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Wildcats host Burton tourn.

By Staff | Dec 14, 2011

One win in three outings is where the Paden City High School varsity boys basketball team stands at this early point of the 2011-12 season. The ‘Cats have faced off with Hundred twice and Valley once, grabbing the win over the Hornets on Dec. 10.

Paden City fell to the Hornets of Hundred, at Hundred in the debut of the 2011/12 season on Dec. 6, 63-61.

The Wildcats had the advantage after the first period of play, tacking 15 points on the scoreboard to their hosts’ 12. In the second however, Hundred took control on the offensive side of the ball, taking the lead at the half, 29-25.

Though the two teams battled for control throughout the second half, the Blue wound up with the win, thanks to a few missed opportunities by the Green.

“We just ran out of time. If we make our foul shots we win,” said Wildcat head coach Fred King. “We are still a little wet behind the ears, but we learn from this game and move forward and try to get better every day.”

For the visiting Wildcats, a pair of freshmen scored 43 of the ‘Cats 61-points. Kennedy Cain led the way with 23-points, while Zach Heasley knocked in 20-markers, including a pair of three point baskets. They both grabbed eight rebounds apiece, while another freshman Craig Allen followed with six-points. Jamie Billiter netted four-points, while Kane Pyles, Brandon Cross, Geoffrey and Drew Bidwell all tallied two-points for Paden City.

The Paden City varsity boys basketball team hosted the Bob and Sharon Burton Christmas Class Tournament at Paden City on Dec. 9-10, winding up with third place finish when all was said and done.

At Bob Burton Gymnasium on Friday the first match-up of the evening between Wood County Christian and Hundred was a blow out with Wood County coming out ahead, 86-35 in order to make the finals.

In the second match-up of the evening, the home town ‘Cats took on the Valley Lumberjacks, falling to their cross county rivals, 64-52. The two teams were closely matched throughout the game, with the Jacks putting together a 21 point second quarter to take the half time lead, 33-24. Valley’s defense held the ‘Cats close, disallowing open shots at the basket to keep the Green down. By game’s end, Paden City found ways to score, but still came up short on the scoreboard, to head for consolations in their own tournament.

Brandon Cross led all Paden City scorers in the game with 14 points. He also had two rebounds, one steal and one assist. Heasley scored 11 points in the contest, was credited with one rebound, two blocks, two steals and three assists; Cain added four points and had two boards; Allen scored six, had six rebounds and two assists; Trey Leonard, six points, six rebounds, one assist; Geoffrey bidwell, four points, four rebounds, one steal and one assist; Billiter scored two, had two rebounds, one steal; Kane Pyles, one point, one rebound.

Consolations were played first on Saturday night in front of the home town crowd and the ‘Cats did not disappoint. Coach Fred King’s charges came from behind in the second period of play to take the important win, 59-49, to earn their first “W” of the year.

The Green outscored the Blue 16-9 to take the slight lead at the half, 29-26. Neither team put on a scoring extravaganza in the third period, but in the third, the Wildcats made their shots count, as they wound up with the win, and a third place finish in their tournament.

Senior Geoffrey Bidwell was the man to beat in the scoring dept. for the home team, putting 22 markers on the scoreboard. He also brought down eight boards, stole the ball once and had one assist. Freshman Zach Heasley turned in a good performance as well, with 14 points, three rebounds, one block and two assists. The two Wildcat players were named to the tournament all-tournament team.

Also scoring for the Green were Drew Bidwell, 12 points, two rebounds, two steals and three assists; Allen, three points, three rebounds, one block, one assist; Cain, three points, six rebounds, one block; Leonard, three points, seven rebounds, two steals; Billiter, two points, three rebounds, one steal; and Pyles, one rebound.

In between the consolation and championship games of the tournament, Paden City faithful recognized the 25th anniversary of their own 1987 West Virginia State boys basketball championship team. Members of the team, along with assistant coaches Jamie Natali and Jeff Bowers and head coach Bob Burton, were honored.

In the championship game, Wood County took the win over Valley for the 2011 title.

The Wildcats played at Cameron on Tuesday and will see action again at home vs. Beallsville on Dec. 17.