The 2005 and 2006 Pendleton Wildcat varsity basketball teams battled it out in the "Game of Champions" on Saturday, June 3, 2006, at the Pendleton County High School. The 2005 team emerged victorious by a score of 62-56. They were led in scoring by Keaton Belcher (Belmont University) who scored 25 points. He also had two spectacular dunks that awed the crowd in attendance. Pictured above: (l-r) Coach Brad Cox, Coach Jon Wirth, Abram Crozier, Dustin Bishop, Terry Davis, Jeff Gibson, Pat Elliott, Tyler Mains, Kane Belcher, Jon Elrod, Keaton Belcher, Josh Hampton, Brad Veirs, Ben Gosney, Joey Verax, Mason O'Hara, Bhishma Desai, Head Coach Buddy Biggs, Coach Chad Simms. Photo by Jackie Vaughn.

The following cheerleaders participated in the "Game of Champions" on Saturday, June 3 at Pendleton County High School. In no particular order: Krystal Owens, Stephanie Schlueter, Destinee Taylor, Taylor Caswell, Lauren Jones, Whitney Davidson, Lyndsey English, Brittany Bishop, Nikki Hundley, Megan Lee, Taylor Neikirk, Brianna Wood, Kelsey Yelton, Kendall Wolfe, Marissa Bishop, Kayla Sexton, Rachel Adams, Bradie Griffin, Kayla Wolfe, Jessica Owens, Meghan Pleasant, Kia Owens, Jami Antrobus, Felicia Orme, Sarah Owens, Brittany Rowe, Kyla Vater, Lacy Wright, Jennifer King, Mallory Fontenot, Ashley Hutchison, Jillian Roberts, Whitney Nordheim and Justyne Richardson, Kyle Williams - mascot. Photo by Jackie Vaughn.

The Jeff Wyler Automotive Group donated a big screen television set, as well as other prizes, to be raffled off during half-time of the "Game of Champions". All proceeds went to the Pendleton County Athletic Park. The lucky winner of the T.V. was Mr. Steve Thomas. Pictured above: (l-r) Steve Thomas, Jerry Gordon - Sales Consultant, Jeff Wyler Automotive Group, and Tina Gordon. Photo by J. Vaughn.

Several people won nice prizes by participating in the raffle which was held during half-time of the "Game of Champions" on Saturday, June 3. All proceeds went to the Pendleton County Athletic Park. Pictured above: (l-r) Jimmy Gregg - radio/CD player, Barth Johnson - four Cincinnati Reds tickets, Pendleton County Superintendent Bob Yost, Steve Thomas - big screen television, Melvin Morgan - bed liner. Jerry Gordon - Sales Consultant, Jeff Wyler Automotive Group, Pendleton County Recreation Commission Chairperson Jeff Aulick, Judge Executive Henry Bertram. Not pictured: Brandon Gregg - basketball, Jimmy Godman - oil change, David Tackett - bed liner. Photo by Jackie Vaughn.

2005 and 2006 Wildcat teams battle it out in "Game of Champions"

By Jackie Vaughn, Reporter

The 2005 and 2006 Pendleton County Wildcats basketball teams squared-off against each other in the "Game of Champions", sponsored by the Pendleton County Athletic Park, on Saturday, June 3.

In front of a nice crowd at the Pendleton County High School, the teams battled it for the fan's enjoyment and also to determine which one of them was the dominant force between the two.

The 2005 team, dressed in black, was coached by Buddy Biggs and Brad Cox while Chad Simms and Jon Wirth took up the skipper duties for the 2006 team, which was outfitted in white.

It was a typical Wildcat game as both teams showed what made them so successful over the past two years.

In the first quarter, the 2005 Wildcats came out blazing hot just like they did so many times in their march to the Sweet Sixteen. Led by Keaton Belcher's (Belmont University) three-point shots and outstanding dunk the 2005 team overpowered the 2006 team throughout the quarter. At the end of the first quarter, the score was 21-9 in favor of the 2005 team.

The 2005 team continued to dominate in the second quarter with Keaton Belcher, Mason O'Hara (Thomas More College), and Joey Verax (Transylvania University) reliving the magic that made them so successful. They outscored the 2006 team 15-10 in the second quarter to take an impressive 36-19 lead into half-time.

It was the 2006 team's turn to show their stuff in the third quarter. They came out determined and displayed two of the traits that made them winners - teamwork and a "never say die" attitude. They worked together to score 24 points while holding the 2005 team to only 13 points. After three quarters of play, the score was 49 for the 2005 team and 43 for the 2006 team.

The two teams fought it out throughout the fourth quarter with neither gaining an advantage over the other. The 2006 team, led by Tyler Mains (North Greenville University) and Pat Elliott (Berea College), were able to pull within 4 points with only 55 seconds remaining in the contest but that's as close as they would come. The 2005 team held off the late-quarter threat to win the game, not to mention bragging rights, by the final score of 62-56.

At the end of the contest, everybody stood and gave the two teams a well-earned round of applause, thanking them for an exciting game and two unforgettable seasons of Wildcat basketball.

Those participating on the 2005 team were: Keaton Belcher (25 pts), Josh Hampton (9 pts), Mason O'Hara (14 pts), Joey Verax (12 pts), Bhishma Desai (2 pts), Ben Gosney and Brad Veirs.

Those playing on the 2006 team were: Tyler Mains (14 pts), Pat Elliott (9 pts), Kane Belcher (7 pts), Jon Elrod (Georgetown University - 7 pts), Jeff Gibson (7 pts), Dustin Bishop (5 pts), Terry Davis (4 pts) and Abram Crozier (3 pts).

Funds raised from this event will be used to secure matching funds from the state towards completion of Phase 1 of the Pendleton Athletic Park.

A special thanks goes out to the following people: Jeff Wyler Automotive Group, Judge Executive Henry Bertram, Steve Thomas, Jeff Aulick, Missy Osborne, Lisa Ruschman, Judy Elrod, Buddy Biggs, Tom Woofter and Kay Mudd.