Myah Charkawi - Kayla Barker

The end of the 2013/14 West Virginia High School Basketball season came last week, with teams moving onto Sectional tournament play soon after. Tyler Consolidated’s Lady Knights and Paden City’s Lady Wildcats each took their turn at Sectional opponents on Feb. 22 at Tyler Consolidated. Paden City ended their season at the tournament while the Knights move on for at least one more game.

Lady Wildcats

In the first round of Section I Sectional play on Feb. 22 at Tyler Consolidated, the Paden City Lady Wildcats faced off with the Lady Cee-Bees of Clay-Battelle in what was sure to be one of the most exciting games of the tournament. The two teams played to a 43-43 tie at the end of regulation time and then continued the battle in the overtime period until the Lady Cee-Bees knocked two in to get the win, 49-48.

Held to only four points in the first period of play, Paden City took their time settling into their roles and came out in the second period with a vengeance. With their lead scorer, senior Myah Charkawi, out for the game due to injury, Head Coach David Riggle said his team was unsettled at the beginning of the game, having to play without the senior.

“We have depended on Myah all year, she’s our go-to girl on the court, and the girls were just upset and a little nervous to have to play without her,” he said. “But I’m so proud of the way they bounced back and took control of the game. They really stepped up and showed their determination.”

Kayla Barker - Sydney Reed - Taylor Cosper

“We were down by 15 at one point, and to come back to tie up the score and almost win in a tight overtime period was unbelievable.”

“We lost the game, and sure, we’d have liked to have won, but I’ll say again, that I’ve never been more proud of this group of girls. We were so close, and they never gave up.”

Junior Cydney Blatt had a game high 23 points in the contest, powered down 14 rebounds, and blocked a shot. Hannah Stanley contributed nine points, six rebounds; Taylor Cosper added seven points, had three rebounds and a block; Kayla Barker scored five points, had three rebounds and two steals; Kayla Hizer, four points, six rebounds, one steal; Chelsea Baker, one rebound; Darien Ritchie, one rebound; and Katie Shreves brought down one rebound.

The loss in the tournament brought an end to Paden City’s 13/14 season with a season record of 9-14.

Before the Sectional, the Lady ‘Cats played two games to end the regular season. On Feb. 19 the team took a loss to Tyler Consolidated 69-40.

Cydney Blatt - Sophie Kinnard

Charkawi led the Green and White in scoring with 22 points in the game; Shreves had six; Cosper, six; Blatt, four; and Kayla Barker, two.

On Feb. 18 Paden City celebrated their two seniors on the team, Myah Charkawi and Katie Shreves and their families, immediately before their last home game of the season with Clay-Battelle.

In a close contest, the Lady Cee-Bees pulled out the win in the long run, defeating the ‘Cats 51-48 at Bob Burton Gymnasium.

Charkawi lit up the scoreboard for the Green and White with 26 points on the night. Cosper scored eight; Blatt, seven; Hannah Stanley, four; and Barker, three.

In his first year as Head Coach David Riggle said he was more than pleased with his teams’ success and endeavors throughout the season.

“This is a group of hard working, caring teammates,” he said. “They’ve grown and learned so much this year. Though we’ll be without our two seniors next year, I have every faith that our juniors and underclassmen will continue to work hard in the off season in order for us to have continued success next year.”

“I’m so proud of this team and very proud to have been their coach.”

Lady Knights

The Lady Knights of Tyler Consolidated started off their Section I Sectional tournament on the plus side with a win in the first round over Valley, 70-24.

Not only did the Lady Knights get the win and were able to advance in the tournament, they also had a player hit the 1,000 point mark in her high school career during the game. Senior Sydney Reed tossed up a three-pointer from the right wing position to top 1,000 points.

“We’re so proud of Sydney,” said head coach of the Silver, Matt Kinnard. “I’m glad she was able to hit 1,000 not only before the end of the season, but here on our own home court. She’s worked hard and deserves the recognition.”

In the game with the Lady Lumber Jills, the Knight defense held the Gold and Black to single digits in every period of play, allowing only two points to be scored in the first period.

Reed led all scorers in the game with 23 points. Sophomore Ariel Fish lit up the scoreboard with 12 points; Vanessa Templeton had 10 points; Sophie Kinnard, eight points; Hillary Casteel, seven points; Kylie Martin, six points; Sydney Yoho, two points; and Breanna Yeater added two points.

In their last regular season game on Feb. 19, the Lady Knights played host to Paden City, handing the Green and White the loss 69-40.

Immediately preceding the game, the basketball program recognized the three seniors on the team, Hillary Casteel, Sydney Reed and Sophie Kinnard, and their families, for their commitment to the program over the past four years.

Reed totaled 30 points on the night; Kinnard had 22; Sydney Yoho, four; Templeton, four; Fish, three; Yeater, two; Katelyn Gogan, two; and Hillary Casteel, two.

The Lady Knights saw further action in the Section I tournament on Feb. 21 in Paden City, going up against an always unpredictable Morgantown Trinity team. The winner of this game will play the winner of the St. Marys/Clay-Battelle game on Feb. 24 in Paden City.

Both teams playing on Friday will advance to the Regional Tournament the following week, where the first and second place teams from that tournament will advance to the State play-offs.