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.