Crittenden County Basketball: That's a Winner! Lady Rockets going to Final 8

Coach Hodge makes a point during timeout in OT

Senior Cassidy Moss played an incredible game defensively, scored 18 points and was a determined bull down the stretch as Crittenden County beat Sayre 45-42 in the All A Classic State Tournament at Frankfort.

Crittenden had been to the state All A tournament five times previous but had never won a game. That all changed with an overtime victory capped by tenacious defense, a patient offense, good foul shooting and ball handling in the waning seconds.

The Lady Rockets struggled at times around the basket in front of 6-foot-1 Sayre center Kaya Davis and her two 5-foot-11 running mates. But in the end, the Lady Rockets were unguarded and at the line for 7 of their final 13 points.

Davis blocked 4 shots in the contest and her 5-foot-11 teammates knocked down 2 more.

Junior Madison Champion continues to be a key offensive cog. She put in a dozen against Sayre. Champion dropped in 3 of 10 from the floor and 5 of 8 at the foul line. She and Kiana Nesbitt each had five rebounds and Nesbitt scored a key basket after gathering in a loose ball late in overtime.

Sophomore Mauri Collins kept Crittenden on pace early with 8 of the team's first 10 points. She finished with 9.

Moss had 7 rebounds as Crittenden, somewhat surprisingly, beat the taller Lady Spartans 24-18 on the boards.

Sayre coach Charles Thomas said his team committed some costly turnovers late in the game, but praised Moss for keeping pressure on Davis, who came in averaging 18 points and 12 rebounds. She got 16 points and 8 rebounds.

Hodge agreed that Moss's defense was key to the victory. She said Champion's offensive contributions continue to be central to Crittenden's recent success, which includes four wins in the All A Classic tournament series and eight straight victories.

The Lady Rockets are now 17-3.

GAME SUMMARY