Threat of severe weather cancels Thursday games

Crittenden County holiday tournament basketball games schedule for Thursday have been canceled due to threat of wintry weather. 

The Lady Rockets were scheduled to play McLean County at the Owensboro Christmas Tournament and the Rockets were to play Montgomery Central (Tenn.) in the Logan County Christmas Tournament.

Lady Rockets beat Webster for 7th straight win

CCHS senior Natalie reached for a rebound

MARION, Ky. – Perfect from the foul line down the stretch, Crittenden County held off a fierce comeback attempt by Webster County to win their seventh straight game Monday at home.

Crittenden led by about 10 points almost the entire way, except for a time in the second half when the Lady Rockets had some empty possessions and Webster was on target from the floor. The Lady Trojans outscored Crittenden 9-4 in the third quarter. Six of Webster’s points came at the foul line.

Although Crittenden never trailed, Webster tied it at 39 on a NBA-distance 3-pointer with 3:56 to go. 

Freshman Andrea Federico, who came off the bench to play the post, scored from underneath the basket to put CCHS back ahead for good as the Lady Rockets finished by making 12-of-13 foul shots in the fourth period and six straight down the stretch.

Webster was physical and played with quickness, but the Lady Rockets were up for the challenge. Senior Taylor Guess scored 17 for the Lady Rockets and freshman Elliot Evans dropped in a season-high 11.

Crittenden improved to 7-1 on the season while Webster fell to 2-7. Some preseason polls had the Lady Trojans projected as the third best team in the region with Crittenden fifth.

Webster County 7 17 26 41
Crittenden Co. 16 27 31 51
WEBSTER – Shepherd, Wright 5, Thompson, Karsyn Cates, Dunn 5, Yates 9, Austin 6, Katelyn Cates 16. FG 13. 3-pointers 4 (Yates 2, Austin, Katelyn Cates). FT 12-15.
CRITTENDEN – Guess 17, N.Boone 7, A. Boone 10, Evans 11, Hatfield 4, Federico 2. FG 17. 3-pointers 2 (N.Boone, Evans). FT 15-18.

Crittenden sweeps Trigg in doubleheader

CADIZ, Ky. – With some perhaps unforeseen support and a bad bounce at the buzzer, Crittenden County survived with a key 69-67 Fifth District victory Friday at Trigg County.

The Rockets dodged the bullet on a wide-open three-pointer from Trigg sharpshooter Luke Washer, which bounced off the front iron at the horn after CCHS had seen a double-digit lead evaporate in the final five minutes. Poor foul shooting by Crittenden in the fourth period gave the Wildcats a chance to spoil it on a last shot. 

In the last quarter, the Rockets missed 11-of-19 from the stripe as Trigg dropped three pointers down the stretch to close to within two in the final seconds.

Yet, Crittenden would not have been in position to win without some heroics off the bench and from a forward who has started just three games this season. 

Senior uard Seth Guess got into the game in the first half when starter Jaxon Hatfield got into foul trouble. Guess played a great deal in the last half, too, and finished with 14 points, including four threes. He made some key baskets and did a tremendous job handling the ball. Junior Gabe Keller was just as integral in the win, grabbing countless rebounds against a Wildcat frontline that had been out-boarding opponents all season.

Crittenden got its typical big scoring from Travis Champion, who finished with 29, and Preston Morgeson, who had 11. But it was also the supporting cast that held the line at key junctures, including center Case Gobin, who is improving quarter by quarter. 

The victory was hauntingly similar to a one-point game last year at Trigg that turned out a differently – with the Wildcats on top. This time, the Rockets came out victors, giving CCHS its eighth win over the Wildcats in the last 11 meetings.

Crittenden improved to 4-4 overall and 2-1 in the district. The outcome could prove very pivotal for seeding purposes for postseason. Meanwhile, Trigg falls to 6-2 overall and 1-2 in the district.

Trigg County 11 28 42 67

Crittenden Co. 13 33 54 69

CRITTENDEN – Morgeson 11, Champion 29, Hatfield, Keller 5, Gobin 10, Guess 14. FG 24. 3-pointers 8 (Guess 4, Morgeson 2, Champion 2). FT 13-29.

TRIGG – Stewart 2, Gude 6, Shearer 2, Vaughn 34, Bush, Nsubuga-Barnes, Washer 13, Linton 2, Reynolds 8, Breckel. FG 23. 3-pointers 8 (Vaughn 5, Washer, Reynolds 2). FT 11-17.

GIRLS WIN BY 20

CADIZ, Ky. – A double dip of offense from the remarkably reliable Taylor Guess and periodically-spectacular Anna Boone left no doubt that Crittenden County is the team to beat in the Fifth District.

