Tim King, local USATF official, officiated the Throws Events, the Weight Throw and Shot Put, at the Division I NCAA Championship on March 8 and 9, 2013. The Championships were held at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

The basketball season has barely been completed and snow is still falling from the skies but PCHS is ready to kick off the spring sports with baseball and softball starting first.

Both softball and baseball full rosters will be introduced to fans, family and supporters at 6 p.m., Saturday, March 9, in the PCHS gym.  Alum are being welcomed  back for the evening as well.

Both programs are starting the season under the guidance of a new varsity coach. Aaron Biddle returns to PCHS to lead the Wildcats while Steven Peed looks to rebuild a Ladycat softball program.

While admission is free, there will be traditional ball park concessions, silent and live auctions, raffles and competition among the softball and baseball teams.

While there you can support with purchase of Kid Glove/Reds tickets, Lexington Legends tickets and raffle chances for a Nate Jones autographed Chicago White Sox jersey.

Sharp Middle School competition cheer squad placed second against six very competitive medium squad teams at the NKCCA Cheer competition Saturday, March 2. This is the second trophy in two competitions this team won this year.

PC Red Team had three 1st place finishes in the Jingle Bell Classic, AmeriCheer Open National Championship and NKCAA in a very successful season. Front row, from the left, Bella Bowen, Ava Record, Jamie Danna, Madison Sullivan, Alaynah Beard; back row, Jaelynn Caudill, Karli Colemire, Macie Peoples, Alexis Cornett, Arielle Ammerman and Aireona Ohmer.

PC Black Team had three 1st place finishes in Jingle Bell Classic, AmeriCheer Open National Championship in Rec Pee Wee Mount Traditional and NKCCA. Front row, from the left, Cheyenne Wright, Liana Haverbush, Lily Brinkdoepke, Allison Hall, Reese Barlow, Cailyn Harper, Reagan Anderson, India Trimble; middle row, Taylor Wiley, Kendall Lonaker, Delaney Aulick, Courtney Baird, Karleigh Prater, Reagan Carlisle, Caymyn Ball; back row, Cassidy Reed, Alexis Magee, Jenna Montgomery, Ciara Alford, Macy Wright, Teri Lynn Stewart, Hannah Hart, Madison Wanstrath; and not pictured: Sydney Manor and Lydia Gosney.

The 2012 fastpitch season didn’t end the way the PCHS wanted as they were unable to field nine players and compete in the district tournament, forfeiting their first round game vs Nicholas County.

“The district forfeit was the low point of the season for Fastpitch.”  Pendleton County Athletic Director Keith Smith said about the 2012 ending.

He continued, “It had potentially very tough consequences for PC.  It is a violation of KHSAA tournament rules and regulations to forfeit a district game with worse case consequences being the entire athletic program being put on probation and not able to participate in postseason play for all sports.”

“Being the Pendleton County Baseball Coach has been a dream of mine since I was a young kid,”  new varsity Wildcat baseball coach Aaron Biddle excitingly said about leading the program.

The 2001 PCHS graduate continued, “Baseball has always been a passion of mine and my heart has always been dedicated to Pendleton Baseball. I am excited and anxious to start a new tradition of PC Baseball and continue to build on the success of the past few seasons.

“My expectations for this baseball season is for the players to grow into a unified team and instill a growth mindset to never stop improving.”

He has established season goals to win in the district tournament and qualify for the regional tournament while setting long term goals to create a strong Pendleton baseball identity and bring district/region titles back home.

Ethan Moore battles for control of the ball during the tip-off of the Wildcats first round district tournament game against Harrison County on Monday, February 17. Photo by Monica Antrobus.

By Bruce Reller Jr., Reporter

The Pendleton County Wildcats district championship run is over after losing in the first round of the 38th District Tournament to Harrison County 59-40 last Monday, February 17.

“The loss was hard on the team, I do believe,” Wildcats head coach Ed Cravens said. “They had won the district for three years in a row, and I felt bad that we did not get to continue this streak.”

Ethan Moore was selected to the 38th District All-Tournament Team by WCYN. This is the first time the 38th District has honored an all-tournament. Pendleton County Wildcat varsity coach Ed Cravens said about Ethan’s selection, “His hustle and determination against Harrison County led to his selection for a very deserving honor.  We will miss Ethan and the entire senior class next season.”

The Ladycats drew the #2 ranked Bishop Brossart in the first round of the 10th Region Tournament to be played at Nicholas County.  They tip off at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, February 27.

Brossart was upset by Campbell County in the finals of the 37th District Tournament.

Also, on the bracket side for Pendleton and a possible second round match-up is 10th Region favorite, Montgomery County, or longtime rival Bracken County.  They play the game before PC on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.

The Ladycats make their third trip in four years to the region tournament under varsity coach Scott Collins. Two years ago, they make a run to the 10th Region semifinals for only the fourth time in school history.