Tyler 48,

Paden City 43

In arguably the best contest they have played all year, the Paden City Wildcat Boys Basketball Team gave Tyler Consolidated all they wanted in Doddridge County Feb. 16 in the second game of the Region I, Section II tournament.

Though the ‘Cats forced a slow, concise game from the get-go, it was the Silver Knights of Tyler Consolidated coming out ahead with a 48-43 victory to end Paden City’s 2013 season.

In a low-scoring affair, missed free throws cost the ‘Cats more points in the second period when they were only able to put three points on the scoreboard. In the third frame, three three-pointers went a long way to help the Green take the lead for the first time in the game.

Though the ‘Cats battled hard – were within catching-up distance several times in the second half – the Knights’ tenacity paid off, giving them the win.

All Wildcat scorers in the game were led by sophomore Kennedy Cain, who managed a double-double, 14 points and 10 rebounds. He also had one steal, blocked a Tyler shot, and made one assist.

Luke Cooper put 10 points on the scoreboard, pulled down nine rebounds, and had one assist. Zach Heasley added nine points and four rebounds, one block, one steal, and two assists. Drew Bidwell scored six points, grabbed five rebounds, hijacked one basketball, and dished out two assists. Brandon Cross and Craig Allen each sent in two points for the ‘Cats and Allen grabbed one rebound.

Paden City will lose only one senior to graduation this year, Drew Bidwell, who has been a constant contributor on both sides of the ball. That means the Wildcats should be in good shape next season with the return of several underclassmen with vast game experience.

The loss in this sectional leaves the ‘Cats with a break-even season, 11 wins and 11 losses.

Bishop Donahue 105,

Hundred 68

The Hornets’ Rusty Morris scored a game-high 30 points in the West Virginia Section I Region I opener, but it wasn’t enough, as the Bishops Donahue prevailed 105-68 in McMechen Feb. 23.

Besides scoring 30 points, Morris hauled in 14 boards for a double-double, while Kirk Shriver followed with 17 markers, including five bonus bombs to pace the Hornets offensively.

In addition, Brandon Armstrong netted nine points that included a pair of threeballs, while Andrew King tallied five points and Chris Varner sank four points, Courtland Armstrong and Holden Moore each recorded a deuce for Hundred.

Hundred will lose its top three players to graduation in the fall with Varner, Shriver, and Morris, but will return lettermen Moore, King, Greg Stewart, Ethan Umstead, Brandon and Courtland Armstrong.

Trinity 74, Valley 52

The Valley Lumberjack boys’ basketball season came to a close when they lost the Region I Section I opener to Morgantown Trinity 74-52 Feb. 23 at Doddridge High School.

After falling behind 20-11 in the opening period, the ‘Jacks played right with the Trinity Warriors the rest of the way. But, the Warriors just had too much fire power on this night.

Triston Kocher led three Lumberjack double-digit scorers with 15 points, with Jack Wells and Trey Streets adding 11 and 10 points, respectively. Kocher added seven rebounds, two assists ,and blocked two shots, while Wells added 11 rebounds, four assists, and five blocks.

In addition, Tyler Hayes netted eight markers, that included a threeball, while Hayden Lancaster and Troy Hubbard scored five and three points, respectively.

‘The Lumberjacks will lose seniors Jordan Anderson, Tyler Hayes, and Troy Hubbard to graduation in the fall, but will return their leading scorers, Triston Kocher and Jack Wells, along with lettermen Hayden Lancaster, Trey Streets, and Peyton Palmer.