DOWAGIAC — For the past two years, Edwardsburg senior Claire Bartz has played her role for the defending Wolverine champions.

At times, Bartz was the third option for the Eddies behind all-time leading scorer Kaitlyn Zarycki, who graduated and is at Saginaw Valley State University, and classmate Abbey Krugh.

But as one of only five seniors on the Edwardsburg roster, and one of two returning starters, Bartz has stepped up to become a primary option for the Eddies.

Bartz scored a game-high 13 points last Friday night to help lead Edwardsburg to an easy 57-12 Wolverine Conference South Division victory over host Dowagiac.

According to Eddies’ coach Jonathan Pobuda, nothing has really changed for Bartz, other than the fact that she is getting more chances.

“She really hasn’t changed much from last year,” Pobuda said. “She just has more opportunities. We need her to get to the basket. We need her to rebound. She’s one who understands the game all over the court. She plays the game the right way.”

Edwardsburg’s pressure defense was too much for the Chieftains, who trailed 22-3 after one quarter and 43-6 by halftime.

“They weren’t able to handle the pressure, and it made us even more aggressive,” Pobuda said. “Tonight, we were able to get away with some things. We need to remember to do our jobs and play the way we need to play down the road when we get into close games.”

The Eddies are now 8-1, following the Dowagiac victory, and a non-divisional win over Otsego on Tuesday night. They are 2-1 in the South Division, having lost to Three Rivers before the Christmas break.

Bartz feels like the team is starting to come together.

“I think we’re getting better with each game,” Bartz said. “At the beginning of the year, things were a little rocky. Kaitlyn was a great player, but now other people have to step up and put those points on the board.”

Besides Bartz, the Eddies got eight points from Katie Schaible and Krugh.

Pobuda is still waiting for Bartz and Krugh, who are averaging 14.6 and 11.1 points respectively, to both click in the same game.

“Claire and Abbey struggled a little tonight,” he said. “We need to get them both playing well at the same time.”

On Tuesday night, Bartz scored a game-high 19 points against the Bulldogs, while Macey Laubach added 10 points and Ella Castelucci eight. Krugh finished with seven points.

Edwardsburg hosts South Haven Friday night.