Westfield’s Evan Hauser (10) is closely guarded by Chautauqua Lake’s Zach Fischer (11) in the Westfield Winter Classic championship game. Submitted photo

WESTFIELD — After trailing for nearly three quarters, Chautauqua Lake found itself with a two-point lead with a minute remaining.

The Thunderbirds needed a big stop.

They found it at the rim, followed by Nate Adams rushing down the court for a game-icing layup, solidifying an eventual, 65-59, victory over Westfield in the Westfield Winter Classic championship game Saturday night.

Throughout the first quarter, the visiting Thunderbirds led most of the way, maintaining a slight lead over the hosts.

It was a high intensity battle with both teams displaying their athleticism on quick fastbreaks to the rim.

“We knew coming in Westfield is big. I mean they’re very big compared to us,” said Chautauqua Lake coach Mike Putney. “We don’t have a lot of big players, so we try to run a fast game. They actually handled our press pretty decent. We got a few turnovers, but they responded well.”

The first quarter ended with Chautauqua Lake on top, 19-15.

Headed into the second quarter, the intensity of the game picked up, with both teams going hard in the paint, fighting for every point. The Wolverines, who were trailing in the early part of the game found the long ball and quickly tied the game. At the halfway point, Westfield (1-1) led, 33-31.

“In the first half we went in up two with 14 turnovers,” said Westfield coach Bob North. “I thought at halftime we were the better team.”

Entering the second half, the Wolverines looked energized coming out fast and furious, scoring the first five points, but Chautauqua Lake stayed close, trailing 48-43 heading into the final period.

Similar to the Westfield start to the third, the Thunderbirds came out scoring the first five points of fourth quarter, evening things up.

“The atmosphere was outstanding,” said Putney. “Westfield always brings a good crowd and our fans always support us and bring a great crowd. It was awesome to be a part of that environment.”

With everything tied up at 48, and feeling the momentum slip away from them, the Wolverines called a needed timeout. Shortly after the timeout, the Wolverines found themselves trailing for the first time in two quarters. It wasn’t until halfway through the final quarter that the Wolverines would get their first basket.

Chautauqua Lake tightened up defensively down the stretch and did not surrender the lead.

“They made plays at the end. (Zach) Fischer got into the lane and it hurt us a little bit,” said Coach North. “Adams (the tournament’s Most Valuable Player), scored from all over, too.”

Joining Adams on the all-tournament team were Michael Johnson of Westfield, Fischer, John Swabik of Sherman and Javier West of Forestville.