Lady Rockets take 3rd in Florida

Crittenden needed a solid team effort to keep Quaker Valley's 6-4 star
in check. Here, Elliot Evans, Andrea Federico, Anna Boone and Jordyn
Hodge all collapse toward Mimi Thiero at the high post.

ORLANDO, Fla. – Seniors Bristyn Rushing and Anna Boone supplied the inside-out punch with points, and senior defender Andrea Federico supplied the resistance as Crittenden County closed the KSA Holiday Tournament with a 59-51 win Wednesday over Quaker Valley, Pa., earning a 2-1 finish and third place against a field that demanded toughness at both ends of the floor.

The Lady Rockets improved to 9-3, finishing the week with two wins in three days in Orlando, while Quaker Valley slipped to 5-5 overall.

Boone carried the offensive load with 26 points and was later named Crittenden’s Tournament Most Valuable Player by KSA organizers. She was at her best late, scoring seven of Crittenden’s final points and calmly converting five free throws as the Lady Rockets used ball movement and clock management to protect the lead down the final stretch.

Senior Bristyn Rushing scored 16 points.

Rushing turned in one of her strongest performances, scoring a season-high 14 points. Her effort included multiple dives for loose balls, one of which resulted in a forearm cut that required brief stoppages for cleanup, but did little to slow her aggressiveness.

Federico anchored the defensive game plan against Quaker Valley star Mimi Thiero, a 6-foot-4 Division I commit and four-star prospect. Thiero showed her range and versatility early, handling the ball on the perimeter and knocking down three 3-pointers, but Federico’s physical defense limited her touches near the basket and forced difficult looks. Thiero had just one field goal in the fourth quarter, scoring the rest of her points at the free-throw line as Quaker Valley tried to stay within striking distance. 

Thiero has committed to Maryland. She's the younger sister of Los Angeles Lakers rookie Adou Thiero, who once played for the University of Kentucky.

Crittenden controlled much of the opening quarter, leading 17-11, and carried a slim 29-28 advantage into halftime. The Lady Rockets created breathing room in the third period, pushing the margin to 45-39 behind interior scoring from Rushing and timely baskets from Boone.

Quaker Valley trimmed the deficit to four midway through the fourth, but Boone answered with a left-handed scoop and an and-one finish to restore momentum. From there, Crittenden was patient, draining almost two minutes off the clock on one late possession and forcing the Quakers to foul.

Jordyn Hodge added 12 points while Elliot Evans scored seven. 

“I really wanted us to be in a bracket with teams that would be challenging to us,” coach Shannon Hodge said of her team’s play in Florida. “And each one of them was.”

With little time to scout opponents and minimal opportunity to prepare over the three-day series in the Sunshine State, Hodge said she was proud of her team’s performance but admitted some disappointment with the 2-1 finish after a two-point loss in the semifinal round.

“I am a little disappointed that we didn't win our game yesterday, but I'm very happy today because we won pretty big against a pretty good team. I am happy about that and our ability to make some adjustments without having any practice time.”

Crittenden returns home Saturday to face Mayfield at Rocket Arena before shifting its focus to the All A Classic next week. The Lady Rockets have won a region-record 10 All A titles since 1998, including the last three in a row and four of the past five, making the post-holiday stretch another measuring point as the calendar turns into January.

Crittenden County 17 29 45 59
Quaker Valley, Pa. 11 28 39 51
CRITTENDEN – Boone 26, Evans 7, Hodge 12, Federico, Rushing 14, Stewart. FG 20. 3-pointers 5 (Boone 3, Evans, Rushing). FT 12-14.
QUAKER VALLEY – Thiero 30, Watson 12, Cline 4, Campbell 3, Floro 2. FG 18. 3-pointers 4. FT 9-11.

Sixteen-point lead evaporates in Florida

A non-shooting foul was called as Jordyn Hodge
tried to get off a final shot for the Lady Rockets.

ORLANDO, Fla. – Big leads have a way of evaporating in southern Florida when focus wavers and the competition doesn’t.

Crittenden County watched a 16-point advantage disappear as Keyser’s Golden Tornado stayed composed, leaned on its ace and escaped with a 46-44 win in the semifinal found of the KSA Holiday Tournament at Gaylord Palms Resort. The loss was the third of the season for the Lady Rockets, now 8-3, while undefeated Keyser improved to 6-0 and again looked every bit like a West Virginia Class 3A state contender.

For much of the way, the game tilted heavily toward Crittenden. The Lady Rockets held Keyser to just six points in the first quarter, then led by double digits early in the second half and still carried a 39-31 cushion into the fourth quarter.

Then everything narrowed – the floor, the margin and Crittenden’s offensive options.

Cold shooting down the stretch, defensive complacencies and foul trouble for Anna Boone gave way to the West Virginians getting the most out of their best player. Boone, who averages about 14 points, finished with eight after picking up her third and fourth fouls in the third quarter and spending a good bit of the second half on the bench as a precautionary measure. She got back on the floor with about five minutes to go, but the Golden Tornado had already pulled to within one behind the play of its star, junior Riley “Bibs” Felton.

