Rockets fall by one in regional quarterfinal

Gabe Mott had 11 in the 2nd period.

HOPKINSVILLE, Ky. – Despite trailing by 16 in the second half, the Rockets waged a valiant comeback attempt that fell just one point short of shocking the Second Region as University Heights prevailed 80-79 in the tournament’s opening round Monday.

Crittenden led by four early but was down two at the half. 

The Blazers went on a couple of big runs in the third period and built a considerable lead, but missed a number of foul shots down the stretch that left the door open for CCHS, which scored 31 points in a fourth-period flurry.

The Rockets trailed by five with jus over a minute to play but Preston Morgeson and Preston Turley each nailed three-pointers in the final minute, giving Crittenden a chance at the end. However, a late three missed its make, but Turley got his own rebound and scored a two-point putback as time expired.

Turley, the Rockets' senior center, finished with 31 and got 20 of those in the final period.

Senior guard Gabe Mott scored 11 points in the second quarter and finished with 19.

Crittenden played the final minutes without senior Tyler Boone, who was carried off the floor with an ankle injury and never returned.

The season ends for CCHS with a 13-10 record. The Rockets posted a winning season for the second straight year, the first time they have done that in 15 years.

UHA improved to 13-9 and will play Henderson in the regional semifinals. 

Crittenden County 16   34   48   79
University Heights 19 36 63 80
CRITTENDEN – Turley 31, Mott 19, Morgeson 13, Boone 8, Dobyns 6, Champion 2, Winders.
UHA – Bryan 23, Crump 15, McGee 13, Grubbs 13, D.J. Quarles 10, Braxton 2, Q. Quarles 2, Duncan 2.

Rockets open region at UHA Monday

Crittenden County will open regional tournament play Monday at University Heights Academy. Tipoff will be at 6:30pm.

The Rockets played UHA once this season at Hopkinsville. CCHS led by three at halftime of that matchup, but lost 61-54. UHA beat Hopkinsville in overtime this week to win its district championship.

The region’s top-ranked Lyon County Lyons will host No. 2 Hopkinsville in the first round.

Other first-round games are Webster County at Madisonville and Caldwell County at Henderson County.

All opening-round games will begin at 6:30pm.

The semifinal-round games are at 6:30pm on Wednesday and Thursday nights next week at Madisonville. and the championship game is at 6:30pm Saturday at Madisonville.

Rockets fall in Fifth District title match

CADIZ, Ky. – Crittenden County did not match Lyon County’s intensity off the starting line and fell behind by 10 in a hurry.

Lyon, the No. 1 ranked team in the Second Region, went on to beat the Rockets for a third time this season, claiming the Fifth District championship for the third time in four seasons. 

Crittenden trailed by almost 30 to start the the final period and lost 79-59.

The Rockets finished runner-up in the district tournament for the third time in four years. CCHS won the crown last in 2018 over the Lyons.

Crittenden will play in next week's first round of the Second Region Tournament against one of three district champions at the champion's home court. The pairings will be determined Friday morning. 

The regional tournament format is different this year because of the pandemic. The semifinals and championship will be held at Madisonville. 

Crittenden will face either Henderson, University Heights or Madisonville in the region’s first round. All three won their respective tournaments this week. Lyon will host its first round game.

Crittenden Co. 12 25 36 59
Lyon County 23 37 59 79
CRITTENDEN – Morgeson 16, Champion 2, Winders, Mott 8, Beverly, Davidson, Boone 5, Adamson, Dobyns 9, Derrington, Turley 19. FG 25. 3-pointers 7 (Morgeson 4, Dobyns 3). FT 2-6

LYON – Ray, Reddick 9, Parker, Perry 36, Bingham 7, Radivonyk, Baker 12, B.Shoulders 12, Haines, J.Shoulders 13, Burchett, Gilbert 2, Wilson. FG 32. 3-pointers 6 (Perry 3, Bingham, B.Shoulders 2). FT 9-12.

All Fifth District Team

Travis Perry

Jackson Shoulders

Preston Turley

Max Downey

Gabe Mott

DeVon Ladd

Jhaden Vaughn 

Tyler Boone

Brady Shoulders

Kendrick Adams

Girls' 5District Tournament postponed for COVID

Due to COVID-19 protocol, the Fifth District Girls' Tournament, which was set to begin Tuesday, March 16, has been delayed. 

The event will begin Friday, March 19 with the Lady Rockets playing Livingston Central at 5:30pm at Cadiz. Lyon and Trigg counties will play Friday's nightcap.

The girls' championship is at 7pm on Saturday at Cadiz.

Rockets beat Trigg, earn berth in 2nd region tourney

Coach Denis Hodge and Gabe Mott on the
sideline Monday at Trigg County.

CADIZ, Ky. – Crittenden County senior guard Gabe Mott scored a career high 37 points as Crittenden County earned a berth in the Second Region Tournament that begins next week.

The Rockets beat Trigg County 82-53 on the Wildcats' home floor to open Fifth District Tournament action on Monday. 

