Rockets down Dawson Springs 51-41

Crittenden 51, Dawson Springs 41

Jan. 5

Crittenden 8 24 40 51

Dawson 12 14 25 41

Crittenden - Oliver 18, Porter 10, Gray 9, Clark 7, Nielsen 4, Highfil 3, Pierce, Gardner, Belt, Collins, Scott. FG. 20. 3-pointers 2 (Gray, Highfil). FT. 5-12. Fouls 19.

Dawson - Cobb 28, McKnight 12, Fambrough 1, Burden, Lobrodo, Miller, Bullock, Chapelle, Smiley, McWilliams. FG. 11. 3-pointers 2 (McKnight). FT. 13-19. Fouls 14.

Moving senior J. D. Gray to point guard helped the Rockets snap a four-game losing streak Tuesday night as they upended host Dawson Springs 51-41.

Gray scored nine points and handed out three assists and his move to the point also allows leading scorer Casey Oliver to move to his more natural position of off guard.

After the Rockets (3-8) fell behind 12-6 after 8:00 of action, a big 16-2 run in the second quarter ensured that they would never trail again, while winning their first road game of the season.

Crittenden stretched the lead out to 40-20 in the second half and did not allow the Panthers to ever climb back in the game afterwards.

Rocket coach Chad Hayes did not allow his team to get caught up in the Panthers’ being winless on the season. He thought they played pretty decent after a slow first quarter.

“They don’t have a win, but they have been playing alot better,” he said.

He was pleased with Gray’s play and believes it will bode well for the Rockets as the season continues.

“I felt like tonight J. D. took the next step,” said Hayes, about the senior’s most extensive work as the floor general this season.

Although Dawson only had three players to score and only made 11 field goals, going 13-of-19 at the charity stripe prevented them from being totally blown out of the contest.

Conversely, Crittenden only made 5-of-12 free throws, which is a continued area of concern for Hayes, who knows that must improve if they are to start winning on a consistent basis.

Oliver scored 18 points while senior forward Alex Porter turned in a good outing with 10 points and five rebounds.

The Rockets will try to even their league record at 2-2 tomorrow night when they travel to Smithland to face Fifth District archrival Livingston Central.

Crittenden has not defeated the Cardinals in Smithland since 2005.