Paden City’s boys varsity basketball team has been one of the busiest teams around in the last week, playing four games in five days. With the end of the season looming on Wednesday, the team will begin Sectional play next week.

At Wheeling Central on Feb. 18, the Maroon Knights outlasted the ‘Cats, taking the win, 69-51.

Paden City had the lead after one full period of play, 20-13 as well as at the half, 29-26. The Maroon Knights came on strong in the second half however, outscoring the Wildcats in both of the last quarters on the game in order to take the 69-51 win.

Junior Kennedy Cain led all Wildcat scorers in the game with 18. Cain also was credited with two rebounds, three assists and a block in the game. Zach Heasley turned in a nice effort at the basket as well, scoring 16 points, bringing down three rebounds, assisting twice and blocking two shots. Luke Cooper scored 11 points, had four rebounds, two assists and four blocks; Craig Allen added two points, had three rebounds and four assists; and Hayden Hizer scored four points, brought down nine rebounds, assisted six times and stole the ball once.

On Feb. 19 the ‘Cats took on St. John Central at Paden City, pocketing the win, 76-65. A nice first half by the Wildcats, with 49 points on the scoreboard, paved the way for them in the second half when they only totaled 27, but enough for the win over the Irish.

The ‘Cats were led again by shooting sensations Cain and Heasley with 25 and 21 points respectively. Cain also hauled in 10 rebounds and had three assists while Heasley pulled down six rebounds, had four assists, four steals and blocked three shots.

Cooper contributed 17 points, had six rebounds, three assists and two blocks; Allen came through with seven points, had two rebounds, three assists and two steals; Hizer had four points, three rebounds and five assists; and Deven Price scored two points, had five assists and two steals.

At Paden city on Feb. 21, the Green and White played host to the upriver Magnolia Blue Eagles who were still stinging from an earlier season defeat by the upstart ‘Cats. With a standing room only crowd in attendance, the home team stayed with the Eagles throughout the first half, behind by only nine at the half, 33-24. The Eagles held their lead in the second half however, taking the win when all was said and done, 63-45.

Cain paced the home team with 15 points in the game. He also had seven rebounds, one assist and a steal; Cooper added 12 points, four rebounds and had three blocks; Hizer scored nine, had one rebound, five assists and two steals; Allen scored four points, had one rebound and four assists; and Heasley added three points, had five rebounds, four assists, one steal and blocked two Magnolia shots.

The Wildcats came close, but wound up with the 45-40 loss against Meadow Bridge in the West Virginia Hometown Invitational Tournament at Midland Trail on Feb. 22.

Meadow Bridge defense held the ‘Cats to only 12 points in the first half, forcing them to play catch-up ball in the second half but the other Wildcats decided to stall the ball. Paden City turned up the heat in the scoring department, but it was too-little-too-late giving Meadow Bridge the win and the tournament championship.

Cain topped all Paden City scorers in the game with 20 points and was named MVP of the team. He also pulled down 11 rebounds and had two assists. Heasley scored 11 and had nine rebounds, three steals and blocked two shots; Cooper was credited with four points, seven rebounds, two assists, two steals and three blocks; Allen had three rebounds; and Price chipped in one assist for the good of the team.

On Monday the ‘Cats hosted Weirton Madonna, running a good race, but eventually falling to the Blue Dons at Paden City, 62-44.

Cain, Heasley and Cooper each scored in double figures for the team posting 17, 14 and 11 points up respectively.

The team will advance to Sectionals next week.