COLOMA — A youthful Dowagiac basketball team got a taste of the big time against Benton Harbor at Coloma High School Tuesday night.

The Chieftains, who return just five players from last year’s 18-4 Wolverine Conference championship team, could not keep up with the veteran Tigers squad, falling behind 13-2 after one quarter and ending up on the wrong end of a 57-36 loss on opening night.

Of the five returning players, only two saw significant playing time last year for Dowagiac.

The quickness of the game and defensive pressure of Benton Harbor was too much for the Chieftains, who turned the ball over 19 times, including nine in the first eight minutes of the contest.

The Tigers (1-0) outscored Dowagiac 13-8 in the second quarter to open up a 26-10 halftime advantage.

The Chieftains (0-1) played better in the second half, but still came up short on the scoreboard to the tune of 31-26.

Dowagiac was led by Jamin Hunt and Caleb Murphy’s nine points.

Benton Harbor’s Carlos Johnson, a freshman, scored a game-high 14 points, while Roy Anderson added 11.

The game was played at Coloma High School due to roof repairs to the Benton Harbor gymnasium.

The Chieftains open up Wolverine Conference play against visiting Otsego at 7 p.m. Friday night.

 

BENTON HARBOR 57, DOWAGIAC 36

At Coloma

DOWAGIAC 36

Marcus Winchester-Jones 1, Shaquan Stanback 3, Logan Thies 0, D.J. Lanier 4, J.J. Smith 2, Zach Johnson 2, Eric Walker 0, Adrien Bucha-Moore 3, Matt Collett 0, Jeffrey Holloman 3, Jamin Hunt 9, Mack Charles 0, Caleb Murphy 9. TOTALS: 13 7-12 36

BENTON HARBOR 57

Roy Anderson 13, Elijah Baxter 6, George Walker 5, Dennie Brown 0, Shawn Hopkins 9, Kenny Jackson 5, Carlos Johnson 14, Adrien Alexander 2, Corey Dorris 0, Willie Brigham 0, Travis Favorite 0, Miles Wilson 0, Eusean Jennings 2, Allante Coates 0. TOTALS: 23 9-19 57

 

Dowagiac                  2          10       23       36

Benton Harbor        13       26       44       57

3-point baskets: Dowagiac 3 (Bucha-Moore, Holloman, Hunt), Benton Harbor 2 (Anderson, Jackson). Total fouls (fouled out): Dowagiac 18 (Charles). Benton Harbor 16 (Walker). Varsity records: Dowagiac 0-1, Benton Harbor 1-0.