OBSERVER Photo by Braden Carmen Pictured above, Dunkirk’s Kymi Nance (right) shoots a free throw while Fredonia’s Kazlin Beers (2) looks on during the first matchup of Dunkirk and Fredonia on Jan. 10 at Fredonia High School.

For one final time — at least as far as the regular season is concerned — the Dunkirk-Fredonia rivalry hits the hardwood tonight, as the Dunkirk Lady Marauders host the Fredonia Lady ‘Billies at Dunkirk High School at 6 p.m. After blowouts in all three rivalry basketball games — boys and girls — between the two rivals so far this season, it’s anyone’s guess as to what happens between the two rivals after the opening tip this time around.

Dunkirk (9-6, 1-5) comes in to tonight’s matchup in the same position as last time around in terms of scheduling, as the Lady Marauders have dropped three straight games. That was the case the first time around on Jan. 10, but Dunkirk emphatically ended that three-game skid with a blowout 85-52 win.

“Last time we got out to a great start,” said Dunkirk head coach Ken Ricker. “Especially at home this time, we hope for another great start.”

Since the last meeting, Dunkirk has suffered three straight losses once again, and just like last time, the Lady Marauders come in after a close league loss to Chautauqua Lake. But the biggest loss for Dunkirk, however, doesn’t come in the record book.

“It’s similar in terms of all those other things, but the big thing that’s changed is we don’t have our point guard, Jessica Beehler,” said Ricker.

Beehler is expected to miss the rest of the season with an illness. She had 12 points and seven assists for Dunkirk in the last matchup between the two teams set to meet tonight.

“They’ve been really resilient going through some of the things they’ve gone through,” said Fredonia head coach Mark Putney. “They’re similar to us in that aspect.”

As if things couldn’t get much tougher for the Lady Marauders, starting center Amari Carter is not expected to play tonight after suffering an in-game injury. Already without Beehler, Dunkirk will be down two of its five starters tonight, while depleting the already short Dunkirk bench even more.

“Losing two players, especially a starting point guard, everyone’s roles change,” said Ricker.

Octavia Porter will likely be leaned on for even more than usual for Dunkirk tonight.

“Octavia Porter has made huge strides for us. She’s really stepped up for us since Jessica (Beehler) went down.”

Porter had 10 points and 16 rebounds for Dunkirk in her last game.

Similar to the last time around, the Lady ‘Billies are coming off a league loss to Maple Grove once again. Fredonia (6-6, 1-5) hopes the similarities end there. After the way the Lady ‘Billies lost on their home floor last time, Putney hopes tonight will be a different story.

“The biggest thing we need to do is make sure our transition defense is up to par this time,” said Putney. “We need to do a better job getting out to their shooters. Last time their shooters found their spots and we didn’t do a very good job getting out and stopping them.”

The Lady ‘Billies bounced back nicely after the loss to Dunkirk on Jan. 10, with a five-point win over Chautauqua Lake in Fredonia on Jan. 14, followed by a clutch game-winning free-throw by Grace Mroczka to give Fredonia a one-point win at Falconer on Jan. 16.

However, since then, Fredonia has lost twice, and has given up more than 60 points in back-to-back games, while failing to score 40 either time out.

“Both teams (Dunkirk and Fredonia), it’s deceiving. Both of us play in a very tough league. … We’re always playing very tough teams,” said Putney. “I’m looking forward to another very competitive, high-level basketball game (tonight).”

Putney added that without Dunkirk having a JV team, the Lady ‘Billies have called up a few JV players to have an extended bench for tonight’s game.

“You only put five on the floor at a time,” said Putney. “We just have to find the right combination of five (tonight).”

Meanwhile, Dunkirk will play with less than half the available players as Fredonia has tonight.

“I have serious admiration for teams like that with so many kids on their team,” said Ricker. “Hopefully, (Dunkirk) can have that someday soon. I really hope so.”

With the stakes already high between the two rivals, there may be even more on the line tonight. The winner of tonight’s game will likely be positioned for a much more favorable path in the sectional playoffs in the coming week. As both teams showed last season, even after a tough regular season, Dunkirk and Fredonia each have the ability to make deep playoff runs, especially if the pieces fall in a favorable position.

“It’s going to be a great game. There’s nothing like a Dunkirk-Fredonia game,” said Ricker. “We’ve got to go out and give it all we’ve got.”

Fredonia’s Anna Buchanan was a bright spot for the Lady ‘Billies last time these two teams met, with a team-high 14 points. She may be counted on again this time out, while Fredonia will also hope to get more out of veteran point guard Kazlin Beers this time around. Though she only had eight points last time against Dunkirk, Beers will not have to worry about her counterpart Beehler this time out.

“I try to tell my girls anyone can step up at any time,” said Putney. “Anna is one of them. She really has a knack for getting rebounds for us. … We expect a lot from her again (tonight).”

For Dunkirk, Kymi Nance will be the player to watch tonight for the maroon and white. Nance, who led all scorers with 21 points last time against Fredonia, will be counted on much more in terms of running the offense without Beehler at the point. Nadara Odell had 20 points and 15 rebounds last time, while Olivia Smith had 20 points with six 3-pointers for Dunkirk. All three Lady Marauders will be crucial to lead Dunkirk to another win over Fredonia, this time on the Dunkirk home court.

“All three of them, they have a lot of experience,” said Ricker. “Having that game against Chautauqua Lake under our belt will help with everyone learning their new roles a little more.”

At one point or another this season, all four basketball coaches have stated that in a rivalry game like Dunkirk-Fredonia, you throw the records out. Fans will undoubtedly pack the Dunkirk High School gym, expecting an intense game tonight.

“I’m very appreciative of the support we have for games like this,” said Putney. “I’m looking forward to getting out there (tonight).”

Regardless of the narrative going into tonight, there is the opportunity for someone on either team to step into the spotlight and become a local hero for the night. Tonight, we find out who that hero will be.

While Fredonia was forced to cancel school today because of a water main break, tip-off is still scheduled for 6 p.m. at Dunkirk High School. Follow along on Twitter @bradencarmen and @TheObserverNY for updates during the game or any breaking news before the contest begins.