The Paden City boys varsity basketball team traveled to Bellaire on Jan. 7 to take on the Irish on their own home court, and giving them quite the battle as the Wildcats fell to their hosts in overtime, 52-53.

The game was an intense contest from the get-go with St. John’s leading by only two after the first period of play, 8-6 and Paden City taking the lead at the half, 21-19.

In the third period, both the ‘Cats and Irish answered each other point for point, with neither team taking a dominant lead. At the end of regulation time, the teams were tied at 44. The home team managed to sink an extra foul shot to outscore their visitors in the end, thus taking the 53-52 win.

Paden City freshman, Kennedy Cain, was on fire throughout the night, sinking 22 points, grabbing eight rebounds, five steals, and one assist. Fellow freshman, Zach Heasley, chipped in 11 points, pulled down six rebounds, had one steal, and one assist; Craig Allen, six points, two rebounds, three steals.

Drew Bidwell scored five points, five rebounds, one steal; Jamie Billiter, four points, three rebounds, one steal, two assists; Kane Pyles, two points, two rebounds; Brandon Cross, two points, four rebounds, two steals; and Geoffrey Bidwell, one rebound.

The Wildcats played host to Bishop Donahue on Jan. 10 and will head to Beallsville on Jan. 13. On Jan. 14 the ‘Cats will host St. John Central at Bob Burton Gymnasium at 2:30 p.m.