OBSERVER Photo by Roger Coda Pictured above, Dunkirk’s Earl Stewart (3) goes up strong against Westfield’s Hayden Backus during a basketball game Thursday at Dunkirk High School.

The Dunkirk Marauders hosted the Westfield Wolverines in a Section VI, non-league boys basketball matchup on Thursday at Dunkirk High School and the Wolverines offense was too much for the young Dunkirk squad, resulting in a 56-36 victory for Westfield.

The game started out with the Wolverines scoring on their first three possessions, showing they were ready to play. Dunkirk would not go down without a fight as they responded with a quick run of their own, evening the score early at 6-6. The Marauders slowed down the pace of play, seeing that Westfield played an up tempo game. This pace kept the score close in the first.

But it did not take long for the Wolverines to begin generating opportunity through their defensive pressure. Westfield started to find more chances but in the first didn’t seem to pull away. After one it was 13-6 Wolverines.

“Last time we played them we started real slow and played real well in the second half, because we increased the tempo and got into them a bit,” said Westfield head coach Bob North. “I thought we did that early today, and it got us going early today. I was pleased with how we started, a little bit of a lull in the middle and we finished ok.”

In the second quarter the Wolverines offense heated up, as multiple players began finding the basket.

“I was pleased with the balance we had tonight, and all the guys that contributed,” said Coach North. “I told the guys tonight that I wanted to rotate guys in and out, and not play everyone as much as normal.”

The Wolverines found success off of the press, making it difficult for the Marauders in transition. Michael Johnson and Ryan Jafarjian were the main duo causing difficulties for Dunkirk. Jafairjan accounted for half of Westfield’s steals, bagging seven of them to go along with his 11 points on the night.

“When we matched up at half court it worked well. Michael Johnson, Dylan Scriven, Ryan Jafarjian and Matt See came in, all four of those guys make you handle the ball and if you don’t take care of it they’ll take it away from you,” said Coach North. “So I was pleased from our pressure from the press, we kind of backed out of it when we got up 20, then we didn’t play as well so we went back to it.”

Once Westfield started gaining possession they were running on all cylinders, they hit shots from long-range and down low, creating a dual threat for Dunkirk to deal with. The Westfield found contributions from all over the roster, four Wolverines hit double digits.

Evan Hauser had 14 points and four rebounds, Johnson had 10 points, Jafarjian with 11 and Andrew Baribeau scored 12 to go along with his six rebounds. By halftime the Wolverines found themselves with a comfortable lead, 37-15.

The second half started off slow as neither team was lighting up the scoreboard. Despite the large deficit the Marauders did not give up.

“Our kids are not giving up,” said Dunkirk head coach Luke Gullo. “Our two seniors are our captains and they are showing some good leadership, but at the same time everyone else is a junior, freshman or sophomore.”

Led by Earl Stewart, the Marauders offense started to heat up, making an effort to get the tough baskets down low. Stewart led the Dunkirk offense with eight points and a hard fought 12 rebounds. A’Marion Tell contributed five points and nine rebounds.

“We’re in a learning process, we’re as young as we can be. A’Marion Tell came up from JV and he played like he’s been on varsity the whole time, and that’s a big plus,” said Coach Gullo. “Earl Stewart is our leader and he continued tonight. Even though he was double and triple teamed he still did a nice job.”

Westfield, realizing Dunkirk was attempting to mount a comeback reignited their press in an effort to maintain the 20 point lead. At the end of the third it was Westfield up, 46-29.

Dunkirk brought the deficit to 13 in the early going of the fourth, it was the closest the score would get as Westfield powered their way to a big 56-36 win.

The Marauders (1-8) will host Southwestern next Tuesday, as they hope to get back in the win column.

Westfield (7-3) looks to continue their winning ways tonight as they have a big tilt against division opponent Panama.