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Area Roundballers Tipoff Basketball Season

By Staff | Dec 23, 2009

Magnolia 60,

Ritchie County 53

The Magnolia Lady Eagles defeated the Ritchie County Rebels 60-53 in girls’ basketball action at the Magnolia HammerDome Dec. 17.

The Lady Blue outscored the Running Rebels in every period on the way to the much deserved victory.

Junior point guard Padyn Ludewig led all scorers with 23 points – her third 20 point game of the young season. She nailed one basket from beyond the arc, while dishing off a game-high six assists.

Marrissa Bosley had her best scoring game of the season, adding 20 points that included four baskets from beyond the arc. She hauled in a game-high 11 rebounds for her first double-double of the season. Abby Harlan came off the bench to add seven points and pulled down 10 rebounds, while Jordan Babe netted four markers. Dallas Mullett and Lindsay Cain each provided three points each for Magnolia.

Magnolia will try to be rude hosts when they tangle with regional foe Weirton Madonna Dec. 23 at 6 p.m. in the Blue Eagle HammerDome.

Hundred 70,

Jefferson Christian 34

The Lady Hornets limited the home-standing Jefferson County Christians to three points in the first period, while scoring 19 markers en route to a convincing 70-34 victory Dec. 12.

The Lady Hornets stung Jefferson for 21 and 22 points in the second and third periods, respectively, before cooling off in the fourth with only seven points.

However, the damage was done with the help of Jordyn Gorby’s 25 markers that included a three pointer. Backing her up was Raven McDiffitt and Macy Woods with 11 points apiece. Shayna Tedrow broke out of a mini slump to score eight points, while Katie Tennant added six and Oshana Topp five points. Topp’s scoring included a basket from beyond the arc. Lindsay Burley and Haley Hayes each tallied two points in the victory.

Paden City 46,

Bishop Donahue 69

The Paden City Wildcats played toe-to-toe with Bishop Donahue for 16 minutes, but succumbed in the second half in a 69-46 defeat Dec. 15 in McMechen.

After falling behind 14-10 after the first eight minutes of play, the Wildcats fought off the Bishops and scored the final five points in the second half to close the gap to 25-23 at the break.

Senior forward Josh Bennett got into some foul trouble and stayed on the bench for a good portion of the third period. The Bishops took advantage and headed into the final period down 11 points.

However, the Bishops went on a 16-3 run late in the fourth period to put the game out of reach.

Senior ‘Cat Malakai Anderson paced his team with a game-high 28 points, including two baskets from beyond the arc. Teammate Zach Yost followed with eight markers, while Bennett contributed seven points that also included a three pointer. Geoffery Bidwell and Taylor Still were held to two and one points, respectively.

Paden City made 14-42 shots from the floor and made 15-26 from the charity stripe, while the Bishops made 29 of 60 shots from the field and went 50 percent on 16 free throw attempts.

Paden City 16,

Bishop Donahue 53

The Lady Wildcats scored two points in each of the first two periods against the Lady Bishops Donahue and fell behind 22-4 at the break and never recovered in a 53-16 loss in McMechen, Dec. 14.

Coach Rick Bertozzi’s team didn’t get a field goal until right before the buzzer and converted only five baskets, while going only 5-12 from the charity stripe. The Lady ‘Cats also were out rebounded 43-22.

Courtney Conaway and Megan Cutlip were the high point scorers for Paden City with four points each, while Logan Cosper came off the bench to tally three markers. Amanda Heasley and Alli Bertozzi each contributed two points, while Amanda Tallman netted one point.

Valley 50,

Paden City 35

The Valley Lumberjacks prevailed 50-35 over the Paden City Wildcats in the first round of the boys’ edition of the Bob and Sharon Burton Christmas Classic Dec. 18 at Paden City High School.

The Wildcats took an initial 4-0 lead, but Valley went on a 14-point scoring run to end the first period 14-6 and increased its lead to 25-18 at the break.

It was during the third quarter that the wheels seemed to come of for the Wildcats.

The Lumberjacks cashed in on offensive rebounds and ‘Cat turnovers to outscore the home team 17-10 and cruise its way to a final period victory.

The teams were not that far apart on either rebounds or turnovers. Valley out-rebounded the Wildcats by only two boards, 42-40, and turned the ball over 10 times, compared with 14 TOs for the ‘Cats. But, nothing seemed to drop for the Wildcats, who were only 18 percent from the floor. Both teams were 55 percent from the stripe, but Valley’s was on five for nine attempts, whereas the ‘Cats made good on 11 for 20 free throws.

“We played scared to death,” said Paden City head Coach Fred King. “It was one of the worst efforts I have seen on the basketball court.”

Lumberjack Head Coach John Kocher added, “Dustin Bickerstaff did a fine job on the ‘Cats’ top player, Malakai Anderson. After the first half, we switched off and held him in check. It was a typical Paden City and Valley ball game.”

