Rockets win in overtime to make it 4-of-last-5

Preston Turley got 7 points in OT

MARION, Ky. – Crittenden County fell behind early in a low-scoring affair, but beat McLean County 56-50 in overtime.

The Rockets trailed by six in the first half and took their first lead in third quarter on a basket by Tyler Boone. Crittenden built a six-point lead in the fourth period, but second-chance baskets let the Cougars back into it in the final seconds and the game went into overtime.

Preston Turley scored seven of his game-high 26 points in the extra period as the Rockets improved to 5-4 on the season. 

McLean fell to 6-4.

Preston Morgeson scored 11 points for the Rockets before fouling out late. Nine of his points came from behind the arc.

Crittenden has won four of its last five games after starting the season 1-3.

McLean County 10 17 25 45 50
Crittenden Co. 7 15 30 45 45    56    
MCLEAN - Phillips 12, Larken 3, Floyd, Arnold 11, Dame 10, Lee, Brackett 14, Hampton. FG 16. 3-pointers 2. FT 16-22.
CRITTENDEN - Morgeson 11, Champion 2, Winders, Mott 6, Boone 9, Dobyns 2, Turley 26. FG 21. 3-pointers 3 (Morgeson). FT 11-16.

Rockets fall by one in nail-biter at home

MARION, Ky. – Crittenden County tied the game in the closing seconds on an acrobatic bucket by Gabe Mott, but Caldwell County’s Jabrion Spikes made one of two foul shots with 2.7 seconds to go, lifting Caldwell County to a one-point win.

Crittenden was able to run a final inbounds play in its front court and had a good look at the basket but failed to score. The Tigers won it 55-54, sweeping the Rockets in two games this season.

Mot scored 21 to lead CCHS while Spikes had 25 for Caldwell.

The Rockets (4-4) host McLean County (6-3) Saturday in a 5:30pm tipoff.

Caldwell County 14 35 45 55
Crittenden C. 16 26 42 54
CALDWELL - Bumpus 6, Branch 8, Spikes 25, Co.Whittington 3, Co.Whittington 6, Riley, Viverette, VanHooser 7. FG 16. 3-pointers 6 (Bumpus 2, Branch 2, Co.Whittington 2). FT 17-31.
CRITTENDEN - Morgeson 10, Champion 2, Mott 21, Boone 9, Turley 12, Winders, Dobyns, Carlson. FG 22. 3-pointers 4 (Mott 2, Morgeson 2). FT 6-11.

Lady Rocket sophomore Guess joins 1,000-point club

BARDWELL, Ky. – Sophomore guard Taylor Guess became the Lady Rockets’ 10th member of the 1,000-point club with a technical foul shot in the second period, and Crittenden County went on to win 62-54 on the road at Carlisle County.

Guess is also the school’s 10th leading scorer in team history.

Senior Jaelyn Duncan scored a team-high 16 for CCHS while Guess added 14 and senior Nahla Woodward a dozen.

Crittenden Co. 21 36 48 62
Carlisle Co. 10 25 38 54
CRITTENDEN - Guess 14, Smith 5, Moss 10, Duncan 16, Woodward 12, Easley 3, Conyer 2, Hatfield, Perryman. FG 24. 3-pointers none. FT 14-22.
CARLISLE - Curlin 19, Whitaker 3, McGee 4, Wright 2, Gibson 7, Jones 10, Hall 9. FG 19. 3-pointers 3. FT 13-22.

Lady Rockets edge Trigg to go 3-0 in district

Senior Casey Easley guards Trigg's Iyanna Gibbs.

MARION, Ky. – Crittenden County senior center Nahla Woodward scored 11 of her game-high 15 points in the pivotal fourth period as Crittenden County came from behind at home Tuesday to beat Trigg County 41-40 in a key Fifth District matchup.

Woodward sank three treys in the last quarter as the Lady Rockets made their move. Crittenden got behind by eight early in the game and trailed by the same margin when the fourth period began.

Crittenden guard Taylor Guess got 7 of her 11 points in the final frame and she’s now seven points from reaching the 1,000-point milestone.