Mott scored 16 points in the first half as CCHS built a double-digit lead then staved off a Trigg three-point flurry in the third quarter to beat the Wildcats for the third time this season. 

Mott scored 13 in the fourth period, more than half coming at the foul line.

The Rockets join Lyon County, Webster County, Henderson County, Madisonville, Caldwell County, Hopkinsville and University Heights as regional tournament qualifiers. First-round regional games will be played at home sites of district champions starting Monday, and the final four will be played at Madisonville.

Trigg County 8 31 49 63

Crittenden Co. 18 40 61 82

TRIGG – Thompson 6, Ahart 6, Ladd 19, Vaughn 7, Adams 13, K.Vaughn 9, Reynolds, Parham 3. FG 23. 3-pointers 9 (Ladd 5, Thompson 2, Ahart 2). FT 7-15.

CRITTENDEN – Morgeson 12, Champion 3, Winders, Mott 37, Boone 12, Dobyns 9, Turley 9. FG 27. 3-pointers 5 (Morgeson 2, Dobyns 3). FT 23-27.

Rockets win on buzzer-beater

CALHOUN, Ky. - A tightly-guarded Preston Turley made a three-pointer from just inside the midline Friday, lifting the Rockets to a 46-45 win over McLean County.

The Rockets brought the ball into its back court with 2.7 seconds to play and Turley never gave it up before knocking down the buzzer-beater. 

CCHS closed out the regular season 12-8. McLean falls to 17-8. The Rockets bested the Cougars in overtime when they met in Marion a few weeks ago.

Crittenden will play tournament host Trigg County in Monday's 7:45pm game to open post-season Fifth District play. 

Crittenden Co. 5 20 27 46
McLean Co. 13 22 35 45
CRITTENDEN - Morgeson 13, Champion 3, Winders, Mott 13, Boone 5, Dobyns, Derrington, Turley 12. FG 18. 3-pointers 7 (Morgeson 3, Champion, Mott, Turley 2). FT 3-7.
MCLEAN – Phillips 12, Larkin, Floyd 8, Darlin 6, Riley, Dame 2, Cruz 3, Brackett 14, Hampton. FG 16. 3-pointers 5. FT 8-11.

CCHS teams win on road Thursday

Crittenden County's basketball teams both won the road Thursday, the Lady Rockets at Trigg County and Rockets at Carlisle County.

 
Crittenden Co. 16 31 45 58
Trigg County 15 27 38 50
CRITTENDEN - Guess 32, Smith 10, Moss 13, Duncan, Woodward 3, Perryman, Long. FG 21. 3-pointers 1 (Guess). FT 15-30.
TRIGG - Noffsinger 5, Hyde 3, K.Grubbs 2, Barbee, I.Grubbs 10, Phillips 10, Reynolds 20. FG 21. 3-pointers 3. FT 5-17.

Crittenden Co. 15 39 50 66
Carlisle County 7 22 34 45
CRITTENDEN - Morgeson 15, Champion 5, Winders, Mott 13, Beverly 1, Davidson, Boone 11, Adamson, Dobyns 13, Derrington, Guess, Turley 8. FG 23. 3-pointers 7 (Morgeson 2, Dobyns 4, Champion). FT 13-18.
CARLISLE – Elder 13, Latham, Bowles 2, Williams 2, Sasseen, Oliver 4, Grogan 5, Hayden 19, Martin, Kelling, Draper, Newsome. FG 12. 3-pointers 3. FT 18-22.

Rockets complete Brave sweep

Crittenden improved to 10-8 overall Monday with a 60-54 win at Union County as CCHS beat the Braves for the second times this season.

The Rockets have won three of their last four games and will play two more late this week to wrap up the unusual pandemic season. The boys play at Carlisle County on Thursday and at McLean County Friday. 

The Fifth District Tournament opens Monday at Cadiz.

Crittenden Co. 18 33 47 60
Union County 14 24 41 54
CRITTENDEN - Morgeson 11, Champion 9, Winders, Mott 17, Boone 4, Dobyns, Turley 19. FG 22. 3-pointers 6 (Champion 2, Morgeson 2, Mott, Turley). FT 10-13.
UNION – Corbett 9, Manuel 6, Mayes 2, Mackey 15, Hughes 2, King 4, Kanipe 8, Johnson 8. FG 21. 3-pointers 3 (Corbett, Mackey). FT 9-15.

Lady Rockets win Monday at Livingston

The Lady Rockets led from start to finish en route to sweeping Livingston Central in Fifth District play this season. CCHS led 23-6 out of the gate and won 51-36 Monday at Smithland.

Senior Chandler Moss led the way with 15 points while senior Nahla Woodward added 11. Lauren Wring had 23 for Livingston.

Crittenden is now 14-4 and Livingston 6-9.

Crittenden 23 37 44 51
Livingston 6 13 23 36
CRITTENDEN - Guess 7, Smith 4, Moss 15, Duncan 6, Woodward 11, Hatfield 2, Perryman 2, Easley 2, Conyer 2, Long. FG 21. 3-pointers 3 (Guess, Woodward 2). FT 6-10.
LIVINGSTON - Wring 23, Downey 9, Joiners 4, Croft, Ramage, Quertermous, Hargrove. FG 17. 3-pointers 2 (Wring, Downey). FT 0-1.

