Following its season opener against the Bucks Tuesday, the Dowagiac girls basketball team jumps into the heart of its Wolverine Conference West Division schedule with a home game against Berrien Springs Friday.

The Shamrocks and Chieftains will be looking to make adjustments following their season openers Tuesday against Cassopolis and Buchanan respectively.

Second-year Dowagiac coach Floyd Foston has been stressing the team concept and defense as the Chieftains try to improve on last year’s 0-21 record.

“I am hoping to see us play together as a team,” Foston said about the season opener. “Hopefully we understand the concepts of communication and boxing out on rebounds.”

Tip-off is set for 7:15 p.m.

In other games, Niles will host Buchanan Thursday night, while Edwardsburg will travel to South Haven for its West Division opener and Countryside will travel to Cassopolis for a non-league contest Friday night.

 

Buchanan at Niles

The Niles girls basketball team hopes to tipoff the season with a victory Thursday night.

The Vikings, who were 0-21 last season starting mainly freshmen and sophomores, will begin the 2013-14 season on the road against Buchanan. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m.

The Bucks will have a one-game advantage on Niles as Buchanan, under new coach Gabe Miller, opened its season Tuesday night against Dowagiac.

The Vikings, under the direction of veteran coach Patrick Touhey, did not lose a single starter from last year’s squad.

While all the key cogs return and are now a year older, Touhey doesn’t spend a lot of time talking about winning with his team. Instead he is focused on getting them to be the best they can be. The rest will take care of itself.

“Winning is our goal, but we do not spend a lot of time on the topic,” he said. “We concentrate on being our best and putting forth our best effort no matter who the opponent is.”

Following its season opener against the Bucks Thursday, Niles jumps into the heart of its Big 16 West Division schedule with a road game at St. Joseph Friday.

 

 

Eddies at South Haven

The Eddies were 6-4 in the Wolverine West last season, which was good for second place.

Edwardsburg, which opened its season Tuesday night against St. Joseph, wants to get off to a quick start against the Rams.

Tip-off is scheduled for 7:15 p.m.

 

Countryside at Cassopolis

A busy start to the 2013-14 season continues for the Cassopolis Rangers Friday night.

The Rangers will host Benton Harbor Countryside in their second non-conference contest of the week.

Cassopolis opened the season by facing former Lakeland Conference foe Berrien Springs.

Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m.