Crittenden shot well from floor, making half of their two-point fielders. Trigg was equally as good from the floor, but couldn’t get a basket when it needed one most. The Lady Wildcats had the ball in their front court twice in the final seconds, but couldn’t get the go-ahead bucket.

Crittenden is now 7-2 after winning its first six games of the season. Snapping their two-game losing skid against Fifth District foe Trigg County was a tremendous win for the Lady Rockets, now 3-0 and in the district driver’s seat after the first half of the league schedule. The postseason tournament will be seeded via first meetings in regular-season play, so Crittenden will be the No. 1 seed for the Fifth District Tournament. CCHS is ranked No. 3 in the region.

Trigg fell to 5-4 and 0-1 in district play.

Crittenden County was scheduled to play Hopkins Central on Saturday, but the Lady Storm canceled the matchup because of the pandemic. The Lady Rockets are trying to find a makeup game late this week.

Trigg County 10 19 29 40
Crittenden Co. 6 14 21 41
TRIGG - Noffsinger 11, Hyde, Grubbs 6, Barbee, L.Grubbs, Phillips 10, Reynolds 13. 3-pointers 2 (Noffsinger). FG 15. FT 8-16.
CRITTENDEN - Guess 11, Smith 4, Moss 1, Duncan 10, Woodward 15, Hatfield, Perryman, Conyer, Easley. FG 16. 3-pointers 3 (Woodward). FT 6-13.

Rockets win 3rd straight, knocking of Trigg

CADIZ, Ky. – Crittenden County got 46 points from seniors Gabe Mott and Tyler Boone as the Rockets won a critical Fifth District game that puts the CCHS in second-place in the league after round one of Fifth District play.

The game was close the whole way before the Rockets pulled ahead in the closing minutes as Mott and Boone scored 16 of their points in the final frame.

The Rockets, who have won three straight, are now 4-3 overall and 2-1 in league play, which ties up the No. 2 seed for the post-season Fifth District Tournament. 

Trigg is now 3-4 and 0-1 in district action.

Crittenden Co. 18 32 50 75
Trigg County 15 34 47 69
CRITTENDEN - Morgeson 11, Champion 9, Winders 4, Mott 23, Boone 23, Dobyns, Carlson, Turley 5. FG 29. 3-pointers 9 (Morgeson 3, Mott 3, Champion). FT 10-16.
TRIGG - Vaughn 7, Ladd 21, Thompson 18, T.Ahart 6, Adams 14, Reynolds 3, D.Ahart, Parham. FG 26. 3-pointers 6 (Thompson 2, T.Ahart 2, Reynolds). FT 11-19.

Rocket press helps notch second straight win

Gabe Mott led CCHS with 18 points.

MARION, Ky. – Crittenden County’s pressing defense is becoming a staple of its success. For the past two games, the Rockets have played a pressure-style defense that’s paying dividends.

Crittenden beat Whitesville Trinity 74-61 Saturday afternoon in a game that was probably not as close as the final score indicated. 

The Rockets got 18 and 16 points from its backcourt, Gabe Mott and Preston Morgeson, respectively, and insiders Tyler Boone had 14 and Preston Turley 10, despite some early foul issues that limited his first-half minutes.

Crittenden will be at Trigg County on Tuesday for a Fifth District matchup. The Rockets are 3-3 overall and 1-1 in league play. Trigg is also 3-3, but this will be the Wildcats’ district opener.

Whitesville Trinity 7 22 33 61
Crittenden County 16 39 58 74
TRINITY – Aull 2, Dickens 11, Smith 9, Huff 17, Payne, Goetz, Hernandez 4, Hatfield 2, White 16. FG 24. 3-pointers 8. FT 2-8.
CRITTENDEN - Morgeson 16, Champion 9, Winders 1, Mott 18, Boone 14, Dobyns 6, Carlson, Turley 10. FT 26. 3-pointers 6 (Dobyns 2, Morgeson 2, Mott 2). FT 16-24. 