Felton, a 5-foot-11 shooting guard with a Division I offer from Radford University and interest from Marshall University, scored 31 of Keyser’s 46 points – two-thirds of the Tornado offense. She accounted for 12 of Keyser’s 18 field goals and two of its four 3-pointers.

Crittenden’s perimeter shooting, usually a strength, vanished when it mattered most. The Lady Rockets made just three 3-pointers, all by Jordyn Hodge. Boone and Elliot Evans, who typically combine for at least four from deep, went 0-for from long range. Hodge scored eight of Crittenden’s 14 second-half points and finished with a team-high 17. Andrea Federico was the only other CCHS player in double figures. She finished with 10 after scoring a half-dozen in the opening period to fuel Crittenden’s early lead.

Keyser began its comeback midway through the third quarter and closed it with poise in the fourth. Felton tied the game at 40-all on a strong drive, then pushed the Tornado ahead moments later. Crittenden clawed back as Hodge buried a 3-pointer with 1:02 remaining to tie the score at 44-44.

But Felton had the final word.

She drove the lane in the closing seconds, drew contact and converted at the line with three seconds left. Crittenden had one last chance, but the clock expired before the Lady Rockets could respond.

The loss pushed CCHS into the consolation side of the tournament bracket where they will play in the third-place game at 7:30 a.m., CST Wednesday against Pennsylvania’s Quaker Valley High School (5-4).

Crittenden County 20 30 39 44
Keyser, West Va. 6 20 31 46
CRITTENDEN – Boone 8, Evans 6, Hodge 17, Federico 10, Rushing 1, Holeman 2. FG 16. 3-pointers 3 (Hodge). FT 7-10.
KEYSER – Urice 7, Healy, Alt 2, Felton 31, Kesner 6. FG 18. 3-pointers 4 (Felton 2, Urice, Kesner). FT 5-9.

Lady Rockets blast Ohio in 2nd Half

 

Anna Boone scored 23 points. Here
she is is playing defense on the perimeter.

ORLANDO, Fla. – A slow start in the Sunshine State did little to deter Crittenden County on Monday.

After grinding through a physical first half against a larger Medina, Ohio squad, the Lady Rockets flipped the game after the break and pulled away for a convincing 59-36 victory in the opening round of the KSA Holiday Tournament at Gaylord Palms Resort.

Crittenden County, now 8-2, will face a significantly stiffer test Tuesday afternoon when it meets unbeaten Keyser High School in the tournament semifinals.

Medina, a 3-4 team from the Greater Cleveland area, made life difficult early with an aggressive half-court defense and a trapping zone that disrupted Crittenden County’s rhythm. The Battling Bees also found open looks from the perimeter in the first quarter and used their size to control much of the physical play around the basket and on the boards before halftime.

Despite those challenges, Crittenden stayed within striking distance, tied at 20 at the end of the first quarter and carrying a slim 30-28 advantage into the locker room as Anna Boone had 16 points, more than half of the Lady Rocket offense over the first two periods.

The tone changed decisively coming out of the break.

Elliot Evans ignited the surge with all five of her points in a one-minute span early in the third quarter, capped by a 3-pointer at the 5:44 mark that pushed the Lady Rockets into double figures for the first time. That basket sparked a run that turned a two-point game into a rout. Crittenden County closed the quarter on an 8-2 burst and led 50-30 entering the fourth.

Medina never recovered. The Ohio squad went scoreless from the field in the third quarter and managed just three fourth-period field goals, while also missing more than two-thirds of its free-throw attempts for the game.

Crittenden County’s defensive intensity and rebounding were markedly improved in the second half, limiting Medina’s second-chance opportunities and fueling a more aggressive offensive attack. Even with foul trouble looming for key players, the Lady Rockets maintained composure. Bristyn Rushing contributed seven points and five rebounds despite early fouls, and Andrea Federico logged extended minutes while playing carefully with four fouls.

Boone led the Lady Rockets with 23 points and six rebounds, while Jordyn Hodge added 18 points. Hodge later compared the challenge posed by Medina’s physicality to that of district rival Lyon County, which Crittenden County defeated in overtime earlier this season.

The Lady Rockets will face Keyser at 3 p.m. CST Tuesday. The Golden Tornado are 5-0 this season and have advanced to the West Virginia Class 3A Final Eight in each of the past two years, finishing 19-5 and 18-6. Another win would push CCHS into the tournament championship game, which is scheduled for 7:30 a.m. CST Wednesday.

WATCH POST-GAME VIDEO INTERVIEW HERE : (Facebook)

Medina, Ohio   20 28 30 36
Crittenden Co. 20 30 49 58
MEDINA – Fischer 2, Kelos 9, Miller 4, Kurke 2, Gilber 7, Dress 3, Shook 6, Novak 3. FG 14. 3-pointers 5. FT 3-11.
CRITTENDEN – Boone 23, Evans 5, Hodge 18, Federico 4, Rushing 7, Holeman 2. FG 22. 3-pointers 8 (Boone 3, Hodge 4, Evans). FT 9-11.

Lady Rockets open play Monday in Florida

The Lady Rockets arrived in Florida this morning and will open action in the KSA Holiday Tournament Monday at 9 a.m., (CST) at Gaylord Palms Resort in Orlando.

