The Paden City and Tyler Consolidated High School varsity boys basketball teams began their season last week with each able to tuck a win in their pocket. With both teams now participating at the Class A level, not only will they face off with each other this season, but likely see most of the same opponents both during the season and in post season play.

Paden City

The Wildcats playing with only eight on the roster have gone undefeated in the first three games of the season thus far, gaining wins over Hundred, Valley and Tyler Consolidated.

At Hundred on Dec. 10 the ‘Cats took little time in downing the Hornets in the cross county match-up, with three players double-doubling on the night to get the win, 84-26.

Junior Kennedy Cain double-doubled with 25 points and 11 boards. He was also credited with six assists and four steals. Sophomore Luke Cooper put up 19 points and had 11 rebounds, three assists, three steals and a block; Zach Heasley scored 18, had 11 boards, five assists, four steals and three blocks; Craig Allen scored 11 points, had five rebounds, two assists and four steals; Deven Price, eight points, four rebounds, three assists, three steals; Hayden Hizer, three points, four rebounds, four assists and three steals.

The ‘Cats hosted the Bob and Sharon Burton Classic Basketball Tournament on Dec. 13-14, and for the second year in a row, came out on top to collect the first place trophy, defeating Valley in the semi-finals and the Consolidated Knights in the championship.

Against Valley on the first night of the tournament, Paden City jumped out to a quick 18-9 lead in the first and led by 14 points by half-time. Despite a fourth quarter scoring surge by the Lumberjacks, the ‘Cats held fast to their lead, eventually taking the win, 62-50.

Cain led all scorers in the game with 16 points in the game. He totaled nine games, had two assists and two steals as well. Team mate Heasley put 15 points on the scoreboard, hauled in 11 boards, three assists, three steals and three blocks; freshman Hizer added 13 points, had four rebounds, eight assists a steal and a block; Cooper scored 12, had 10 rebounds; five assists, one steal and a block; Allen, four points, four rebounds, one assists, three steals; Price, two points, one steal.

In the championship game, Paden City handed the loss to Tyler Consolidated 74-57 to win back to back championships.

Cain led the Green and White on the night with 25 points and seven rebounds in front of a huge crowd at Bob Burton Gymnasium. Cooper chipped in 23 points and had nine boards for the home team while Heasley scored seven points, had eight assists and nine rebounds.

For the Silver Knights, senior Cole Kocher scored 16 points and fellow senior, Dylan Reynolds 11.

Members of the all-tournament team announced were Heasley, Cooper and Cain from Paden City, Jace Reed and Kocher from Consolidated; Trey Streets and Triston Kocher from Valley; and Holden Moore of Hundred.

Paden City played host to Williamstown on Dec. 17 and will travel to Marietta to take part in the Alexander Hoops tournament on Dec. 21.

Tyler Consolidated

The Silver Knights only two outings of the week were at the Paden City tournament, where the team defeated Hundred in the opening game on Dec. 13 and were defeated by the home team in the championship on Saturday.

Against the Hornets, the Silver took an early lead and did not hesitate on their way to the 70-32 win.

Cole Kocher led all Knight scorers in the game with 19 points, four assists and five steals; freshman Jace Reed added 16 points and had four assists; and Reynolds scored 14.

This week the Silver Knights played host to St. Marys on Dec. 17; will host Doddridge on Friday and travel to Parkersburg Catholic on Dec. 21.