Lady Rockets fall at McLean County

CALHOUN, Ky. – Turnovers and unforced errors were among the biggest problems for Crittenden’s girls in a game Saturday afternoon at McLean County. The Lady Rockets led early but lost 52-43.

CCHS had won six straight out of the chute, plus the All A Classic regional title, but lost for the second straight game at McLean. A big part of the issue is likely that Crittenden trying to retool its starting lineup now that guard Natalie Boone is out for the season due to injury. 

McLean deployed a zone press that was affective against the CCHS girls and the Lady Cougars shot well while Crittenden didn’t rebound very good on the offensive end.

Taylor Guess led Crittenden with 19 points. 

McLean improved to 3-3 on the season. Crittenden will host Trigg County on Tuesday in a Fifth District game. Trigg is 5-3 on the season. 

Crittenden Co. 12 19 33 43
McLean County 8 23 34 52
CRITTENDEN - Guess 19, Smith 2, Moss 6, Duncan 7, Woodward 6, Hatfield 3, Perryman, Easley, Conyer, Long. FG 15. 3-pointers none. FT 13-19.
MCLEAN - Christian 2, Walker 22, Galloway, Patterson 3, Owens 5, McMahon 11, Rush-Owen 9. FG 20. 3-pointers 1. FT 11-19.

Lady Rockets lose for first time this season

MARION, Ky. – It took Calloway County an extra period to get it done, but the Lady Lakers came to Rocket Arena Tuesday night and handed Crittenden County's girls their first loss of the season.

The game was tied at 50 at the end of regulation, and Crittenden scored the first points of overtime, but couldn't hold on, losing 63-59.

Taylor Guess scored 25 for the Lady Rockets. Calloway had two players with more than 20 points. 

The Lady Lakers are now 5-2 and Crittenden County is 6-1.

Crittenden 18 23 33 50 59
Calloway 15 30 38 50 63
CRITTENDEN – Guess 25, Smith 2, Moss 6, Duncan 10, Woodward 16, Hatfield, Easley, Perryman, Conyer. FG 21. 3-pointers (Guess). FT 12-18.
CALLOWAY – Carson 25, Clark 6, Waller 26, Schumacher 4, Futrell 2. FG 19. 3-pointers 6 (Carson 2, Waller 2, Clark 2). FT 19-24.

Rockets beat Livingston in district showdown

Gabe Mott had 20 against Livingston.

MARION, Ky. – Crittenden County pulled away in the third period to beat Livingston Central 62-39, using its defense to jumpstart an offense that had been a bit cool in recent games.

Gabe Mott scored 20 points and Preston Morgeson added 14 to lead the Rockets, now 2-3 overall and 1-1 in Fifth District play.

The Cardinals (1-3, 0-1) were led by Nolan Zaim’s 19 points.

Crittenden’s half-court zone and pressing defense held Livingston to just five points in the pivotal third period when the Rockets went ahead 43-26 and never looked back.

The Rockets play at Madisonville Friday.

Livingston 5 21 26 39
Crittenden 15 29 43 62
LIVINGSTON - Downey 7, Barnes 6, Schutte, Kitchens 3, Zaim 19, Calendar, Rains, Wring 4, Walton, Joyce, Schmitt, Thomason, Walton. FG 15. 3-pinters 2 (Barnes). FT 7-9.
CRITTENDEN - Morgeson 14, Champion 4, Winders 2, Mott 20, Beverly, Davidson, Boone 6, Adamson, Dobyns 3, Carlson 2, Derrington, 2, Guess, Turley 9. FG 26. 3-pointers 5 (Mott 2, Morgeson 2, Dobyns). FT 5-6.

Woodward scores 26 in All A championship win

Nahla Woodward scored a game-high 25
points to help with a championship.

SMITHLAND, Ky. – Senior Nahla Woodward brought her A-game to the floor Saturday and helped lift the Lady Rockets to their seventh regional championship in the All A Classic.

In a closely contested ballgame, Crittenden pulled away late buoyed by a key three-pointer by Woodward. The senior center scored 14 points in the pivotal fourth period as the Lady Rockets beat Lyon County 41-35.