Crittenden’s girls' first game in the event will be against Medina High School from Ohio. Their pool includes Keyser High from West Virginia, First Baptist Academy of Orlando, Fla., North Buncombe High from Weaversville, N.C., Quaker Valley from Leetsdale, Pa.; Riverview High from Sarasota, Fla., and Rye High School from New York.

Based on MaxPreps data, the Sarasota team appears to be among the strongest in the field with a 6-3 record at the end of last week’s play. 

From the Cleveland area, Medina, the Lady Rockets’ opening opponent, was 3-3 after its first six games. The Battling Bees average scoring 48 points a game and the team is ranked No. 4 out of eight in the Greater Cleveland Conference.

Tournament teams from across the country are divided into 8-team pools where they are guaranteed at least three games. KSA offers a fee-based streaming platform on its website so fans back home can watch games online. Go HERE for streaming option.

GO HERE for information and bracket results.

Rockets fall to 0-12 after loss at Murray

MURRAY, Ky. — Murray High School handed Crittenden County its fourth straight loss in the series with a 95-25 victory Tuesday night, extending a winning streak against the Rockets that dates back to 2011.

Crittenden County fell to 0-12 on the season, while Murray improved to 7-2.

Murray jumped out quickly, leading 38-9 after the first quarter and 65-14 at halftime. The Tigers continued to pull away in the second half, pushing the margin to 84-20 after three quarters before closing out the win.

Crittenden County was led by Brady Dayberry with seven points. Brayden Poindexter added six, while Colton Poindexter and Blake Topp scored three apiece. Crittenden finished with nine field goals, one 3-pointer and went 6-of-10 from the free-throw line.

Murray High placed six players in double figures.

The Rockets are off until Jan. 2 when they host Mayfield and coach Payton Croft, a former CCHS basketball standout and son of Crittenden County Hall of Fame coach Jimmy Croft. 

Hodge scores 29 to beat Union

MORGANFIELD, Ky. – Sophomore guard Jordyn Hodge paced the Lady Rockets to a 61-45 pre-Christmas win Tuesday against Union County. In the last two games, Hodge has amassed 49 points to pace the Lady Rockets in their final games prior to a short holiday before heading to a tournament Dec. 29-31 in Orlando, Fla.

Union County (2-4) set the tone and made some shots to lead early. As the game wore on, the Lady Rockets’ outmanned the Bravettes behind Hodge’s hot hands. The Lady Rockets extended the lead to 16 before the break. 

To start the second half, the Lady Rockets (7-2) went on a 18-2 run, getting 12-points each from seniors Anna Boone and Bristyn Rushing.

Crittenden has defeated Union County seven out of the last 10 meetings.

Crittenden 18 38 53 61
Union 18 22 36 45

CRITTENDEN - Boone 12, Evans, Hodge 29, Federico 2, Rushing 12, Holeman, Stewart 6, Berry, Champion, Grau, Rich, Kemmer FG 24 3-pointers 5 (Boone, Hodge 4) FT 8-13

UNION - Davis 2, Bell 15, Gentry, 4, Martinez 12, Beaven 6, Boyd 6. FG 18. 3-po9inters 3 (Gentry, Beaven 2). FT 6-10

Trigg pulls away from Rockets in 2nd half

PADUCAH, Ky. – Crittenden County lost control of the game early in the second half as Trigg County used a 16-0 run to pull away for a 68-44 win over the Rockets in the St. Mary Christmas Tournament.

Brady Dayberry scored 11 points to lead Crittenden County, while eighth-grade guard Kash Myers added a season-high nine. The Rockets were unable to recover after the Wildcats’ decisive surge coming out of the break.

Crittenden County, now 0-11, returns to action Tuesday night on the road at Murray.

Scoring for Crittenden County: Martin 3, Porter 2, Dayberry 11, Topp 3, B. Poindexter 4, Young 4, Ellington 0, C. Poindexter 4, Myers 9, Bumpus 4, Jones 2, Bryant 0.

Rockets fall to Tennessee. team in Paducah

PADUCAH, Ky. – Crittenden County fell to 0-10 on the season with a 71-33 loss to Tennessee school South Fulton in the second round of the St. Mary Christmas Tournament.

Point guard Logan Martin led the way with a half dozen points while Jack Porter, Brady Dayberry and Brayden Poindexter was close behind with 5 points apiece.

Crittenden County will play again in the Paducah tournament at noon on Monday against Trigg County.

Crittenden County 9 20 30 33
South Fulton, Tenn. 22 40 59 71
CRITTENDEN – Ellington 3, Porter 5, Bumpus 1, Bryant, Topp 6, Dayberry 5, Jones, Myers, Hutchison, Martin 6, C.Poindexter 2, Hughes, B.Poindexter 5, Counts. FG 11. 3-pointers 5 (Ellington, Porter, Dayberry, Martin, B.Poindexter). FT 6-12.
South Fulton – Joyner 222, Barclay 3, Cooley 7, Gore, Rice 10, Choate 13, Mulcahy 13. FG 26. 3-pointers 4. FT 15-18. 

