a senior we look to Bryce for his leadership. He works a lot and talks a lot with the young guys and helps them keep everything in perspective.

“When he is on the court, we can use Bryce to settle things down and he will surprise you from time to time with his offense. But I would say he is the glue that holds this team together. When we need to slow the tempo or slow down the game, Bryce is that guy. I can give him instructions and he can get everybody in place. He can help us get that done.”

According to Hunt, Dodd is the one who will pull a teammate aside and encourage them.

“Bryce is the one when guys are struggling mentally, who can step in there and say the words that need to be said to get the guys refocused and recharged,” Hunt said. “I look for him for a lot of help. He is my actual coach on the floor.”

Dodd sees his role the same way.

“To get the guys all settled down,” he said. “When things are not going good on offense I help get things set up. I look to pass the ball more than anything. To pass the ball, get rebounds and steals. That’s what I do.”

As a sophomore, Dodd played along side Dowagiac’s all-time leading score Dontel Highsmith and D.J. Hunt. He learned how to play championship basketball from them and now he is trying to pass that on to his younger teammates.

“I learned a lot that year,” Dodd said. “Now it is my senior year and I am trying to lead like they did. I am trying to teach these guys what I learned from them.”

And about his occasional offensive outburst?

“I just try to pick my spots,” Dodd said. “If I hit a couple of jump shots then I am like ‘alright, I can get some points tonight.’ But I am usually not looking to do it, but if I feel it I am going to try and get some points.”

Dodd and the Chieftains were West Division champions his sophomore season, but lost to Otsego in the crossover game.

Dowagiac is once again division champions and will travel to Otsego for the crossover game March 3.

“Hopefully we can win the conference championship this time.”