Luke Cooper

Gaining more “W’s” than “L’s” so far this 8-2 season of theirs, the Paden City High School boys basketball team is sparking some interest in the game by local fans once again. The ‘Cats have played several contests at home in the last week in front of a nice hometown crowd, which is always a plus for a team.

After losses to Valley and St. John Central the previous week, the Paden City Wildcats turned their game around in a big way last week, taking the win over Williamstown on Jan. 2 at home, 54-52.

The ‘Cats started out on fire, outscoring their visitors 10-8 in the first period of play. In the second, however, the Jackets made their presence known on the court, blocking shots and stepping up their offense enough to lead by 10 at the half, 33-22.

In the second half, the Green and White took charge of the game once again, owning their own home court in order to not only catch-up with the Maroon, but surpass them in the last minute of the game to take the 54-52 win.

“It was a great game,” said Paden City Head Coach Fred King. “We were just on.”

With sharpshooting sophomore, Kennedy Cain being denied his shot most of the night, freshman Luke Cooper stepped up to lead the Wildcats with 17 points. He also brought down seven rebounds and had two steals in the game. Zach Heasley added 16 points, had four assists, nine rebounds and a steal; Cain turned in 11 on his scorecard, was credited with two assists, nine rebounds and a steal; Drew Bidwell, six points, four rebounds, one steal; and Brandon Cross added four points and had two rebounds.

At home again on Jan. 4, the ‘Cats easily took the win over the Lions of East Richland Christian, 65-26, with three players hitting the double figure mark on the night.

Cain was on his game with a double/double, scoring 23 points for the home team and bringing down 11 boards. He also had three assists, blocked a shot and was credited with one steal. Heasley also double/doubled, scoring 17 points and hauling in 10 rebounds. He also had two assists and a block; Cooper, 12 points, two assists, a blocked shot, nine rebounds, and three steals; Bidwell, six points, three assists, two rebounds and a steal; Cross, four points, two steals; Kane Pyles, two points, two blocked shots and four rebounds; Allen, one point, two rebounds; Levi Meadows, one assist, two rebounds and a steal; and Deven Price contributed two assists and one rebound.

The ‘Cats were back at it again on Jan. 5 at Bob Burton Gymnasium, where exacting their revenge on the Irish of St. John Central by taking the win, 56-40.

In the lead at the half to the tune of 37-23, a sluggish four point third period performance put a scare in the home team, but they bounced back with a solid fourth quarter to take the 56-40 win.

Cain was the top scorer for Paden City with 19 points; three assists, six rebounds and two steals. Cooper scored 14, had five rebounds and two steals; Heasley, 11 points, 10 rebounds, and two assists; Allen, eight points; Bidwell, two points, one assist, six rebounds and two steals; and Cross two points, two rebounds.

The Wildcats played host to Bishop Donahue in Paden City on Jan. 8 and will travel to Bishop to return the favor on Jan. 22.