Guess and Boone scored 21 points apiece as the Lady Rockets made it a clean sweep of the first trip through the district schedule, knocking off Trigg County 54-34 at Cadiz.

Averaging 28 points through the first seven games, Guess started slower than normal at Trigg, partly due to foul trouble, but compounded by aggressive defensive attention from the Lady Wildcats. She had just two fielders by halftime.

Meanwhile, Boone drained a three-pointer to start the game. When it goes in early, it can go in often, she said. And it did for the freshman, who was averaging just 6.5 coming into the matchup. Boone had Crittenden’s first seven points and continued to shoot with confidence throughout the win.

“I saw my first shot go in and that’s good for me,” Boone said. “I’d been slacking lately and knew I needed to step it up.”

The Lady Rockets improved to 3-0 in league play, handling every team in the district by 20 or more points. Crittenden has now beaten Trigg in five straight, and 19 of the last 23 meetings dating back to 2012.

The Lady Rockets led by 17 early, but Trigg County scratched its way back into the mix in the second half, trailing by just nine early in the third period. Then, Guess warmed up and scored the next six points. Crittenden maintained a double-figure lead the rest of the way.

Trigg County is now 3-4 overall and 1-2 in league play with a win over Lyon County and a loss to Livingston Central. The Lady Wildcats played CCHS closer than the other two teams in the district.

Crittenden Co. 20 27 38 54

Trigg County 3 17 24 34

CRITTENDEN – Guess 21, N.Boone 2, A.Boone 21, Evans 8, Hatfield 2, Federico, Hunt, McDaniel, Rushing. FG 16. 3-pointers 2 (Guess, A.Boone). FT 20-26.

TRIGG – Noffsinger 13, Bush, Hyde 10, Koch, McGee 5, Rogers 4, Grubbs 2, Alexander. FG 11. 3-pointers 1 (McGee). FT 11-20.

THE SHOW: Rocket Basketball with Coach Pigg

Coach Pigg and Travis Champion join us on The Show.

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Crittenden boys and girls sweep Union

Guess gets 30 in pivotal 2nd Region matchup

MARION, Ky. – In an interesting Second Region matchup, Crittenden County led from start to finish Tuesday at home, beateing Union County 49-41.

The Lady Rockets held off a late flurry of offense and defensive pressure from the Bravettes, who are now 5-2.

CCHS senior Taylor Guess scored 30 points to lead the Lady Rockets to their fifth straight win and a 5-1 mark overall.

Crittenden and Union are among the region’s better teams, and the Bravettes had already beaten Madisonville this season.

The Lady Rockets were ahead by a dozen in the first half before Union County drew within a point late in the third period. Some key takeaways and rebounds helped the Rocket girls recover and win by eight.

CCHS was 15-of-25 from the floor, making 5-of-15 from long range and shot 50 percent on two-point fielders. Union was 17-for-38 from the floor, but couldn’t keep pace at the line where CCHS rang up 14 points to the Bravettes’ three.

Guess gets 40 at Lyon County

Senior Taylor Guess scored a career-high 40 points as the Lady Rockets improved to 2-0 in Fifth District action on Friday, beating Lyon County 63-40.

Crittenden County’s defense set the tone early as the Rocket girls raced out to a 14-4 lead only to have it disappear just before the half when Lyon County found some offensive rhythm in its half-court game. 

Guess shredded the Lyons with pinpointing shooting across the board. She scored 10 at the line and hit 14 fielders, including a pair of threes.

CCHS, which has now defeated the Lady Lyons in 10 of the 11 tries, improved to 4-1 overall. Lyon fell to 2-2 and 0-1 in the district. 

Union County 12 22 32 41
Crittenden Co. 18 28 33 49
UNION – Goodloe 3, Morris 16, Steward 10, Beaven, Hagan 8, Hibbs,, Gough 2, Curry 2. FG 17. 3-pointers 4 (Goodloe, Morris, Steward, Hagan). FT 3-4.
CRITTENDEN – Guess 30, N.Boone 5, A.Boone 3, Evans 8, Hatfield 3, Federico. FG 15. 3-pointers 5 (Guess 4, N.Boone). FT 14-22.

Champion, Morgeson carry big load at Union

MORGANFIELD, KY. – Crittenden County’s Travis Champion and Preston Morgeson delivered the knockout blow, playing a spirited second half as the Rockets came from behind to beat Union County 65-63 on the road.

Champion had 19 of his game-high 29 points in the second half and Morgeson had nine in the pivotal third period when the Rockets took the lead for good after trailing by 11 in the first period.

