Rocket season ends with lopsided loss at Hoptown

For Crittenden County, the reward from finishing runnerup in the Fifth District to the region’s No. 1 team – Lyon County – was an opportunity to face the region’s second best squad – Hopkinsville – in the first round of the Second Region Tournament on the Tigers’ home floor.

The playoff path beyond Crittenden’s one-point victory in the district semifinal over Trigg County last week was wrought with insurmountable odds and highly problematic for a team with an RPI 25 percent lower than either of its final two postseason opponents.

Yet, the Rockets valiantly completed their assignment Tuesday night at Hoptown, losing 82-46. Predictably, it was never close. The Tigers led by 28 points early in the second period as its pressing defense and athleticism dominated both ends of the floor. 

Crittenden’s season ends with a 14-17 mark. Hopkinsville improved to 22-6.

Crittenden Co. 9 23 41 46
Hopkinsville      31 55 75 82
CRITTENDEN - Morgeson 19, Champion 13, Beverly 2, Adamson 4, Hatfield, Crider 2, Davidson 2, Keller, Conyer, Derrington, Guess, Hutchison, Yates 1, Cooksey 3. FG 16. 3-pointers 3 (Morgeson). FT 11-21.
HOPKINSVILLE – Mercer 8, Leavell 14, Johnson 6, Smith 9, Gavin, Northington 2, Harris, Dowich 2, White 7, Williams 7, Cabiness 16, Manning 11, Dudley. FG 33. 3-pointers 5. FT 11-17.

BOYS’ SECOND REGION TOURNAMENT

OPENING ROUND RESULTS

Madisonville 81, Union Co. 75, OT

Lyon County 63, Christian Co. 51

Hopkins Central 63, Henderson Co. 52

Hopkinsville 82, Crittenden Co. 46

SEMIFINAL FINALS

Thursday, March 3 at Hopkinsville

Madisonville vs Lyon County, 6pm

Hopkins Central vs Hopkinsville 7:30pm

CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

Saturday, March 5 at Hopkinsville, 1pm