The final basketball game played by the Paden City Wildcats inside Bob Burton Gymnasium was a powerful moment for the community, bringing together decades of memories, school pride, and shared history. After 75 years of competition on the same hardwood floor, the gym echoed with emotion as players, alumni, families, and longtime supporters gathered one last time.
The evening followed the Wetzel County Board of Education’s decision to close Paden City High School and consolidate schools beginning with the 2025–2026 academic year. For those in attendance, the game represented far more than the end of a season, it marked the close of a chapter that shaped generations of students and athletes.
Former players and coaches joined current students and staff to honor the legacy built within those walls. Over the years, Paden City basketball earned state championships and developed a reputation rooted in perseverance, teamwork, and unwavering community support.
The Wildcats concluded their final game at Bob Burton Gymnasium with a commanding 67–41 win over Beallsville, a fitting sendoff for a program defined by pride and tradition. While the gymnasium may no longer host Wildcat basketball, the spirit of Paden City athletics will continue to live on through the people and memories that defined it.