Evans gets 1,000th in win at Carlisle

Elliot Evans and Coach
Shannon Hodge.

BARDWELL, Ky. – Senior Elliot Evans scored a team-high 20 points and got her 1,000th career point early in the first period Thursday as the Lady Rockets easily dispatched host Carlisle County 64-44 on the road. 

Evans becomes the 13th Lady Rocket in school history to cross the 1K point plateau. 

Sophomore Jordyn Hodge also scored 20 as CCHS improved 6-2.

Crittenden dropped seven three pointers in the first half, racing out to a substantial lead then unloading the bench for much of the second half.

The girls will be off until Tuesday when they play at Union County, their last game in Kentucky before heading to Florida to play over the holiday break.

Crittenden Co.    25    42    58    64
Carlisle County    8    20    33    44
CRITTENDEN – Boone 12, Evans 20, Hodge 20, Federico, Rushing 10,  Holeman, Stewart, Berry 2, Champion, Rich, Kemmer. FG 25. 3-poiners 7 ( Evans 3, Boone 2, Hodge 2). FT 7-10.
CARLISLE COUNTY – Perez 2, Bruer 11, Tornsbrough 2, Hogancamp 22, Webb 7. FG 17. 3-pointers none. FT 10-17.

Poindexters combine for 26 in St. Mary Tournament

PADUCAH, Ky. – The Poindexter brothers combined for just about half of the Rockets’ points in a 77-36 loss to host St;. Mary in the opening round of its annual Christmas Tournament Thursday.

Sophomore Conner Poindexter netted 14 points and senior Brayden Poindexter dropped a dozen. The older one had five fielders, including one three, and the younger sibling scored eight of his team-high at the foul line.

Crittenden is scheduled to play again at noon on Saturday against South Fulton, Tenn., in the St. Mary tournament. 

Crittenden County 6 15 24 36
Paducah St. Mary 30 51 73 77
CRITTENDEN – Martin, Ellington, Topp, B.Poindexter 12, Porter, Bumpus 1, C.Poindexter 14, Myers 2, Hughes, Bryant 4, Murray, Counts, Hutchison, Jones. FG 11. 3-pointers 2 (Jones, B.Poindexter). FT 12-18.
ST. MARY – Mayes 13, Griffith 7, Nichols 11, Puckett 17, Spurr 9, Fearon 4, Itiavkase 6, Pittman 10. FG 31. 3-pointers 7. FT 9-9.

THE SHOW | Lady Rocket Basketball December 2025

 

Join Crittenden County basketball coaches Shannon Hodge and Kenny Jackson each week for the Rocket Basketball Coach’s Show — hosted by former Rocket Trace Derrington and proudly supported by our local business sponsors. Today's program features coach Shannon Hodge and

Lady Rockets Elliot Evans and Bristyn Rushing.

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Rockets no match for Top 20 Lyons

Hayden Hughes dribbles around the top
of the key during the loss to Lyon.

MARION, Ky. – Crittenden County dipped to 0-2 in Fifth District action and 0-8 overall as Lyon County displayed why it is ranked among the state’s top 20 teams, beating the Rockets 109-25 at Marion on Tuesday.

The game was never in doubt from the jump as Lyon led by 26 after the first period and Crittenden was scoreless in the second quarter.

CCHS will open play Thursday at 6 p.m., in the St. Mary Christmas Tournament at Paducah against the tournament host. The Rockets have lost five straight to the Vikings dating back to 2018.

Lyon County         36 66 92 109

Crittenden Co. 10 10 15 25

LYON – Kirk 22, Co.Collins 8, Ca.Collins 11, Coffman 13, Defew 8, Reddick 9, Ramey 7, Cain 2, Taylor 15, McDaniels 10, Cotham 4. FG 49. 3-pointers 14. FT 9-13.

CRITTENDEN – Martin 2, Young 2, Ellington, Topp 3, B.Poindexter 1, Dayberry 7, Porter, Bumpus, C.Poindexter 4, Hughes, Bryant 6, Murray, Counts, Hutchison. FG 10. 3-pointers 3 (Bryant 2, Topp). FT 2-8.

Lady Rockets slip by Lyon; Boone moves to No. 2

Andrea Federico played a key role in
Tuesday's win over Lyon County.

MARION, Ky. – Crittenden County capitalized on a couple of late Lyon County turnovers to slip away with a key Fifth District girls basketball victory 53-51 Tuesday night at Rocket Arena.

The Lady Rockets improved to 5-2 overall and 2-0 in district play, while Lyon County fell to 4-2 and 1-1.

Crittenden built an early cushion behind strong perimeter shooting and led 22-13 at the end of the first quarter. Lyon outrebounded the Lady Rockets in the opening period but committed four to five turnovers as Crittenden’s press sped up the pace. The Lady Rockets carried a 31-25 lead into halftime after Lyon trimmed the margin late in the second quarter.