Crittenden, undefeated through five games this season and ranked 4th in the Second Region media poll, advances to the All A Classic State Tournament next month in Richmond. 

The Lady Rockets last won the Second Region small-school tournament in 2017. They also captured regional crowns in 1998, 1999, 2001 and 2011.

With playmaker and leading scorer Taylor Guess struggling offensively from the floor, the Lady Rockets looked inside where Woodward was a dominant force. Guess, who averages 16 points, had only one fielder in the game, but Woodward posted up on the block for most of her game-high 26. They didn’t come easy, however, as she was hounded by double teams and robust post defense by Lyon’s Colista Collins.

Woodward, a regular on the varsity squad since she was in middle school, didn’t score a point in Crittenden’s semifinal win over Dawson Springs. She had averaged just six in Crittenden’s first five games. Woodward is typically a double-digit scorer, but in this pandemic climate it had been difficult for her to get into an offensive rhythm. She got on track at the right time.

Senior Chandler Moss took a turn cutting
down the nets after the game.

“She had her best offensive game of the year,” 27-year Lady Rocket coach Shannon Hodge said, particularly with the pressure put on her by Collins. 

“That was a fun battle to watch between the two big girls, but Nahla really collected herself, held her composure, and put the ball in the hole, especially there at the end when we really needed it.”

Woodward was in middle school, but a member of the last Lady Rockets' Class A regional championship team.

“It feels amazing. Last time I had been through (a regional final) was in eighth grade and that was just as amazing,” Woodward said after cutting down the nets.

Senior Chandler Moss also was a big contributor, getting all of her nine points in the second half. Her scoring was made even more crucial after sophomore guard Natalie Boone left the game in the third period with an injury. During play, she stepped on a shoe that inadvertently came off of a Lyon player, and apparently damaged her Achille’s ligament. Boone never returned to the game, and coach Hodge lamented the thought of not having her as Crittenden moves forward this season.

“It was an emotional loss losing Natalie Boone. We really depend on her stability offensively,” Hodge said. “I’m not really sure about (the extent) her injury.”

Lyon (3-2) led by as many as three points at several junctures, but it was a one-point game much of the way until Crittenden went ahead for good late in the fourth period. Both of Lyon’s losses this season have come at the hands Crittenden County. The Lady Rockets beat them by 13 in the Fifth District and season-opener at Eddyville.

“Every time we meet Lyon County in a tournament situation like this it’s an epic battle,” coach Hodge said. “I’m just proud of these girls, proud to be here and it’s a great moment for Lady Rocket basketball.”

The All A Classic State Tournament will be held starting Feb. 15 at Eastern Kentucky University's McBrayer Arena. Crittenden County will play Newport Central Catholic in the opening round.

Lyon County 7 13 23 35
Crittenden Co. 8 12 23 41
LYON – Butler, Matthews 3, Smith 14, Wynn 3, Collins 10, Defew 1, Perry 4. FG 15. 3-pointers 1 (Wynn). FT 4-13.
CRITTENDEN - Guess 6, Moss 9, Woodward 26, Duncan, Boone, Smith, Hatfield, Conyer. FG 15. 3-pointers 1 (Woodward). FT 10-17.

Rockets can't find rhythm in All A loss

Rocket Ben Dobyns get tangled up with
Caldwell's Tripp Branch.

EDDYVILLE, Ky. – Perhaps the Rockets never found their rhythm because of 23 fouls called against them, but turnovers at critical times in the waning seconds allowed Caldwell County to post a comeback 49-47 win over Crittenden County in Friday’s All A Classic semifinal game.

Rocket center Preston Turley was plagued by foul trouble which limited his playing time. He finished with just six points – 14 below his average. 

Crittenden led by as many as seven, and Caldwell took its first lead of the game, 42-41, with four minutes to play.

The contest was tied twice down the stretch before Jabrion Spikes put his Tigers ahead for good at the foul line in the final minute.

Caldwell advances to play host Lyon County in Saturday’s 7 p.m., All A championship game at Eddyville.

