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.