PHOTOS BY JACOB KESSLER / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
STRYKER SENIOR … Bradley Williams glides in for a layup in the first half versus North Central. VIEW 103 PHOTOS OF THIS CONTEST FOR FREE AT WWW.THEVILLAGEREPORTER.COM
BBC ACTION … North Central’s Zack Whitley gets inside for shot in the Eagles BBC game at Stryker last Friday.
By: John Fryman
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
john@thevillagereporter.com
STRYKER (February 6, 2026) – Seven senior members of the Stryker boys basketball team were honored, and the Panthers delivered a victorious gift in a 59-47 triumph over North Central in Buckeye Border Conference action.
Before the varsity contest, the Panthers recognized their seniors: William Donovan, Bradley Williams, Jassek Julliard, Geordie Gonzalez, Eli Capps, Andrew Batterson, and Dean Shindledecker.
“Anytime you have seven seniors, it’s special,” said Stryker head coach Tyler Woolace. “I’m glad they were able to get a win for Senior Night.”
Stryker (10-9, 3-3 BBC) jumped out quickly with William Donovan and Eli Capps nailing back-to-back trifectas for a 6-0 lead before North Central eventually rebounded from the early deficit.
The Eagles (8-11, 2-4 BBC) relied upon Logan Clark in answering Stryker’s fast opening quarter start.
Clark, who finished with ten points all coming in the first quarter, tallied seven unanswered points including a three-pointer from the top of the key as North Central led 9-8 with 2:08 remaining in the quarter.
Following Clark’s scoring outburst, Williams responded with a trifecta and a steal and layup for a 13-9 Stryker advantage.
Stryker led 15-12 after the first quarter, but the Eagles were able to close the gap to one point, 23-22, on a three-pointer by Alex St. John from the left side. A rebound basket by Rivas enabled the Panthers to take a 25-22 lead into halftime.
Leading by just three points entering the third quarter, Stryker’s defense forced several North Central turnovers in a span of nearly four minutes, and the result was a 13-0 scoring run for the Panthers.
Once the Panthers got on an offensive roll, their lead swelled by as many as 16 points, 38-22, on a short jumper by Cody Stewart, forcing North Central to call a timeout at the 4:39 mark of the third quarter.
The Eagles finally ended their scoring drought when Kendon Brigle hit one of two free throws at the 4:18 mark of the quarter.
Freshman Easton Fidler connected on the Eagles’ lone field goal in the quarter with a rebound bucket with 2:25 remaining.
With Stryker leading by 17 points, 43-26, at the end of three quarters, North Central would slowly climb back into the game.
After a three-pointer by Fidler to begin the fourth quarter, Jackson Poynter scored eight consecutive points in a 15-4 run, and the Eagles found themselves down by six points, 47-41, on a jumper by Talen Reinbolt.
North Central was able to pull to within five points, 50-45, on a Poynter layup before Donovan finished it off for Stryker, scoring eight unanswered points including 6 of 8 from the line and a free throw by Capps, giving the Panthers the 12-point win.
“We knew that North Central is coached really well, and they were very aggressive defensively,” said Woolace.
“We were able to break their pressure and get some nice easy buckets. Especially in that third quarter, when we went on our run, it was a big deal.”
Stryker’s defensive pressure was stellar against one of the top scorers in the BBC in North Central’s Zack Whitley, who was held to just six points before fouling out late in the game.
“He’s (Whitley) is one heck of a player and is explosive,” said Woolace. “Our game plan was to make sure to know where he is all the time and when he’s driving, we made sure we had two guys on him.
“I thought we did a great job of that, and the guys away from it did not allow open shots, making sure we’re cutting down and knocking down the passes.”
Donovan led all scorers with 25 points, and Williams added 16 for Stryker. The Panthers were 21 of 48 for 43 percent from the field and 12 of 19 for 63 percent from the stripe. They had 18 rebounds and 16 turnovers.
Poynter led North Central with 15 points and Clark added 10. The Eagles were 19 of 40 for 47 percent from the floor, but 5 of 14 for 35 percent from the line. They had 24 rebounds and 20 turnovers.
NORTH CENTRAL (47) – Taylor 0; Whitley 6; Poynter 15, T. Meyers 0; Reinbolt 2; A. Meyers 3; St. John 3; Clark 10; Fidler 8; Totals: 15-4-5 – 47
STRYKER (59) – Atkinson 0; Donovan 25; Ab. Batterson 0; Williams 16; Juillard 0; Capps 9; Rivas 2; An. Batterson 3; Ramon 0; Stewart 4; Lloyd 0; Gonzalez 0; Totals 16-5-12 – 59
NCHS 12 10 4 21 – 47
SHS 15 10 18 16 – 59