The Buffalo Putnam Rockets outscored the Paden City Lady ‘Cats 52-22 in the two middle periods to carry them to a 80-43 victory Feb. 13 at St. Marys High School in the inaugural Girls’ Hometown Invitational Tournament Championship.

In the opening period, Logan Cosper sank a pair of deuces to keep pace with the Rockets, but fell behind, 13-8. Connoton Valley started to run away with it in the second period, outscoring Paden City 20-9 for a 33-17 lead at the break.

Cosper led the way for the ‘Cats with a pair of deuces and a charity toss, but failed to score in the second half of action.

In the third period, the Wildcat defense came away with countless Rocket turnovers that closed the gap to four points, before Buffalo Putnam pulled away with 32 third-period points.

Taylor Cosper scored six points in the period to lead the Wildcat charge. With the game already in hand, the period was played by mostly reserves. Hannah Stanley paced Paden City with a bonus bomb, a deuce, and a free throw.

“The girls fought hard,” said Paden City Head Coach Kelley Sine. “They never quit and gave me everything they had. I’m proud of each and every player. They all gave me 100 percent and that’s all you can ask for.”

Logan Cosper and Myah Charkawi each earned all-tournament team accolades for the Green. Taylor Cosper paced the Lady Wildcats with 10 points, while sister Logan netted nine markers. Charkawi followed with seven markers, 10 rebounds and five steals to lead Paden City.

In addition, Hannah Stanley shot the lights out off the bench, scoring six points, while Lynnsie Parsons tallied four markers. Kelsey Loy, Lynah Stanley, and Cydney Blatt each netted a deuce, while Kayla Barker swished a free throw. Blatt had a team-high 11 rebounds before fouling out in the fourth period.

Myah Charkawi netted 14 points to lead Paden City, but it wasn’t enough to get by Tyler Consolidated 68-40 in the Region I Section II Sectionals at Doddridge High School Feb. 16.

The Lady Knights outscored the Lady Wildcats 49-19 to take a commanding lead at the break. But, the never-say-die Wildcat girls clawed their way back, with a 15 point third quarter, while their in-your-face defense held the Silver Knight squad to eight points to close the gap a little.

However, Tyler wouldn’t have any more of that and went on to close out with a 11-7 run by their reserves to gain the nod.

Logan Cosper followed Charkawi with a dozen markers, including a pair of long range bonus bombs, while Hannah Stanley came off the bench to net seven points, including a three-bagger.

In addition, Kelsey Loy added four points, Lynah Stanley two points, and Lynssie Parsons a charity toss for the rest of the Lady Wildcat points.

Cydney Blatt didn’t score, but she hauled in a team-high eight boards, while making five steals. Taylor Cosper also didn’t score, but she added four steals and dished out three assists.

The Lady Wildcats lose seniors Logan Cosper, Lynah Stanley, Kelsey Loy, and Lynssie Parsons to graduation in the fall, but will return their top rebounder and shot blocker in Cydney Blatt; its top assists leader, Taylor Cosper; and their top scorer, Myah Charkawi.