Valley and Paden City battle for position

Visiting Valley picked up their first win of the season on Thursday, December 16, 56-42 on the Cats home floor.

Behind the hot shooting of freshman sensation Gavin Derby, the Lumberjacks took a three point lead at the end of the first quarter and extended it to eight at the break.

Paden City cut into the lead by one in the third period, but Valley put the game away in the fourth frame with a 20-11 advantage to get the win.

The Lumberjacks were hot from beyond the 3-point line as they canned seven threes with Patrick Higginbotham drilling four and Derby sinking three.

The Wildcats got a 3-pointer from Joel Moore and Mickey Guerra. Valley sank 20 field goals and hit on 9-10 from the free throw line, while the Wildcats knocked in17 from the floor and made good on 6-9 from the charity stripe.

Derby was the game leading scorer as he dropped in 21 points on the night and added three steals. Higginbotham had 14 points and Isaiah Bassett hit double figures with 10.

Also scoring for the visitors were Brigg Anderson with five, Walker Bassett with four, and Beau Wyatt with two.

Paden City was led by junior Joel Moore with a team high 15 points, while senior forward Brandon Hizer had a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds. Guerra added seven points, while Shane Anderson hit for five, and Joey Baker got four.

Valley moves to 1-3 with the win, while the Wildcats fall to1-4.