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PADEN CITY -- In his second year in charge of the Wildcats' boys' basketball team, Paden City coach Jarrel Bailey enters the campaign with three returning starters from a team that struggled to do the little things and finish games a season ago.
Senior Joey Baker (6-1, power forward) leads the way, but could be limited early in the season with an injury. Classmates Mickey Guerra (5-10, point guard) and Jeremiah Thomas (6-1, power forward) are also back in the starting lineup. Baker averaged five points a game last season with Guerra around nine and Thomas eight.
The two new starters will be sophomores Brayden Neff (5-11, shooting guard) and Jessup Hidgins (5-11, guard).
Rounding out the roster will be sophomores Riley Dennis (6-0, guard) and Skyler Wright (6-1, forward) along with freshmen Jason Wilcox (6-0, forward) and Cannon Matheny (6-0, forward).
There is also a pair of junior exchange students in Mohammed Cerkaoui (6-0, guard) and Phillip Eichhorst (6-3, forward).
Gone from last year's team are leading scorer Adri Lila (15 ppg) and Osker Leatonen.
Kelly Sine will be Bailey's assistant coach.
"Our focus for the upcoming season is going to be to do the little things fundamentally," Bailey said. "Most of our losses last year were self-inflicted. Our goal is to be fundamentally sound throughout the season and finish games strong.
"The three seniors will be our leaders and all are going to be expected to accept bigger scoring roles this year. The two exchange students we have are also welcome additions to the team.
"Our sophomore class has really developed nicely over the off-season and I expect big things from all of them while we have a pair of hard-working freshmen with high ceilings.
"We are still finding our identity as a team, but I am certain these young men will give this school, the coaches and the community everything they have. Our main goals this year are to get to the OVAC championship game and to get down to states, just as they always are."
The Wildcats will open on December 8 when county rival Valley pays a visit. However, five of their initial eight games are on the road.