PHOTOS BY REBEKAH DELL / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
BBC CHAMPS … Stryker’s Aubrey Clemens (pictured) registered 15 points to lead the Panthers as they clinched a share of the BBC title with a win at North Central. VIEW 94 PHOTOS OF THIS CONTEST FOR FREE AT WWW.THEVILLAGEREPORTER.COM
LADY EAGLE … Tessa Reyome makes a move to the middle in North Central’s BBC contest with Stryker.
By: John Fryman
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
john@thevillagereporter.com
PIONEER (February 5, 2026) – For the first time since the 2019-20 season, Stryker earned themselves a share of the Buckeye Border Conference girls’ basketball title following its dominating 46-19 triumph over North Central.
With the conference victory, the Panthers, who improved to 17-3 overall and 6-0 in the BBC, have one major obstacle ahead when Fayette comes to town on Wednesday, February 11, for an opportunity to claim it all by themselves.
“I’m very proud of our girls,” said Stryker head coach Conner Ruffer. “It’s been a while since we claimed it (BBC title). We have at least a piece of it here and the goal is to get the job finished next week.”
North Central (5-12, 3-4 BBC) honored its three seniors, Cailyn Myers, Tessa Reyome, and Addyson Turner, who were playing in their final home game prior to tip-off.
Once the ball was tipped off to begin the game, it was Stryker who got off to an impressive start in the opening quarter. Aubrey Clemens gave the Panthers a huge early momentum lift, scoring nine of her game-high 15 points in the quarter.
Clemens scored on back-to-back layups followed by another bucket on an assist by Abby Oberlin, who nailed a 15-footer as Stryker raced out to a 14-1 first quarter cushion, holding North Central to just 0-for-3 shooting from the field.
Following a three-pointer by Stryker’s Allie Ruffer, North Central, who had missed its first five shots, finally connected when Mia Lawson nailed a short jumper with 5:41 left in the first half.
Stryker led 25-8 at halftime, having held North Central to 2-of-12 shooting for 16 percent in the half.
“We’ve been working on the offensive end and getting that spark a little bit sooner,” said the Stryker coach.
Lawson, who led the Eagles with eight points, made two free throws and a short jumper in the third quarter. Stryker extended its lead to 32-13 after three quarters of play.
In the fourth quarter, Stryker outscored North Central, 14-6, including four trifectas to finish it out.
“Our goal is to be the champs solely on our own, and I know Fayette will give us a fight, and they’re a really great team,” said the Stryker coach. “Our girls have worked hard and they deserve it.”
Besides the 15-point effort by Clemens, Stryker also got eight points from Oberlin, while Grace Froelich and Khloe Goebel both had six points each.
The Panthers were 17 of 47 for 36 percent from the floor and 3 of 6 for 50 percent from the line. They had a decisive 38-9 advantage on the boards, but committed more turnovers, 12-9.
Reyome and Myers both tallied four points for North Central. The Eagles were 4 of 29 for 14 percent from the floor and 11 of 19 for 57 percent from the line.
STRYKER (46) – Froelich 6; Donovan 0; Oberlin 8; Ruffer 4, R, Creighton 4, A. Clemens 15; M. Clemens 0; Fulk 3; Goebel 6; Bowers 0; Villa 0; Totals: 8-9-3 – 46
NORTH CENTRAL (19) – Myers 4; Burt 0; Groves 0; Turner 0; Reyome 4; Lawson 8; Gruber 1; Amos 0; Smith 0; Burger 2; Totals 4-0-11 -19
SHS 14 11 9 14 – 46
NCHS 1 7 5 6 – 19