CCHS snapped a three-game losing streak and improved to 3-4 by beating the Braves for just the fifth time in the last 20 meetings.

It was a physical game that went down to the wire.

Champion got nine of his points at the foul as CCHS scored 17 from the stripe compared to Union’s nine. The Braves are now 1-3.

Lyon too much for Rockets

Lyon County beat Crittenden County for the ninth straight time Friday, and as expected, it wasn’t close.

The defending Second Region champion Lyons are the odds on favorite to win the region again and they’re also among the top teams in Kentucky with one of the hottest recruits in the nation. 

Junior Travis Perry, who’s being courted by several high-profile college teams from the SEC, Big 10 and beyond, scored five threes en route to a 27-point game. Perry’s mother and father are both Crittenden County graduates.

A second-half running clock helped ease the pain after the Lyon’s led 32-7 after the first period and by 37 points at intermission.

Crittenden fell to 1-1 in Fifth District action. Lyon chipped up to 4-1 overall and 1-0 in league play. Elsewhere in the district Trigg County beat Livingston Central 78-53. 

Crittenden plays at Trigg County Friday to complete the first round of district action. 

Crittenden Co. 7 25 43 65
Union County 18 26 35 63
CRITTENDEN - Morgeson 21, Champion 29, Hatfield 3, Keller 6, Gobin, Guess, Counts 6. FG 22. 3-pointers 2 (Morgeson). FT 17-24.
UNION – Hughes 13, Hancock 4, Curry 4, Pollard, Manuel 23, Jones 13, Miller 2, Wilson 4. FG 25. 3-pointers 4 (Jones 3, Manuel). FT 9-15.

Rockets fall behind early at Lyon County

EDDYVILLE, Ky. – Lyon County beat Crittenden County for the ninth straight time Friday and as expected, it wasn’t close.

The defending Second Region champion Lyons are the odds on favorite to win the region again and they’re also among the top teams in Kentucky with one of the hottest recruits in the nation. 

Junior Travis Perry, who’s being courted by several high-profile college teams from the SEC, Big 10 and beyond, scored five threes en route to a 27-point game.

A second-half running clock helped ease the pain after the Lyon’s led 32-7 after the first period and by 37 points at intermission.

Crittenden falls to 2-4 overall and is now 1-1 in the district. Lyon is 4-1 overall and 1-0 in league play.

Elsewhere in the district Trigg County beat Livingston Central 78-53. Crittenden will play at Trigg County next Friday to complete the first round of district action. 

Crittenden 7 16 27 38
Lyon Co. 32 53 76 85
CRITTENDEN – Morgeson 10, Champion 13, Walker, Hatfield, Suddoth 2, Sharp 5, Keller, McLean, Gobin 2, Belt, Guess 2, Travis 2, Poindexter 2, Counts. FG 16. 3-pointers 4 (Morgeson 2, Champion, Sharp). FT 2-9
LYON – Perry 27, Shoulders 20, Reddick 18, Kirk 12, Breedlove, Suitor, Collins 2, Co.Collins 2, Burchett, Downing, Crawford, Defew 2, Jo.Reddick, FG 30. 3-pointers 9 (Perry 5, Shoulders, Reddick 3). FT 16-22.

Guess nets 40 in district win at Lyon

 EDDYVILLE, Ky. - Senior Taylor Guess scored a career-high 40 points as the Lady Rockets improved to 2-0 in Fifth District action this season, beating Lyon County 63-40.

Crittenden County’s defense set the tone early as the Rocket girls raced out to a 14-4 lead only to have it disappear just before the half when Lyon County found some offensive rhythm in its half-court game. 

Guess shredded the Lyons with pinpointing shooting across the board. She scored 10 at the line and hit 14 fielders, including a pair of threes.

CCHS, which has now defeated the Lady Lyons in 10 of the 11 tries, improves to 4-1 overall. Lyon is 2-2 now and 0-1 in the district. 

Crittenden County will host Union (4-1) in a key regional matchup on Tuesday. 

Crittenden 16  33 50 63

Lyon Co. 11  27 35 40

CRITTENDEN - Guess 40, Evans 8, A. Boone 6, Hatfield 5, N.Boone 2, McDaniel 2, Federico, Hunt, Rushing, Holeman, Munday, Hodge. FG 23. 3-pointers 3 (Guess 2, Evans). FT 11-15.

LYON - Cotham 2, Phillips 2, Coursey, Wynn 2, Brasher, Edwards, Taylor 13, Holland 12, DeFew 6, Downey, Perry 4. FG 16. 3-pointers 1 (Holland). FT 9-11.