Crittenden pushed its advantage to double figures in the third quarter. Elliott Evans hit a 3-pointer to make it 40-30, Anna Boone continued her hot shooting from beyond the arc, and Andrea Federico added a baseline jumper as the Lady Rockets stretched the lead to 45-32 – a 13-point lead and the Lady Rockets’ high-water mark in the game. Lyon closed the quarter on a small run to trail 45-35 entering the fourth. Then, the Lady Rockets went cold offensively in the final quarter and did not make a field goal. Crittenden scored only two points in the period, both free throws by Jordyn Hodge, while Lyon surged back behind Piper Cotham, Courtney Collins and Sloan Cotham. An 8-2 run cut the deficit to 47-43 with 2:12 remaining, and Piper Cotham’s coast-to-coast basket tied the game at 47-all.

Crittenden missed a chance to regain the lead, turning the ball over in the frontcourt late, allowing Lyon to set up for a final possession. However, Lyon committed a turnover on an inbounds play, ending regulation with the game tied at 47.

In overtime, Lyon again took the lead behind Piper Cotham, but could not close it out. With the score tied 51-51 late, Lyon missed four shots near the basket while battling for offensive rebounds, then turned the ball over in the frontcourt with 10 seconds remaining. Crittenden took advantage, as Bristyn Rushing and Boone combined for two late free throws to seal the win.

Despite being outrebounded, particularly on the offensive end, Crittenden held on to earn its fourth straight win over Lyon County, thanks in part to Lyon’s inability to take care of the ball on two key plays late in the game.

Boone led the Lady Rockets with 19 points, knocking down six three-pointers. She also moved into second place on the program’s all-time scoring list, passing Cassidy Moss (1,824 points) and now trailing only Taylor Guess (2,643). Jordyn Hodge added 17 points, while Andrea Federico scored 10, four above her season average, and made key contributions on both ends of the floor.

Piper Cotham paced Lyon County with 20 points. Collins scored 12 and Trinity Taylor added eight

Crittenden led 31-25 at halftime and 45-35 entering the fourth before Lyon’s late rally came up just short.

Lyon County      13 25 35 47 51
Crittenden Co. 22 31 45 47 53
LYON – P.Cotham 20, Taylor 8, Collins 12, S.Cotham 4, Coffman 7, Defew, Coursey. FG 18. 3-pointers 6 (Taylor 2, Collins 2, P.Cotham, Coffman). FT 9-12.
CRITTENDEN – Boone 19, Evans 3, Hodge 17, Federico 10, Rushing 4, Stewart. FG 19. 3-pointers 10 (Boone 6, Hodge 3, Evans). FT 5-9.

Rockets get behind early and lose at Russellville

RUSSELLVILLE, Ky. – Crittenden County fell to 0-7 on the season with a 73-27 loss at Russellville (3-2) on Friday.

Russellville seized control early, leading 16-7 after the first quarter and stretching the margin to 39-14 by halftime. The Panthers continued to pull away in the second half, outscoring Crittenden 34-13 over the final two periods.

Crittenden was led by Brady Dayberry, Brayden Poindexter and Logan Martin with 5 points apiece. The Rockets made 10 field goals, hit one 3-pointer and went 6 of 8 from the free-throw line.

Russellville placed six players in double figures, paced by Dickerson with 12 and Marrow with 10. The Panthers finished with 31 field goals, four 3-pointers and went 7 of 16 at the line.

Crittenden will be at home Tuesday for a Fifth District matchup with Lyon County, ranked among the state’s top 20 in most preseason polls.

Crittenden Co. 7 14 18 27

Russelville.  16 39 61 73
CRITTENDEN – Ellington 2, Porter, Bumpus, Topp 2, Dayberry 5, Jones 2, Martin 5, C.Poindexter 2, Hughes, Murray 2, B.Poindexter 5, Counts. FG 10. 3-pointers 1 (Poindexter). FT 6-8.
RUSSELLVILLE – Vanterpool 10, Nourse 6, Coleman 8, Gardner 8, Dickerson 12, Coleman 5, Clayton 2, Davenport 3, Browder 9, Collier, Marrow 10, Bertran. FG 31. 3-pointers 4. FT 7-16. 

Lady Lakers feed Crittenden slice of humble pie

TALL ORDER
Jordyn Hodge tries to get off
a shot against a Laker defender

PADUCAH, Ky. – Call it an ego check if you care to.

Certainly, Crittenden County’s 73-34 loss to Calloway County on Saturday in the Mustang Hoopla at McCracken County delivered a healthy heaping of humble pie.

Calloway, ranked No. 1 in the First Region and arguably one of the best girls teams in all of western Kentucky, raked the Lady Rockets over the coals, killing them with a thousand cuts and nearly as many points.

From the opening tip, the Lady Lakers were in complete command. For Crittenden, it was like being stranded on Gilligan’s Island with no rescue in sight. Behind its two Division I commits – Sayler Lowe and Jaidan Koch – Calloway sank three after three with pinpoint shooting and feasted on second-chance buckets. The Lady Rockets were stunned by a 16-3 deficit in the first four minutes and trailed 27-8 after the first period.

With Lowe, who plans to play collegiately at North Alabama, holding Crittenden’s top scorer Anna Boone scoreless in the first half, the Lady Rockets trailed by 32 at the break. Calloway’s active defense kept Crittenden at bay throughout, while Lowe scored 24 points with ease and Koch finished with 19 points, including three of her team’s eight three-pointers. Koch plans to play college all at Southern Indiana. The dynamic duo is rated as the No. 1 and No. 2 players in the First Region, respectively, according to the Courier Journal.