Caldwell County 11 19 34 49
Crittenden County 15 24 36 47
CALDWELL - Bumphus, Branch 13, Spikes 17, Carter Whittington 6, Collin Whittington 3, Riley 4, Vivrette, Vanhooser 6. FG 16. 3-poitners 4 (Branch 2, Vanhooser, Collin Whittington). FT 13-28. 
CRITTENDEN - Morgeson 8, Champion 7, Winderse, Mott 12, Boone 9, Adamson, Dobyns, Carlson 2, Turley 9. FG 18. 3-pointers 4 (Morgeson 2, Champion, Boone). FT 7-14.

Watch Rockets in All A action tonight, Saturday

Crittenden County's basketball boys will be playing Caldwell County tonight in the All A Classic semifinal round at Lyon County.

The winner advances to play the tournament host Lyons at 7pm Saturday. 

Friday night's semifinal game will be broadcast live on YouTube, courtesy of Lyon County's channel. Go here to watch. The championship game will also be broadcast on Saturday night.

The girls' championship game in the All A Classic on Saturday at Livingston Central will be broadcast at The Press YouTube Channel.

Friday Night Boys Semifinal Watch on the Lyon County YouTube Network

Saturday Girls' Championship Game on CrittendenPress YouTube Channel

Saturday Boys' Championship Game on Lyon County YouTube Network

Lady Rocket advance to All A Classic championship

SMITHLAND, Ky. – Crittenden County is one win from capturing its seventh All A Class Second Region title after knocking off Dawson Springs 54-27 in the semifinal round Thursday at Livingston Central’s gym.

The Lady Rockets routed the Lady Panthers, jumping ahead 22-6 in the early going and turning on a running clock in the third period.

Senior Chandler Moss led the charge with 16 points for CCHS and sophomore Taylor Guess added 15.

Sophomore guard Natalie Boone, who is recovering from a knee injury, did not play in Thursday's semifinal. She's questionable for Saturday's championship. 

Crittenden will Lyon County on Saturday at Smithland. Championship game time is tentatively set for 4pm. 

The Crittenden Press will broadcast the Class A championship live on its YouTube channel.

Crittenden County last won the All A regional title in 2017.

Dawson Springs 6 9 21 27
Crittenden County 22 37 48 54
DAWSON - Drennan 1, Putman, Back 2,Oldham 6, Harper 6, Ward 10, Hoffhines, Huddleston. FG 9. 3-pointers none. FT 9-14.
CRITTENDEN - Guess 15, Smith 2, Moss 16, Duncan 2, Woodward, Hatfield 6, Perryman 2, Easley 4, Conyer 7. FG 23. 3-pointers 1 (Guess). FT 7-13.

Rockets fall to Muhlenberg; play in All A Friday

 The boys hosted Muhlenberg County in COVID-substituted game for one they lost from the schedule this week. Crittenden lost 71-53 to the Mustangs, who drained 10 treys. Preson Turley scored a game-high 27 for the Rockets.

Crittenden County is now 1-2 on the season. The boys received a first-round bye in the All A Classic and will play Caldwell County  on Friday in the semifinal round at Lyon County. Winner plays Lyon in title game Saturday.

Muhlenberg Co. 16 31 54 71
Crittenden Co. 15 27 35 53
MUHLENBERG - Lovell 11, Rose 3, Divine 13, Summers, Lovan 18, Carver, Vincent 18, Johnston, McCoy 8. FG 24. 3-pointers 10. FT 13-18.
CRITTENDEN - Morgeson 5, Champion 2, Winders, Mott 11, Beverly, Boone 8, Adamson, Dobyns, Carlson, Derrington, Turley 27. 3-pointers 2 (Morgeson, Mott). FT 9-14.

Lady Rockets win in All A opener

HOPKINSVILLE, Ky – Freshman Riley Smith scored a team-high 15 points as Crittenden County pulled away early against University Heights to win the opening round of the All A Classic at Hopkinsville Monday night.

The Lady Rockets advance to Thursday's semifinal round, which will be played at Livingston Central.

Crittenden has won six All A regional championships. The last in 2017.

