Lady Rockets headed to All A title game

HOPKINSVILLE, Ky. – Crittenden County beat University Heights by almost identical scores five days apart, but Thursday’s triumph was like a shot of mouthwash.

The Lady Rockets, favorites to win the Second Region All A Classic for the second straight year, will actually get a chance to play in the title bout this January. Last season, a semifinal round upset by host Lyon County left a year-long bitter taste on the Lady Rocket palate. 

Coach Shannon Hodge’s girls took care of business early despite missing their first four or five shots of the game. From there, senior Natalie Boone settled in to drop four three-pointers and lead a charge that built a 20-point-plus lead that lasted the entire way. Freshman Elliot Evans led CCHS with 15 points and Boone and senior Taylor Guess got 14 and 13, respectively, as Crittenden won 69-48. Last weekend, Crittenden beat UHA in a regular-season game 69-51.

“This was a huge game for us… to get back to the championship of the All A. We didn’t get there last year and that’s been a thorn in my side and I know it has especially for our seniors,” Hodge said. 

The Lady Rockets have won seven small-school regional crowns, more than any other team in the league, and Hodge remembers all of them. She also remembers the losses, particularly the sting of last year’s when her team was poised for a real shot at the title.

Now, 12 months later, Hodge and the CCHS girls are where the 30-year veteran coach believes they belong, facing another Fifth District foe in Saturday’s championship game. The winner will advance to the to All A State Tournament starting Jan. 15 in Richmond. Tipoff for this weekend’s Second Region title match 4pm Saturday in Hopkinsville at UHA. Crittenden (12-3) will be playing Livingston Central (8-9).

Crittenden County 25 43 62 69

University Heights 9 26 35 48

CRITTENDEN – Guess 13, N. Boone 14, Evans 15, A. Boone 6, Hatfield 4, Federico 2, Hunt 7, McDaniel 4, Rushing, Holeman, Stewart 4, Munday, Hodge. FG 26. 3-pointers 7 (N.Boone 4, Evans, Guess, Hunt). FT 10-12.

UHA – Acree, Dilday, Davis 28, Quarles 6, Hoosier, Bass 4, Love 10. FG 19. 3-pointers 1 (Quarles). FT 6-12.