Dayton, Ohio — After starting off the year 0-2, Dunbar rebounded by winning their City League opener against Belmont. The Wolverines then responded with a 67-30 victory over Stivers. Darian Leslie and Javyn Martin each had 13 points but Antaune Allen’s dunk that capped off Dunbar’s run was the memorable play of the night.

After capturing the City League title in just his first season as head coach at Dunbar, Tony Dixon’s squad suffered an early exit from the tournament last year. Despite losing Chanze Amerson and Justin O’Neal, the Wolverines return a solid group in this season. Led by senior Darian Leslie and juniors Antaune and Antone Allen, this Dunbar team is expected to be the favorites to repeat as City League champions once again.

Dunbar junior Antaune Allen

After back to back district titles, Stivers was knocked out in the district semifinals last season. They return a majority of last year’s team though as Brendan Crump, Kyng Aidoo, and Kam Baxter will all be big pieces for the Tigers to lean on. Stivers has gotten off to a slow start though as they’ve lost their first four matchups. This includes a twenty point loss to Preble Shawnee on Tuesday.

Dunbar dominated the first quarter as senior Darian Leslie and freshman Brandon Hatcher helped the Wolverines jump out to an early 11-1 lead. Javyn Martin’s three from the wing would give Dunbar a 14-1 lead at the end of the quarter as Stivers was unable to make a field goal in the first quarter of play.

Dunbar freshman Brandon Hatcher Jr.

Stivers finally made their first basket off of a Jalen Waldon corner three. Then after a pair of jumpers from Kyng Aidoo, the Tigers’ deficit was cut to just 14-8. Kam Baxter went back and forth with the trio of Martin, Hatcher, and Allen the rest of the half. A missed dunk opportunity from Antaune Allen right before the halftime buzzer would keep Dunbar’s lead at 29-18 at the break.

Darian Leslie started off the second half with a three and then drove to the rim and finished the layup with a foul. Following his and-one, Brandon Hatcher drilled a three to put Dunbar up by fifteen. A three from Javyn Martin and then a layup in transition from Hatched extended the lead up to twenty.

Dunbar senior Darian Leslie

Then Antaune Allen capped off the Wolverines’ second half run as he caught a lob off the backboard and finished it with authority. This two handed dunk sent the gym into a frenzy and gave Dunbar a 51-25 lead at the end of the quarter.

Dunbar used a lot of second chance points to pull away and win 67-30. The Wolverines were led by Darian Leslie and Javyn Martin who each had 13 points. Freshman Brenden Hatcher Jr. had 11 points and Antaune Allen had 8 points. Dunbar moves back to .500 as they are now 2-2 (2-0, DCL) on the year and will look to win their third straight next Friday when face Pickerington Central on the road.

Dunbar sophomore Javyn Martin

Kam Baxter had a team high 13 points for Stivers and Kyng Aidoo contributed 9 points. This loss drops Stivers to 0-5 (0-2, DCL). They’ll look to get on the winning track when they face Chillicothe on Saturday.