Crittenden County 26 42 60 70
University Heights 12 21 25 32
CRITTENDEN - Guess 8, Boone, Moss 2, Duncan 14, Woodward 9, Smith 15, Hatfield 6, Perryman 2, Easley 5, Conyer 9, Tapp. FG 30. 3-pointers none. FT 10-22.
UHA - Agree, Daniel 3, Davis 23, Smith, Bass 2, Northington 4, Litchfield. FG 11. 3-pointers 1 (Davis). FT 9-16.

Crittenden sweeps Union on hardwood

MARION, Ky.  – Crittenden County swept a doubleheader from Union County on Saturday at Marion.

The Rockets beat the Braves by four and the CCHS girls won by one in a barn-burner in the "old gym."

Due to pandemic protocol, the boys played in Rocket Arena and the girls in the middle school gym.

BOYS GAME
Union County 11 27 46 64
Crittenden Co. 11 34 59 68
UNION - Corbet 2, MacKey 7, Hughes 4, Kanipe 4, Johnson 4, King 5, Manuel 35, Mayes 4, K.Manuel. FG 22. 3-pointers (Manuel 4, MacKey). FT 15-21.
CRITTENDEN - Morgeson 9, Champion, Winders, Mott 12, Boone 12, Adamson, Dobyns 9, Carlson 6, Turley 20. FG 23. 3-pointers 4 (Morgeson, Dobyns 3). FT 18-30.

GIRLS GAME
UNION 15 25 33 39
CRITTENDEN11 22 31 40
Crittenden – Taylor Guess 15, Jaelyn Duncan 8, Natalie Boone 8, Chandler Moss 8, Brylee Conyer 1, Addie Hatfield, Riley Smith, Nahla Woodward, Lilly Perryman FG: 15. Fouls: 11. Free Throws: 10-14.
Union – Jralee Roberson 9, Mati Hagan, Reese Hagan 1, Madison Morris 9, Raelle Beaven 3, Amelia Mackey 13, Ella Gough. FG: 15. 3-Pointers 3: (Morris 1, Mackey 2). Fouls: 10. Free Throws: 6-13

Lady Rockets take win at home against Livingston

Livingston 9 16 23 30 Crittenden 15 27 50 61 LIVINGSTON- Lauren Wring 12, Maggie Downey 2, Victoria Joiner 4, Kennedy Croft, Emersyn Ramage 5, Aubrey Leahy 4, Erica Quertermous 2, Mikaela Holeman 1, Hadley Hargove, Kaliegh Valandingham, Yvonne Flores, Jody Gingerich. CRITTENDEN - Taylor Guess 19, Natalie Boone 6, Chandler Moss 2, Jaelyn Duncan 12, Nahla Woodward 12, Riley Smith 9, Addie Hatfield, Lilly Perryman, Kacie Easley, Brylee Conyer 1, Jaylen Tapp.

Lady Rockets open with district win

Crittenden 13 28 47 54

Lyon Co. 6 18 30 41

CRITTENDEN - Taylor Guess 24, Natalie Boone 10, Chandler Moss 4, Jaelyn Duncan 5, Nahla Woodward 8, Riley Smith, Addie Hatfield, Lilly Perryman, Kacie Easley 1, Brylee Conyer 2. 

LYON - Merritt, Butler 8, Matthews 2, Smith 7, Wynn 2, Collins 18, Dykes 2, Defew 2, Holland, Perry. 

Rockets fall to Lyon in season opener

Lyon 19 36 60 78

Crittenden 16 34 50 57

LYON – Whalin 4, Reddick 14, Parker 2, Perry 25, Bingham 5, B. Shoulders 14, J. Shoulders 14. FG: 31 3-pointers 7 (Reddick 3, Perry, Bingham, B. Shoulders 2) Fouls 8 Free Throws 9-12

CRITTENDEN – Champion, Winders, Mott 7, Boone 10, Beverly, Derrington, Guess, Adamson 2, Dobyns 9, Carlson 2, Morgeson 14, Turley 13. FG: 24 3-pointers: 8 (Mott, Dobyns 3, Morgeson 4). Fouls 9 Free Throws 1-1