Crittenden got a team-high 11 points from sophomore Jordyn Hodge. Elliott Evans finished with seven, while Boone had three. Bristyn Rushing and Morgan Stewart combined for eight points in the post.

Crittenden had fancied itself among the better teams on this side of the state after key wins over Breckinridge and McCracken counties, along with a competitive season-opening loss at Marshall County. While the setback in Paducah was a sobering one, the Lady Rockets will need to lick their wounds quickly and refocus for Lyon County, a key Fifth District matchup Tuesday night at Rocket Arena.

Crittenden County 8 18 28 34
Calloway County 27 50 67 73
CRITTENDEN – Boone 3, Evans 7, Hodge 11, Federico 1, Rushing 4, Holeman 2, Stewart 4, Berry 2, Champion, Grau, Rich, Kemmer. FG 13. 3-pointers 3 (Evans, Boone, Hodge). FT 7-8.
CALLOWAY - Koch 19, Emery 9, Franklin 1, Haynes 7, Grooms, Arnett 1, Stark 4, Perkins 8, Lowe 24. FG 29. 3-pointers 8 (Koch 3, Emery 3, Stark, Lowe). FT 7-14.

Wring scores 40 as Livingston trounces Rockets

First-year coach Kenny Jackson tries to rally
his troops during a lopsided game at Livingston.

SMITHLAND, Ky. – Crittenden struggled to protect the basketball and convert shots Friday night as Livingston Central rolled to a 90-43 victory in CCHS’s Fifth District opener.

Turnovers and defensive breakdowns plagued the Rockets, allowing the Cardinals a steady diet of open looks, and Livingston made the most of them. Logan Wring caught fire early, scoring 16 points in the first quarter and finishing with a game-high 40. The Cardinals built a commanding 54-26 lead by halftime.

Crittenden did get some offensive production from Brady Dayberry and Brayden Poindexter, who scored 14 and 12 points, respectively. Together, they accounted for more than half of the Rockets’ scoring. Crittenden continues to play without returning starter Drake Young, who has missed the past three games with an injury.

The loss dropped the Rockets to 0-6 on the season, while Livingston improved to 2-1. The Cardinals have now won five straight in the series after Crittenden reeled off 10 consecutive victories dating back to 2019.

Crittenden returns to action Saturday on the road at Russellville (2-2). Livingston will be off until Monday, when it hosts Ballard Memorial (0-2).

Crittenden County 4 26 41 43
Livingston Central 33 54 78 90
CRITTENDEN – Martin 3, Porter 6, Dayberry 14, B.Poindexter 12, Ellington 3, Topp 2, C.Poindexter, Bryant, Counts, Jones 3, Hutchinson, Bumpus. FG 14. 3-pointers 5 (Dayberry 2, B.Poindexter 2, Ellington). FT 10-16.
LIVINGSTON – Walker 19, Ross 3, Garner 2, Zaim 12, Wring 40, Gainey 2, Messenger 5, Chittenden, Sinks 5, Holman 2, Peck. FG 35. 3-pointers 9 (Wring 6, Walker 2, Ross). FT 11-17.
 

Lady Rockets blast Livingston to open district play

CCHS's Morgan Stewart beats Livingston's
Aubrey Leahy to the baskest. 

SMITHLAND, Ky. – Winning at Livingston Central has rarely come easy for Crittenden County, but Friday night’s trip proved to be anything but troublesome as the Lady Rockets rolled to a 74-30 Fifth District victory.

Crittenden overwhelmed Livingston from the opening tip, using early 3-point shooting and a relentless full-court press to sprint to a 10-0 lead and a commanding 30-6 advantage after one quarter. The Lady Rockets continued to pile it on in the second period, taking a 46-14 lead into halftime.

Livingston Central, which returned just one starter from last season’s squad, never found an answer. A running clock was used throughout the second half, allowing Crittenden to empty its bench while maintaining control.

Crittenden beat Livingston for the sixth straight time and improved to 4-1 with the district win and will travel Saturday to McCracken County for the Holiday Hoopla, where the Lady Rockets face Calloway County at 1 p.m. 

Livingston Central dropped to 0-2, losing to the Lady Rockets for the 13th time in 14 encounters.
Livingston Central 6 14 24 30
Crittenden County 30 46 59 74
CRITTENDEN – Boone 10, Evans 15, Hodge 8, Federico 9, Rushing 8, Holeman 3, Stewart 6, Berry 2, Champion 7, Rich 3, Kemmer 3, Grau. FG 27. 3-pointers 12 (Evans 3, Boone 2, Hodge 2, Federico, Holeman, Champion, Kemmer, Rich). FT 8-14.

LIVINGSTON – A.Leahy 3, Collins 8, T.Leahy 10, Jennings 3, Meyers 6, Palmer, Wring. FG 10. 3-pointers 2 (Collins). FT 8-9.

Rockets lose on long road trip

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Crittenden County’s basketball team took a long Thursday road trip to Bowling Green to face Region 4 KHSAA opponent Foundation Christian Academy (4-1). 

