As it turned out, Westfield needed nearly every one of them.

The freshman guard scored a game-high 23 points, connecting on 6 of 11 shots from the floor, including four from beyond the arc; made 7 of 9 free throws; and had four steals, two rebounds and two assists as the Wolverines held off a huge Sherman rally to post a 53-45 Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Athletic Association Division 2 West victory.

The win improves the Wolverines’ record to 17-1 overall and 10-0 in the division, and clinches at least a tie for the league title.

But in a contest in which the hosts appeared to have the game well in hand, the outcome wasn’t decided until the final minute. Credit for that goes to the Wildcats (8-6, 6-3), who didn’t quit despite digging themselves a huge hole.

OBSERVER Photo by Scott Kindberg Westfield’s Darien Swanson is surrounded by Sherman’s Elijah Kioko (13) and Treyvon Kopta.

Leading 46-28 after three quarters — the Wolverines limited Sherman to six points in both the second and third quarters — Westfield appeared to be in complete control.

And then it wasn’t.

In fact, Sherman outscored the Wolverines 17-2 in the first seven minutes of the final period, drawing to within 48-45 following a putback by Elijah Kioko with 41 seconds remaining. Two seconds later, Carson Swanson was fouled and he hit both free throws to push the margin to five. The Wildcats didn’t score the rest of the way, and Cole Holland hit one of two free throws and Josh Barresi made a steal that resulted in a layup, allowing Westfield coach Nolan Swanson to finally exhale.

In addition to Carson Swanson’s big game, Darien Swanson scored 12 points to go along with five assists, five steals and three rebounds before fouling out with three minutes remaining.

Leading the way for Sherman were Kioko and Gerald Carris with 18 points apiece.

The Wolverines close out the regular season with two road games — against Falconer on Friday and against Chautauqua Lake on Feb. 16.

The Wildcats, meanwhile, have four division games remaining, beginning with Friday’s home game against Chautauqua Lake. Sherman will also entertain Clymer next Monday.

SHERMAN (45)

Swabik 2 0 4, Carris 5 5 18, Kopta 0 0 0, Ayers 1 0 3, Kioko 7 4 18, Hayes 1 0 2. Totals 16 9 45.

WESTFIELD (53)

Weingart 1 1 3, Barresi 2 0 4, Holland 2 1 5, DSwanson 5 0 12, CSwanson 6 7 23, HRotunda 0 0 0, Schuster 2 0 4, CRotunda 1 0 2. Totals 19 9 53.

3-point goals–Carris 3, Ayers, DSwanson 2, CSwanson 4.

Sherman 16 6 6 17 — 45

Westfield 17 12 17 7 — 53