Joel Moore

Paden City was at home on Saturday, December 18, against Union High School in boys basketball action. The Wildcats who fell to Valley two nights earlier came up with a big play to get the win Saturday as they outclawed the Tigers from Mount Storm 36-35 to get their second and move to 2-4 on the season.

The Cats fell behind in the first quarter 11-9 as the Tigers came out an hit a couple three’s early, but Joey Baker hit a long ball for the home team, and two baskets by Mickey Guerra and a bucket by Brandon Hizer kept Paden City in the game. The Wildcats outscored the visitors eight to seven in the second frame as each team had several turnovers and found it tough to get the ball in the basket. At the half the count was 18-17 Union.

The third quarter was a tight one with each team knocking in 13 and Union leading by one entering the fourth quarter. Wildcat guard Joel Moore hit for seven markers in the quarter while Shane Anderson pitched in two buckets and Hizer added a basket. With the visitors still up one 31-30, Paden City tightened up on defense and held the Tigers to just one field goal and two free throws, while Moore connected on a long three and sank two from the charity stripe. Anderson sank a free throw to give Paden City a 6-5 advantage in the fourth and the Cat’s clawed out the win.

Moore ended with 14 on the day, he also had six rebounds, three assists and two steals in an all-around good performance. He was backed by Anderson with seven points, Hizer with six, Baker with five, and Guerra with four. Hizer also grabbed seven rebounds, two steals and added two blocks. Baker had five boards, an assist and a steal. Anderson was big on the boards pulling down 13 rebounds, and adding a block and an assist. Guerra grabbed nine rebounds and added an assists The Wildcats made 15-48 field goals and went 4-6 from the free throw line.

Union had the games leading scorer with Daniel Savage knocking in 20 points including five 3-pointers.

Clay Battelle wins over Wildcats

Paden City was looking for it’s second win on the season Monday night, December 13, at home against Clay Battelle, but the visitors brought their A-Game to town and downed the Wildcats 55-31 to drop the Cats to 1-3 on the young season.

The Cats put forth a good effort, but the talented Cee Bee’s were to much as they led from early in the contest through the entire game. Junior guard Joel Moore who is averaging around 20 points a game was the only Wildcat to reach double figures as he knocked in 12 points and added six rebounds to lead the team.

” Our guys played our guts out tonight. Clay Battelle is a very good team. I’m really proud of the heart my boys showed. Especially Brandon Hizer and Shane Anderson playing against their bigs,” said Paden City Coach Dave Riggle.

Clay Battelle had the top scorer in the game with Payton hitting for 14 including four three’s. Moore and Jeremiah Thomas each had a three pointer for Paden City. Shane Anderson added five points for the Wildcats, while Mickey Guerra also had a three and ended with five markers. Joey Baker added four points to the scorebook and grabbed six rebounds.

Paden City hit 11 field goals in the contest and went 4-6 from the free throw line. They also had 19 rebounds as a team and turned the ball over 11 times. Clay Battelle canned 19 field goals and was 11-17 from the charity stripe.