The Rockets got off to a slow start and trailed 23-7 off the tip en route to a 62-26 loss.

CCHS continues to struggle to score. At Bowling Green, they managed just three 2-point field goals, but did get six from long range, thanks in large part to guard Logan Martin’s three treys. The Rockets are 0-6 this season and have averaged just 38 points per game, while opponents have averaged 78.

Crittenden opens Fifth District play tonight at Livingston Central.

Foundation Christian 23 39 56 62
 Crittenden County 7 15 16 26
CRITTENDEN – Martin 11, Ellington 5, Dayberry 1, Topp 3, B.Pointexer 2, Porter, C.Poindexter 1, Counts, Young 3. FG 9. 3-pointers 6 (Martin 3, Ellington, Topp, Young). FT 2-6.
FCA – Cummins 5, Barbee 3, Wilson 12, Nix 17, Moore 9, Jonese 4, Watson 1, Hill 3, Lohden 8. FG 21. 3-pointers 3. FCT 28-27.

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Rockets seek first win as district play opens Friday

Freshman Joel Bumpus looks for an outlet pass

MARION, Ky. – Four games into the season, Crittenden County is still looking for its first win. The Rockets were overmatched Tuesday at home against Union County, losing 94-20.

Union raced out to a 23-0 lead, draining threes and operating with impunity until the running clock was enforced. CCHS plays at Livingston on Friday to open district play.

MORTON'S GAP – The Rockets also lost on the road Monday at Hopkins Central 87-43 as Brady Dayberry led scoring with 15.

Union County 33 60 78 94
Crittenden County 3 11 16 20
UNION – Patterson 18, Curry 32, Johnson 12, Black 12, Tamayo 3, Wilson 11, Rapier 6. FG 31. 3-pointers 9. FT 5-10.
CRITTENDEN – Ellington 1, Bumpus, Bryant, Topp 4, Dayberry 2, Jones 1, Hutchison, Martin 7, C.Poindexter 1, Murray, B.Poindexter 2, Counts, Collins. FG 8. 3-pointers none. FT 4-11.

Crittenden County 19 24 40 43
Hopkins Central 34 61 78 87
CRITTENDEN – Ellington 3, Porters 3, Bumpus 2, Topp 10, Dayberry 15, Martin 3, B.Poindexter 7, Bryant, Jones, Hutchison, C.Poindexter, Murray, Counts. FG 16. 3-pointers (Porter, Topp, Dayberry, Hutchison). FT 7-10.
HOPKINS CENTRAL – Pettus 13, Butcher 18, Sumner 15, Stephens 3, Trejo 6, Jagoe 10, Smith 12, Stone 8, Miller 2. FG 29. 3-pointers 9. FT 20-23.

Lady Rockets beat McCracken by seven

Andrea Federico led CCHS in scoring vs MCHS

MARION, Ky. – Crittenden County, ranked No. 2 in the Second Region, improved to 3-1 Tuesday with a 56-49 win over McCracken County, the No. 3 team in the First Region. McCracken entered at 2-1, its only loss coming to Henderson County, the top-ranked team in the Second Region.

Crittenden struggled to score early against the Lady Mustangs’ fast zone defense and allowed several second-chance baskets on the other end of the floor. The Rockets trailed by eight, 25-17, late in the second quarter before rallying to tie it 25-25 at halftime.

Momentum swung in the third. An Anna Boone 3-pointer put Crittenden ahead 34-27 with 3:50 left, and moments later Boone fed Andrea Federico in transition for a 36-27 lead. Elliott Evans hit her first points of the night on a right-corner three to make it 39-27, Crittenden’s largest lead. McCracken closed the period on a burst, trimming it to 39-36 as the game’s pace turned frantic.

Federico opened the fourth with a three, and Evans buried another from the corner for a 45-38 lead. McCracken got within 47-43 after a pair of free throws at 4:00, but Crittenden responded with a Boone-to-Bristyn Rushing pick-and-roll to steady the margin. The Lady Rockets then deliberately shifted into a methodical half-court approach, draining time and forcing McCracken to defend deeper into possessions.

Jordyn Hodge hit a 15-footer for a 51-44 cushion with 1:50 left. Rushing added two free throws, and after Hodge split a pair, she knocked down two more to push the margin to 56-49, sealing it.

Federico led the way for CCHS with a season-high 13 points. Boone and Rushing finished with a dozen apiece and Hodge added 11.

The Lady Rockets travel to Livingston Central on Friday to open district play. 

McCracken County 11 25 36 49
Crittenden County 12 25 39 56
McCRACKEN – Hughes 18, Houser 7, Casebier 1, Hill 20, Clements 14. FG 20. 3-pointers 4 (Hughes 2, Houser, Clements). FT 5-8.
CRITTENDEN – Boone 12, Evans 6, Hodge 11, Federico 13, Rushing 12, Stewart 2. FG 21. 3-pointers 5 (Evans 2, Boone 2, Federico). FT 9-11.

