Dowagiac junior point guard Dontel Highsmith has already racked up some pretty impressive honors through his first three seasons with the Chieftains.

He added first team all-state to his list Thursday.

Already a 1,000-point scorer for Dowagiac and just a few baskets shy of owning the boys’ all-time scoring mark, Highsmith was named to the Associated Press’ Class B All-State team.

“I’m proud of the accomplishments he has so far. I am excited to see what is going to happen in the upcoming year. It’s scary to think about what will happen during his senior year with everything he has already accomplished.”

Hunt said that while there are plenty of suitors for his junior point guard, Highsmith has not made a selection as to where he will continue his basketball career.

“He’s taking it all in stride,” he said. “He is not concerned with making that decision right now. He has some goals for the team and as an individual that he wants to accomplish. He’s focused on what we are trying to do as a team as well as continuing to explore his options.”

Highsmith averaged 29 points and nine rebounds again this season as Dowagiac went 16-6.

He is joined on that team by Otsego’s Jared Klein. Klein and Highsmith are teammates during the offseason. Klein has committed to play at Western Michigan next season.

Defending state champion Lansing Sexton landed a pair of players on the first team and had Carleton Valentine named Coach of the Year. Denzel Valentine was named the Player of the Year in Class B after being named Mr. Basketball earlier in the week.

Sexton’s Bryn Forbes was the other first team selection. Valentine will play at Michigan State next season and Forbes at Cleveland State.

Edwardsburg’s Josh Kozinski and Buchanan’s Jalen Brown were both honorable mention selections.

“This is a great honor for him and the team,” Dowagiac coach Danum Hunt said. “This is something for us to build off of. It just goes to show that we are a program that is one the rise.

Associated Press Class B All-State
First team

Player of the Year

Denzel Valentine, Lansing Sexton, 6-6, Sr.
Anthony Clemmons, Lansing Sexton, 6-1, Sr.
Bryn Forbes, Lansing Sexton, 6-3, Sr.
Lloyd Neely, Detroit Crockett, 6-5, Sr.
Derrick Walton, Jr., Harper Woods Chandler Park Academy, 6-0, Jr.
John Simons, Cadillac, 6-8, Sr.
Lance Monroe, Bridgeport, 6-0, Jr.
Kevin Badger, Wyoming Godwin Heights, 6-0, Sr.
Jared Klein, Otsego, 6-1, Sr.
Dontel Highsmith, Dowagiac, 6-2, Jr.
Bo Zeigler, Detroit Community, 6-6, Jr.
Drake Harris, Grand Rapids Christian, 6-4, So.
Stevie Repichowski, Lansing Catholic, 6-5, Sr.
Sterling Morrow, Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood, 6-1, Sr.
Kellen McCormick, Pontiac Notre Dame Prep, 6-8, Sr.

Coach of the Year

Carleton Valentine, Lansing Sexton

Honorable Mention

(nominees receiving one or no votes from the 10-member panel)

Casey Mott, Wyoming Park; Greg Hamilton, Middleville Thornapple Kellogg; Juwon Martin, Muskegon Heights; Ryan Schall, Comstock Park; Javan Thomas, Melvindale; Khaliq Spicer, Dearborn Heights Robichaud; DeAndre Martin, Detroit Community; Martez Asberry, Detroit Douglass; Nate Stepney, Ferndale; Josh Kozinski, Edwardsburg; Jalen Brown, Buchanan; Brady VanderWeele, Parchment; Brian Harris, South Haven; Robert Puleikis, Beverly Hills Detroit Country Day; TJ Vondette, Hemlock; Kent Redford, Frankenmuth; Sebastian Johnson, Adrian; Austin Johnson, Onsted; Matt Russell, Marysville; Cody Edgerton, Yale; Matt Van Dyk, Imlay City; Ben Rodak, Imlay City; Zane Tobin, Grayling; Jared Holmquist, Reed City; Nathan Landsgaard, Goodrich; Kyle Slagell, Alma; Chris Lee, Carrollton; Eddie Rogers, Carrollton; Tony Purify, Saginaw Swan Valley; Brad Wyman, Bay City John Glenn