Jackson Embry knows a thing or two about Wayne’s longstanding rivalry with Stratford High School.

Embry has experienced it as both a Bulldogs player and coach.

“Being from Wayne, I’ve played in that game a lot of times, in all sports,” he told The Register. “I have a ton of respect for coach (Ray) Ardery, and he’s a mentor to me so to compete against him and always have good games makes us better.”

Victories over the Stratford Bulldogs are hard to come by. Only twice since 2005 has Wayne prevailed in basketball, and Embry was the coach both times.

That’s what made Friday night’s come-from-behind road win extra special for Embry and the Wayne Bulldogs, even though the schools no longer play in the same conference.

Ben Fisher led a third-quarter comeback for the ages, making five 3-point baskets and scoring 17 of Wayne’s 30 third-quarter points in a 66-60 win.

Fisher finished with 34 points for Wayne (9-7).

“We were down at the half and in the third quarter made some adjustments offensively,” Embry said.

Sophomore guard Langstyn McClendon had six early rebounds but also picked up two quick fouls and played only four minutes in the first half.

Stratford took advantage and led 33-25 at the break.

“They kind of were able to take us apart in the post,” he said. “We had to play small and they’re pretty big.”

McClendon returned in the third quarter and hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer to cap Wayne’s 30-11 scoring run. He finished with 12 points and 14 rebounds.

The Bulldogs had an easier time with Springer on homecoming.

The Bulldogs cruised to a 77-36 win Jan. 13.

All 15 players saw action and 14 scored, Embry said.

“The coolest thing was seeing our top seven guys that usually don’t come off the floor, seeing them switch roles and cheering on the guys that usually don’t get the minutes,” he said. “That was a pretty cool thing.”

Girls

The Wayne girls’ team defeated Springer 44-19 for a homecoming sweep but lost to Class 2A No. 6 Stratford 68-42 on Friday.

For Wayne it was the second lopsided win against Springer in eight days.

The Bulldogs also won 55-15 at the South Central Conference Tournament in Thackerville on Jan. 8

Embry played his starters in the first quarter and about three minutes of the third quarter in the rematch.

“We only have 10 girls, so those other five got to play 21 minutes and kind of got some in-game experience, which was good for them,” he said.

Against Stratford, Wayne fell behind 22-9 but went on a 9-0 run to pull within 22-18 with about a minute left in the first half.

Stratford, however, answered with a 13-0 run to extend the lead to 35-18 at halftime.

“Instead of 22-18 it’s 35-18,” Embry said. “Thirteen points in 59 seconds, that hurt us a lot. It was kind of the perfect storm for them.”

Taelyn Ringwald scored 13 points, Audra Watts added 10 and Natalie Knoblach had nine points for Wayne (8-7).

The girls’ and boys’ teams are competing in the Grady County Conference Tournament, which began Wednesday in Dibble.