Pictured are members of the Paden City boys basketball team.

By BRUCE CRAWFORD

Sports Writer

The Paden City boys basketball team has a new sheriff in town, in David Riggle along with deputy Jeremy Joy to lead the Wildcats. Riggle and Joy saw their young guys win the Mason-Dixon Shootout over the summer beating Tyler Consolidated two of three, which included a 57-56 thriller in the championship game.

PCHS seniors (5-10) Walter Joy, (6-0) Nicholas Clarke, (6-0) Jason Anderson, (6-2) Paxton Pierce, (5-8) Robert Taylor and (6-0) and Caleb Howell look to carry the load, but they also return juniors (6-1) Ty Cain and (5-10) sharp-shooter Carson Palmer in a making of a spirited bunch of upper-class-men.

The Cats lost their top two players from a year ago to graduation in Matt Saxon, Trey Slider which will hurt, however, coaches Riggle and Joy have (6-2) Shane Anderson and (6-0) Brandon Hizer at their disposal to ease the loss a bit.

In-coming freshmen (5-7) Hunter Fulks, (6-0) down-town specialist Joel Moore and (5-8) spark-plug Will McGinnis will also be vying for playing time.

“These guys are doing a great job for us so far, and have learned a bunch from playing summer ball and we look forward to launching this group into the regular season,” said Riggle.

Jason Anderson played great basketball late last season, he and Cain look to be the inside guys, while Cain who can also deliver from the outside. Walter Joy is another out-side shooter who can knock down the three-ball from anywhere past the half-court line, and is a good passer as well. Palmer as well as Nicholas Clarke look to round out the starting five, but don’t be surprised to see Taylor, Pierce, Howell and Shane Anderson.

The Wildcats will open the season Dec. 10 at Valley (Wetzel), with the junior varsity tip-off at 6 p.m. Their first home game is on Dec, 12 against the Blue Devils of Beallsville, Ohio, also at 6 p.m.

Projected record is 7-15