Christmas came early for the Paden City Lady Wildcats basketball team as they picked up their first win since the 2006-07 season.

The win came against the Wood County Christian Wildcats Dec. 22, as the Lady ‘Cats played their last game before the holiday break.

“I’m just extremely happy for these girls,” said Kelly Sine, who also got his first win as head coach. “They’ve worked out. They’ve played summer league. They’ve conditioned all fall. It’s a victory for them. It’s a really nice Christmas present for these kids who have worked really hard.”

It didn’t come easy, as Wood County forced Paden City to come from behind, and still the visitors had a chance to tie or win the game in the final seconds.

Still, the Green and White came ready to play a complete game. They took an early first quarter lead behind scores from Alli Bertozzi, Amy Toman, and Shauna Durant in the first few minutes of the game. But, WCC was able to keep up and tie the score at 10-10 at the end of the stanza.

In the second quarter, WCC made a run with a few field goals and a stout defense that limited Paden City and denied them of any field goals of their own. Paden City would get close, but only score a single foul shot while Wood County went to the locker room with a 17-11 lead.

After Wood County scored the first points of the second half, another basket by Toman brought Paden City within six again. But, the visitors knocked down a 3-point shot that gave the hosts their biggest deficit of the night.

They just wouldn’t quit, however, a couple of Bertozzi foul shots, a 3-pointer by Sasha Newson, and a layup by Courtney Conaway brought the score to 22-20.

WCC buffered its lead a little more in the final quarter before Paden City made their game-winning run. It included Bertozzi making a basket and foul shots that brought Paden City within one point at 25-24. Durant then drove the lane to lay it in to give her ‘Cats the lead for the first time since the first quarter. She scored again to make it 29-26.

The teams would exchange points until it was 32-32 with just over a minute to play to set up the exciting finish.

After being held scoreless for the game, Amanda Tallman hit the game-winning basket with 52 seconds left. WCC’s chance to tie or win the game failed when Bertozzi brought down the rebound with three seconds left. The ensuing foul shots sealed the 36-32 win for Paden City.

Bertozzi finished with a game high 15 points. Not only was she a force on offense, but Wood County didn’t have an answer for her altogether as she earned a double-double pulling down 15 rebounds.

“When that ball goes up, if she’s not getting undercut, she’s got the rebound,” said Sine.

Durant had six points, Newson finished with five and Toman had four points. Tallman, Conaway, and Amanda Heasley each had two points.

*****

Unfortunately, Paden City had the opportunity to get their first win at Hundred Thursday night in Mason-Dixon Conference action, but couldn’t pull off the victory.

The Wildcats held a 20-19 lead at the half – their first in two seasons as well. But a 28-point barrage by the Hornets took the wind out of the sails of Paden City who were now down by 15.

The Lady ‘Cats were able to outscore Hundred 12-8 in the final quarter, but it wasn’t enough, as the Hornets scored the 55-44 win.

The Wildcats had three players in double figures with Bertozzi scoring 15 points, Tallman scoring 11, and Newson scoring 10 including two 3-point shots. Bertozzi recorded another double double with an eye-popping 21 rebounds.

The game served as Hundred’s first win. The Hornets received double digit nights from Chelsea Kuhn with 15 points and Macy Woods with 14. Both Raven McDiffitt and Nancy Cumberledge scored nine points, followed by Jordyn Gorby with eight points.