Last week, the Wayne Bulldogs hosted Stratford for Homecoming on Friday night and were in Davis on Tuesday.

Friday night was a close, 64-54 loss to the other Bulldogs.

Wayne outscored Stratford in the first quarter 15-6.

“We came out hot offensively. We didn’t expect their starting lineup and they didn’t expect us to play zone defense, which gave them fits,” said head coach Jackson Embry.

Stratford recovered offensively and outscored Wayne 23-18 in the second. But, Wayne still held a four point lead at the break.

“We got complacent in the second half. We were getting shots we liked, but couldn’t get the bumps.

“Seems like if we’re shooting well, we get soft defensively and it’s important that we get both our offense and defense gelled together,” Embry said.

Due to foul trouble, Ty Kemp sat for the second quarter but Brody Kemp came in and gave the Bulldogs good minutes, according to Embry.

Three guys were in double figures led by Jaxon Dill and Sloan Jackson’s 15. Ben Fisher added 13.

Ty Kemp had 12 rebounds and Fisher had nine.

Davis

Last Tuesday, Wayne picked up the 52-47 win over Davis.

“We didn’t shoot well, but that’s the best defense we’ve played all year.

“Sloan played out of his mind. Ben, Jaxon and Ty all played great and Brody got the most minutes he’s had. He was the factor we needed – he’s athletic and made plays happen for us,” Embry said.

After the first quarter, Davis held a 19-15 lead, but Wayne really buckled down and outscored them in the second, matched them in scoring in the third and outscored them in the fourth.

Ty Kemp led the Bulldogs with 17 points and 12 rebounds. Jackson joined him in double figures with 14. Dill and Fisher rounded out scoring with nine and eight, respectively.

Wayne was hosting Asher on Tuesay then scheduled to be in Healdton on Thursday for an 8:20 p.m. tip with the host team.

“Asher, and specifically coach Reimer, always has a good group. His teams have been the standard since the 90s and it’s always fun to coach against a guy like him,” Embry said.

The coach said it’ll be a tough matchup as they play sound, fundamental basketball.

In facing Healdton, Embry said his team will need to play at their pace.

“If we play solid defense and can mesh our offense and defense, we can be successful.”

Girls

Last week, the Lady Bulldogs dropped games with Davis, 65-29, and Stratford, 53-21.

“We came out against Davis and played the best half we’ve played all year and were still down 17,” head coach Jackson Embry said.

Davis scored 18 in the first quarter and 21 in the second. Wayne had 10 and 12 in the first two quarters.

“They are all athletic and their talent and depth showed.”

Madilyn Sharp led her team with 11 points while Taelyn Ringwald added 10 and Audra Watts had eight.

Friday night, for the Homecoming game, Wayne fell to Stratford.

“When we play tough competition we like to come out and throw the first punch. We had a good first quarter but as the game went on, their talent showed and they pulled away,” Embry said.

Ringwald had nine points in the loss. Watts added six, Dakota Martin had four and Sharp had two.

“We’re starting hot, but we’re young. We’re getting better each game and gaining confidence.”

The Lady Bulldogs were set to host Asher on Tuesday and play Turner in their first game of the Healdton tournament on Thursday at 11 a.m.

“We’ll have to have confidence through all four quarters and compete at a high lever to give ourselves a chance to be successful,” Embry said.