SURVEYING THE FLOOR … Stryker’s Bradley Williams handles the ball during last Tuesday’s win over Fayette.
IN A CROWD … Fayette’s Carter Lavinder looks for an open teammate while being double teamed.
By: Sienna Gill
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
publisher@thevillagereporter.com
STRYKER (December 9, 2025) – With a blazing fast start, relentless defensive pressure, and great performance from William Donovan, the Stryker Panthers powered through to a 58-33 win against the Fayette Eagles on Tuesday night.
Stryker’s fast-paced ball movement and interior scoring set the tone very early in the game and prevented Fayette from ever finding a rhythm.
Stryker (2-2) wasted no time building momentum. After they won the tipoff, the Panthers used quick passes through Donovan, Dylan Rivas, and Cody Stewart to get on the board early on with a three-pointer from Rivas.
Fayette tried their best to answer with ball movement through Mason Leininger, Carter Lavinder, and Kruez Lichtenwald, but Stryker’s defense immediately disrupted every chance the Eagles had at possessions, resulting in a lot of turnovers and rushed shots.
Throughout the first quarter, Fayette (2-2) struggled to get any points on the board, going scoreless until the final minutes.
Meanwhile, Stryker continued to dominate. Stewart and Bradley Williams each knocked down early shots, and Donovan repeatedly attacked the basket and earned many trips to the line and opportunities to convert inside.
Williams drained back-to-back threes late in the quarter, pushing Stryker to an 11-0 advantage. Fayette finally got on the scoreboard with a basket from Wyatt Bieber, but Stryker still finished the period up 20-3 after efficient ball movement and yet more offensive strategy from Donovan.
Fayette increased its offensive activity during the second quarter, particularly through Lichtenwald, who opened up the quarter with a three-pointer and later added another from far beyond the arc.
However, every spark Fayette created was quickly stamped out by Stryker.
Donovan scored immediately after a missed Stryker three, then converted an and-one just moments later. Stewart added great physical play inside, and Williams continued to push the pace and strategically find teammates in transition.
Stryker’s passing sequences in the quarter were some of their most fluid of the night.
Long chains of touches involving Donovan, Rivas, Williams, Eli Capps, and Stewart repeatedly broke down Fayette’s half-court defense.
Donovan also sank a pair of free throws midway through the quarter, adding yet more points onto his tremendous grand total, while Stewart earned additional trips inside that extended the lead even further.
After a brief Stryker timeout with a 27-9 lead, Donovan finished a tough layup and Stryker’s defense stayed firm and forced Fayette into a few late-clock shots and contested threes.
The Panthers entered halftime leading 34-13, pushed ahead by Donovan’s huge first half and the team’s relentless defensive pace.
Stryker remained in control during the third quarter as well. Although Fayette earned some early free-throw opportunities, Stryker responded each time.
Donovan converted multiple scoring plays, including a pair of free throws after drawing contact on drives.
Stryker’s ball movement continued to shine as Williams, Rivas, and Steward strategically combined to find openings inside.
The Eagles continued to rely heavily on Lichtenwald, who accounted for much of the offensive production, including strong drives and midrange attempts.
Bieber added physical interior scoring as well, but Fayette’s offense stalled under Stryker’s pressure, and they were unable to close the gap due to a large amount of turnovers; 22 by the game’s end.
Stryker maintained a steady pace, with Stewart and Williams adding buckets and Donovan continuing to add on to his already efficient night.
The Panthers extended their lead to 50-22 at the end of the third after a strong defensive stand and a last-second Stryker rebound to close the quarter.
During the fourth, Stryker’s bench had many opportunities to showcase depth. Players like Chandler Lloyd, Dean Shindledecker and Jassek Juillard all contributed offensively, with Lloyd scoring inside and Shindledecker adding a key basket late in the quarter.
Stryker continued to share the ball well and maintain their strong defensive stand, generating open layups and forcing Fayette into difficult shots.
Fayette did however see productive minutes from Zander Johnston, Zach Oehlers, and Ethan Sperling, each of whom found ways to get shots up around the rim.
Lichtenwald added to his impressive night with another made three, but the Eagles continued to struggle from the free-throw line as well as inside the paint.
As the clock wound down, Stryker closed the game with steady ball control and a final basket from Lloyd with 19.5 seconds left in the game.
The Panthers secured rebounds on the final defensive stop and dribbled out the remaining seconds to seal the 58-33 win.
Stryker shot efficiently inside the arc, finishing with 19 made two-point field goals and three made threes. They went 11-for-16 from the line (68.75%).
Fayette finished off with 10 two-point field goals, three threes, and just 4-of-12 made free throws (33.33%).
Stryker also forced 22 Fayette turnovers while only committing 14 of their own, which was more than likely a key factor in the lopsided final score.
Donovan led all scorers with a whopping 34 points, while Williams added 13. Lichtenwald paced Fayette with 17 points, while Bieber contributed 7.
FAYETTE (33) – Dombrowski 0; Schang 0; Cr. Lavinder 0; Leininger 3; Lichtenwald 17; Cruz 0; Ca. Lavinder 2; Oehlers 2; Bieber 7; Andrews 0; Johnston 0; Sperling 2; Totals: 10-3-4 – 33
STRYKER (58) – Donovan 34; A. Batterson 0; Williams 13; Juilliard 2; Gonzales 0; Capps 0; Rivas 0; A. Batterson 3; Stewart 2; Shindledecker 2; Lloyd 2; Totals: 19-3-11 – 58
FHS 3 10 9 11 – 33
SHS 20 14 16 8 – 58