The ‘Jacks’ Alex Henderson nailed a pair of three pointers on his way to a game-high 20 points, while teammates Ronald Morris and Jeremiah Burch each added eight markers. Garrett Ueltschy contributed seven points and seven rebounds, while Matthew Poling swished a basket from beyond the arc. Clay Ueltschy and Scott Anderson each added two points to the ‘Jacks total.

Zach Yost led the Wildcats with 15 markers, that included a threeball, while Anderson made two baskets, one of which was a triple. He sunk the rest of his 11 points from the free-throw line. Josh Bennett was held to four points, while Matt Barker, Payton and Geoffrey Bidwell each netted points for the Wildcats.

It’s not known when the consolation and championship match will take place after it was set back because of the weather. However, the Wildcats played Bridgeport Tuesday and results were not available at press time. They will take on Waterford at Marietta College on Jan. 3 at 11:15 a.m.

Valley hosted Clay-Battelle as the Chronicle went to print. The ‘Jacks will travel to Weirton Madonna tonight with the junior varsity tip-off scheduled for 6 p.m.

Valley Lumberjacks 76, St. John 65

Valley Lumberjack Alex Henderson swished the cords for a career-high 33 points to help Valley win its first game of the season, 76-65, against Bellaire St. John Dec. 15 at Valley High School.

The start of the game was like the movie Fast and Furious. The Lumberjacks pushed the ball each time they were on offense and, when they were on defense, they were in their opponents’ faces.

With the pace on the fast side, there were a lot of fouls and turnovers on both sides. However, the Lumberjacks committed 14 turnovers to fall behind 33-32 on a last-second three pointer by the Irish.

In the second half of action, the ‘Jacks were still “in your face” on defense and moved the ball quite effectively in transition. However, the ‘Jacks showed patience at times and worked the offense if they weren’t already in transition. This ploy worked well, as Henderson fed off the energy and started to hit from every part of the floor, including a last-second dunk that was waved off right before the final buzzer.

After not scoring in the first period and putting up only two buckets in the second, Henderson scored 15 of his 33 points in the third period, pulling his team ahead by 10 points heading into the final frame.

The up-tempo play continued, with Valley scoring one more point than Bellaire. Henderson led all scorers with 33 points, including a basket from beyond the arc. He also swatted away four Irish shots and caused havoc around the basket with his long arms.

Garrett Ueltschy followed with 10 points, while Ron “Mercury” Morris drained nine markers for the home team. Matt Poling netted six markers, while dishing off six assists and hijacking the basketball three times. Clay Ueltschy and Travis Villers each scored four points and combined for 23 rebounds.

Dustin Bickerstaff added three points, three steals, and six assists. Jeremiah Burch drained a threeball to begin the game and left it shortly thereafter with flu like systems. Gregory Anderson finished the ‘Jacks’ scoring with a deuce.

“After turning the ball over 14 times in the first period, we only committed one in the second half,” said Valley Head Coach John Kocher. “I believe we wore them down playing the up tempo type of game, platooning 10 players. I told the boys we must play non-stop basketball for 32 minutes and give everything they have, and they did. I am so pleased the way we protected the ball in the second half.”

Paden City 58,

Hundred 52

The Lady Wildcats defeated The Hundred Lady Hornets 58-52 Dec. 17 at Bob Burton Gymnasium to win their first game of the season.

The ‘Cats won despite the Hornets making 10 more baskets. They won it from the charity stripe where they swished 33-48 free throws, compared with 7-11 for the Lady Hornets. The ‘Cats out hustled. out rebounded, and, simply put, wanted it just a little more than their guests.

Megan Cutlip played an outstanding game for the ‘Cats. She scored 17 points and caused countless turnovers with her defensive prowess. Alli Bertozzi led all scorers with 21 points and 17 rebounds, while adding four steals. She made 13-16 from the line, while Cutlip was 11-22.

Other Wildcats denting the scoreboard included Courtney Conaway with seven points, including a threeball. Erika Sapp contributed five points and played an outstanding game defensively, while teammates Amanda Tallman and Dominique Craft each chipped in with four markers.

For Hundred, Jordyn Gorby led the way with 17 points, including a basket from beyond the arc. Raven McDiffitt added 15 points and fouled out in the fourth period along with three teammates. Macy Woods contributed eight points, while Katelyn Tennant added six points. Hayley Hayes, Oshana Topp, and Emily Ebert each added two markers.

The Wildcats’ next opponent is Beallsville on the Blue Devil court Dec. 28 at 6 p.m. Meanwhile, the Lady Hornets played Jefferson Morgan as the Chronicle went to press Dec. 22. Hundred will seek redemption against the Lady Wildcats at the Hornets Nest, Jan. 4 at 7 p.m.