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Marauders survive Olean rally

By Braden Carmen 5 min read

Thursday night was one to remember for the Dunkirk Lady Marauders.

With three seconds left in a one-point game, visiting Olean inbounded the ball in the front court and got an open look from the 3-point line for a chance to win.

But, finally, fortune favored the team in maroon and white.

The Dunkirk Lady Marauders survived a late Olean comeback attempt to hang on for a 57-56 win in a Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Athletic Association Division 1 West girls basketball game at Dunkirk High School.

"My heart was about to pound out of my chest the whole time, but I had faith in my kids. I knew they could do it," said Dunkirk head coach Quinn Bankoski. "I'm glad today we were able to take that extra step and finally win the game when we're that close."

As the final buzzer sounded, Dunkirk (6-5, 3-1) completed the climb from a one-win team a year ago, and a winless season before that, all the way to a winning record more than halfway into this season. Dunkirk has not held a winning record at any point since the sectional championship season of 2020 that was cut short because of the pandemic.

"It's exciting, my kids are excited. It's so awesome to be coming off a win like this because now we're 6-5. We finally have a winning season after so many years of not having one. It's really something awesome," Bankoski said.

Even aside from the final minute of action, the win didn't come easy for Dunkirk. Within the first minute of play, Olean (4-6, 1-3) drilled a 3-pointer for the game's first points.

The Lady Huskies held the lead for most of the first half, including a 17-14 advantage after the first quarter. Olean stretched the lead to 19-14 with a basket in the first minute of the second quarter.

But when the Lady Marauders fell down, they hopped back up ready to fight. The second quarter showed Dunkirk's tenacity, as the Lady Marauders responded with a 12-0 run to claim a 26-19 lead.

The run was punctuated after Dunkirk senior Alyssa Salerno battled for a loose ball on the floor with an Olean player. Even after the whistle, both players continued to struggle for the ball and Salerno -- still on the floor -- ripped the ball away. The possession arrow went in Dunkirk's favor.

Then on the next possession, Salerno immediately pulled the trigger on a 3-pointer from the top of the key and drilled it to punctuate the 12-0 run.

"When something bad happens or if I mess up, I get down on myself. But to come back and score, it helps bring the whole team back. My teammates are so good with supporting me. If something goes wrong, they always make sure to pick me up. It's just the best feeling to be able to redeem myself after something happens," Salerno said. "Their reactions, along with my coaches' reactions to how I play, make it all worth it."

Bankoski spoke to all that Salerno brings to the team in her first year with the varsity program.

"This is actually her first year playing varsity basketball. She played at NCCS and I knew she had the skills, but we couldn't get her here. But then she said, 'Yeah, I'll play.' She became a starter after the first game. You can see a difference when she's not on the court. She has so much athletic ability and she gives her all the whole time," Bankoski said. "I'm really glad she's on the team this year, and I think the girls are happy she's here, too."

After Dunkirk claimed the lead, it never trailed again. The Lady Marauders led by 10 at halftime, 38-28, and 44-35 after three quarters.

Dunkirk still led 57-49, with slightly more than a minute remaining, but after multiple turnovers and four straight missed free throws, the Huskies had the chance to win the game at the buzzer. This time, as opposed to recent years, Dunkirk got to celebrate as the clock struck all zeroes.

"I feel great right now. We really worked together as a team. Everyone played their part, whether they were on the court or on the bench. The coaches did an amazing job helping us through all of this," Salerno said. "We really showed up today to work hard and I'm proud of us."

Bankoski recalls games a year ago against Salamanca and Fredonia where the Lady Marauders had a chance to win at the end, but could not finish off the victory. After Thursday's win, she said, "It's nice to be on the other side of that for once."

Dunkirk was led by Molly DiCara with 18 points; Salerno and Ana Rodriguez each had 13 while Shyla Karin added 9.

Olean was led by Leah Williams, who scored a game-high 28 points. Olivia Kratts added 10.

Up next, the Lady Marauders travel to Forestville for a non-league game on Monday night. Olean takes on Pioneer in a non-league matchup on Saturday afternoon in Olean.

"It's really nice that things are starting to fall together," Bankoski. "I'm just really happy with the win. Olean has been a close competitor and it's nice to finally win those games now."

OLEAN (56)

Finch 1 1 4, Smith 0 0 0, Campbell 2 0 5, Burt 0 0 0, Fayson 2 2 7, Kratts 4 0 10, Bates 0 2 2, Williams 11 4 28, Malloy 0 0 0, Benjamin 0 0 0, Easton 0 0 0. Totals 20 9 56.

DUNKIRK (57)

Salerno 6 0 13, Dicara 9 0 18, Karin 4 1 9, Kenner 0 0 0, Pacheco 1 2 4, Szymczak 0 0 0, ARodriguez 4 4 13, Jacques 0 0 0, Santos 0 0 0, TRodriguez 0 0 0, Alfaro 0 0 0. Totals 24 7 57.

3-point goals--Finch, Campbel, Fayson, Kratts 2, Williams 2, Salerno, ARodriguez.

Olean 17 11 7 21 -- 56

Dunkirk 14 24 6 13 -- 57

Starting at /week.