Lady Rocket stage strong comeback on road

Anna Boone was chosen player of the game

HARDINSBURG, Ky. – Crittenden County discovered once again that when the Lady Rockets get to the foul line, good things happen. In a tough road environment at Breckinridge County, CCHS overcame early turnovers and foul trouble to rally from an 11-point deficit and win 54-50 on Saturday.

Breckinridge, the preseason No. 1 team in Region 3,  opened with a blistering 21-point first quarter while Crittenden struggled to take care of the ball. Star guard Anna Boone, who scored CCHS’s first eight points, collected her third foul with 6:18 left in the second quarter and sat the remainder of the half. Still, the Rockets held steady, trailing just 29–24 at the break.

The momentum swung in the third when Boone returned briefly to bury a 3-pointer off a high screen, pulling CCHS within one. Moments later, the Rockets surged ahead 32-29 by attacking the rim. Boone’s fourth foul late in the period forced her back to the bench, and Crittenden trailed 38-34 entering the fourth.

But in the final quarter, Crittenden’s defensive pressure and free-throw shooting took over. Elliot Evans sparked the comeback with backcourt steals, one leading to a Boone 3-pointer that cut the deficit to 40-39. Another steal moments later set up Evans for a transition layup to tie it 43-43 with 4:40 left.

From there, the Rockets were nearly automatic at the stripe. Boone, Evans, and Jordyn Hodge combined to hit big free throws in the final two minutes, and a perfectly executed in-bounds play – Boone to Evans up the sideline to Bristyn Rushing for a wide-open layup – pushed the lead to 51-47 with :30 remaining.

Breckinridge hit a 3-pointer with 1.2 seconds to go, but Hodge iced the win with two more at the line. Crittenden finished an impressive 20-of-26 at the stripe, the clear difference in a four-point game.

The Lady Rocket are now 2-1 on the season and Breckinridge is now 1-2, Breckinridge is a traditional powerhouse in the Third Region. The Rocket girls host McCracken County on Tuesday.

Crittenden County 10 24 34 54
Breckinridge County 21 29 38 50
CRITTENDEN – Boone 16, Evans 11, Hodge 10, Federico 5, Rushing 10, Holeman, Stewart 2, Berry. FG 15. 3-pointers 4 (Boone 4). FT 20-26.
BRECKINRIDGE - Greenwell 5, Moorman 6, Henning, Grimes 15, Radaszewai 12, Mitcham 9, Carey 3. FG 16. 3-pointers 5. FT 8-12. 

Rocket drop to 0-3 out of the chute

CLINTON, Ky. – After three games, Crittenden County is still looking for its first win since early 2024. The Rockets – on a grueling three-game road series this week – have come out of the chute 0-3 after falling 69-37 at Hickman County Saturday afternoon.

CCHS, which has struggled over the last three seasons, hasn’t found the winner’s circle over the past 39 games. The boys fell behind early at Hickman but stayed within striking distance until midway through the third period.

Without a single player in double figures, Brady Dayberry and Brayden Poindexter led the scoring with seven points apiece.

The road gets no less troublesome over the coming days as CCHS travels Monday to Hopkins Central and returns home Tuesday to face Union County.

Crittenden County 6 19 26 37
Hickman County 15 30 45 69
CRITTENDEN – Ellington 2, Porter, Bryant 4, Topp 4, Bumpus 4, Dayberry 7, Young 3, Martin 1, C.Poindexter 5, B.Poindexter 7. FG 11. 3-pointers 2 (Young, Topp). FT 13-19.
HICKMAN – Rosas 13, Grubbs 3, Byassee 2, Irons 28, Boaz 4, Spraggs 2, Ware 5, Grimmitt 2, Lu.Grimmitt 6, Polsgrove 1, Deweese 3. FG 29. 3-pointers 5. FT 6-11.

Rockets fall at Campbell's army base

Rocket Drake Young

FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. — Crittenden County fell behind early and was never able to get its feet underneath the offense as Fort Campbell beat the Rockets 89-54 on the Army base Friday in a game that featured almost 50 foul whistles.

CCHS had trouble simply getting off shots from the outset and trailed by double digits early as the Falcons scored eight of their 26 first-quarter points at the foul line. CCHS was called for 25 fouls in the game and Fort Campbell 23, but the hosts dropped in 22 from the charity stripe compared to Crittenden’s 12.

Crittenden worked to get the ball to the basket and didn’t shoot many threes, making none for the game. Brady Dayberry led CCHS in scoring with 15. He was the only Rocket in double figures.

The Rockets are back on the road Saturday for a long trip to Hickman County in far western Kentucky. Hickman is 2-0 after wins over Trigg County and South Fulton. The Rockets are now 0-2.

Crittenden Co. 9 19 38 54
Fort Campbell 26 42 61 89
CRITTENDEN – Ellington, Porter 3, Bryant, Topp 6, Dayberry 15, Jones 1, Young 3, Hutchison, Bumpus 3, Martin 7, C.Poindexter 6, Murray 2, B.Poindexter 8, Counts, Collins. FG 21. 3-pointers none. FT 12-26.
FT CAMPBELL – Ferguson 14, Tow 12, Baker 3, Vannatta 21, Morton 8, Anthony 23, Tatum 4, Davis 2. FG 30. 3-pointers 7. FT 22-37.