Rockets open up in 3Q at Livingston

Preston Morgeson hit 4 threes and scored
a season-high 20 points.

SMITHLAND, Ky. – Sophomore Preston Morgeson scored a season-high 20 points as Crittenden County opened up in the second half to beat Livingston Central 71-54.

The Rockets finish the regular-season Fifth District schedule with a 4-2 record. They will have the No. 2 seed when post-season play begins in a little over a week at Trigg County.

Morgeson scored eight points in the third period when Crittenden County went went on a 26-6 run to blow open a game that was close at the half. The Rockets led by two at halftime.

Senior guard Gabe Mott scored 15, senior center Preston Turley a dozen and freshman guard Travis Champion had 11. Crittenden made eight three-pointers. Morgeson nailed four of them.

The Rockets (9-8) will close out the regular season this week with road games at Union County, Carlisle County and McLean County.

Livingston, winless in district play this season, falls to 3-19 and will be the four-seed in the district tournament, facing Lyon County in the first round. Max Downey led the Cardinals with 25 points.

Crittenden 17 23 49 71
Livingston 5 21 27 54

CRITTENDEN - Morgeson 20, Champion 11, Winders, Mott 15, Beverly, Davidson, Boone 5, Adamson, Dobyns 6, Derrington, Guess, Turley 12. FG 26. 3-pointers 8 (Morgeson 4, Champion, Mott, Dobyns 2). FT 11-18.
LIVINGSTON - Kitchens 10, Barnes 3, Schutte, Calendar 6, Schmitt, Downey 25, Joyce, Zaim 2, Wring 8. FG 18. 3-pointers 6 (Downey 3, Wring 2, Barnes). FT 12-13.

Lady Rockets fall in state semifinal to Bethlehem

CCHS guard Taylor Guess drew plenty of
attention from Bethlehem's defense.

RICHMOND, Ky. – Bethlehem used its quickness and long arms and legs to control Friday’s All A Classic State Tournament semifinal, defeating the Lady Rockets 80-54.

Lady Rockets named to the All A Classic Tournament team were Jaelyn Duncan, Taylor Guess and Nahla Woodward.

Crittenden's girls made school history by winning two games in the All A Classic State Tournament for the first time in school history. It was their first ever appearance in the All A Classic final four, held on the campus of Eastern Kentucky University.

Bethlehem capitalized on two dozen Crittenden turnovers in the first half and took a 46-21 lead at halftime.

Crittenden leading scorer Taylor Guess led the Lady Rockets with 26 points. The Lady Rockets had difficulty getting the ball inside to Woodward, but she finished with 11 points, one below her season average.

Bethlehem played quickly, shot accurately and pounded the glass offensively and defensively. 

Bethlehem is the defending All A Classic state champion.

Crittenden        9 21 39 54
Bethlehem 29 46 65 80

CRITTENDEN - Guess 26, Smith 2, Moss 8, Duncan 7, Woodward 11. FG 15. 3-pointers (Guess 3, Woodard). FT 20-24.
BETHLEHEM – Smalley 15, Clayton 2, Hodges 17, Thompson 18, Miles 2, Thurmond 9, Hurst 3, Spalding 4, Miles 2, Young, Fillatreau 4, Bishop 4. FG 35, 3-pointers 3 (Thompson, Thurmond, Hurst). FT 7-11.

The Lady Rockets are presented a trophy for 
being an All A Classic state semifinalist.

Lady Rockets tipoff at 11am in All A Classic final four

 

Click Image to Enlarge

A live stream for a broadcast of Friday's All A Classic final four is being provided on the tournament's official website CLICK HERE.

Crittenden County's girls are involved in their seventh All A Classic State Tournament. This has been an historic run for the girls, earning an appearance in the final four. 

Complete post-game coverage will be provided on this website, and in-game updates will be available on the Crittenden Press Twitter feed.

Lady Rockets win fourth straight

 MARION, Ky – Crittenden Count beat Caldwell County 51-48 Tuesday for their fourth straight win.

The Lady Rockets are now 15-3 and No. 1 in the region RPI.

Taylor Guess scored 21 against Caldwell and Nahla Woodward added a dozen.

Caldwell Co. 13 21 38 48
Crittenden Co. 12 26 43 51

CALDWELL - Hollowell 4, McDaniels 2, Jaggers 14, Parker 4, Gray 10, Tyler, Butts 1, Smiley 8, AJ.Hollowell 3, Aikins, McKinney. FG 20-44. 3-pointers 4-12 (Gray 2, Jaggers, Smiley). FT 4-10.
CRITTENDEN - Guess 21, Smith, Moss 12, Duncan 6, Woodward 12, Perryman, Easley, Long. FG 21-45. 3-pointers 3-9 (Woodward 2, Guess). FT 6-7.