Lady Rockets head to 5th straight title match

Jordyn Hodge (11) was the team's leading scorer.
Here she guards Aubrey Leahy.

MARION, Ky. – If anyone is surprised that Crittenden County and Lyon County are on a collision course for a postseason Fifth District championship showdown, they haven’t been paying attention since December.

From the season’s first tip, the Lady Rockets and Lady Lyons – along with Henderson County – have stood as the undisputed top tier of the Second Region. The rankings, the eye test and the results have all told the same story. Their work has tracked almost exactly where most observers projected.

On Monday night at Rocket Arena, Crittenden did its part to keep that script intact. And although Lyon started a bit cool against Trigg, the Lady Lyons pulled away just before halftime and never looked back en route to their 73-54 opening-round victory.

The Lady Rockets stormed past Livingston Central 60-30, improving to 23-5 and moving within two victories of tying the school record for wins in a season. Livingston’s season ended at 7-20. Crittenden has punched its ticket for a fifth straight berth in the district title bout. 

Crittenden leads the recent series with Livingston 15-1 and has now won eight straight since 2023.

Monday’s semifinal was essentially decided in the opening minutes. An inside bucket from Bristyn Rushing opened the scoring before Jordyn Hodge buried a 3-pointer from the left corner. Andrea Federico added a transition score, and Elliot Evans converted consecutive steals into layups as the Lady Rockets surged to an 11-0 lead.

By the time Federico and Hodge connected on additional 3s, Crittenden had built a 17-0 advantage. Livingston finally broke through on a basket by senior Aubrey Leahy late in the first quarter, but the Lady Rockets’ pressure defense and perimeter shooting continued to widen the gap. Leahy finished with 21 points – two-thirds of Livingston’s total.

Evans opened the second half with back-to-back 3s, extending the margin to 46-19, and the Lady Rockets methodically closed out the 30-point victory.

Hodge paced Crittenden with 19 points and Evans posted a double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds as the Lady Rockets knocked down 12 3-pointers. Hodge accounted for five of them. A couple of statistical anomalies stood out in the scorebook as Crittenden did not attempt a free throw and made as many 3-pointers as 2-point field goals.

Now comes the championship matchup most expected.

Crittenden faces Lyon County at 6:30 p.m. Thursday in the district championship game. Lyon, ranked No. 1 in the KHSAA power ratings and 25-6 under first-year coach Ricky Baker, entered the week as a heavy favorite in its semifinal and would set up the anticipated title clash if it advances.

It marks the sixth time in 12 years the programs have met for the district crown. The Lady Rockets have won two of the last three championship meetings and three of the last four district tournaments overall. Over the past 11 seasons, Crittenden has captured five district titles, while Lyon has won three.

Since 2010, Crittenden holds a 30-22 edge in the series against Lyon County.

Crittenden and Lyon are ranked Nos. 2 and 1, respectively, in the KHSAA power ratings, and some around the region believe Thursday’s likely matchup may not be the last meeting between the two... a potential regional championship rematch remains on the table.

For now, though, the bracket has unfolded much the way most projected.

The heavyweights are headed toward center stage.

Livingston Central 5 13 21 30
Crittenden County 23 36 46 60
LIVINGSTON – Collins 2, T. Leahy 3, A. Leahy 21, Palmer 1, Wring 2, Mayes. FG 10. 3-pointers 2 (T. Leahy, A. Leahy). FT 7-10.
CRITTENDEN – Boone 3, Evans 15, Hodge 19, Federico 8, Rushing 4, Holeman, Hunt 3, Berry 4, Champion 4, Grau, Rich, Kemmer. FG 24. 3-pointers 12 (Hodge 5, Evans 3, Federico 2, Boone, Hunt). FT 0-0.

Trigg County 11 22 28 54

Lyon County 13 33 55 73

TRIGG – Navarro 12, Mayes, Junes 10, Grinols 19, Norwood 13. FG 20. 3-pointers 6 (Navarro 3, Norwood 3). FT 5-9.

LYON – Taylor 23, P.Cotham 26, Collins 8, Defew 4, Coursey 6, S.Cotham 1, Coffman 2, Perry 3. FG 27. 3-pointers 6 (P.Cotham 3, Taylor, Collins 2). FT 13-23.

Lady Rockets get 22nd win to close out regular season

MARION, Ky. – Crittenden County tuned up for postseason play in emphatic fashion Friday night, dismantling 18-win McLean County 70-49 behind a relentless full-court press and crisp offensive execution.

Crittenden County (22-5) forced early turnovers and raced ahead in the first quarter thanks to a 9-0 run as its pressure defense created havoc. The Lady Rockets pushed the margin to 23-9 and led 24-12 at the end of the first quarter.

The defensive intensity never let up. Crittenden extended the lead to 31-12 midway through the second quarter and carried a 35-21 advantage into halftime.

The Lady Rockets continued to dictate tempo in the second half, building the lead to 53-35 by the end of the third quarter. A 3-pointer by Elliot Evans stretched the margin to 64-41 in the fourth, and Jordyn Hodge followed with an and-one for a 67-41 margin, its largest of the game. The Lady Rockets were as sharp on defense and in sync on offense as they’ve been this season.

Hodge led the Lady Rockets with 25 points, including three 3-pointers. Anna Boone and   and Elliot Evans scored 17 points each, and Evans six rebounds. Bristyn Rushing pulled down seven rebounds. Crittenden finished with 26 field goals and seven 3-pointers.

With those 3-pointers against McLean, the Lady Rockets now have 170 treys on the season. That’s the most ever by a Lady Rocket team, surpassing their previous single-season school record of 161 two years ago.

The win marks Crittenden’s third straight victory over McLean County, now 18-10 this year.

Crittenden County opens Fifth District Tournament action Monday at Rocket Arena against Livingston Central.

McLean County 12 21 35 49

Crittenden Co. 24 35 53 70

MCLEAN – Level 21, Floyd 19, Miller 2, Wagner 7, Mincy, Coffman, Brown. FG 15. 3-pointers 1. FT 12-13

CRITTENDEN – Boone 17, Evans 17, Hodge 25, Federico 4, Rushing 4, Holeman, Berry 3. FG 26. 3-pointers 7 (Hodge 3, Evans 2, Boone 2). FT 11-13.

THE SHOW | 2026 | Tourney Time!

 

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 Kenny Jackson and players Kash Myers, Roane Topp and Brady Dayberry.

CLICK THE LINKS BELOW TO VISIT OUR PARTNERS

Mark Williams and Whitetail Properties 

Re-Elect Bart Frazer County Attorney

Farmers Bank and Trust

Nathan Ratley at Marion Recycling

Livingston Hospital

H&H Home and Hardware

Tanner Tabor at YTG Insurance

First United Bank in Marion

Elect Chad Nelson Crittenden County Attorney

Colby Davis and West KY Launchpad

Stuart Haberlock’s Preferred Tree and Land

Lone Star Construction

Ellington Detailing

Roy Crayne Tire and Equipment Rental 

Johnson’s Furniture and Appliance

Jared Champion at JRC Kennels 

Megan Roberts Chiropractic & Wellness

Kenny Locke and Superior Exteriors 

H and R Block Marion

Starks Sports Training

Darrick Myers USA Mortgage

Fifth District Tournaments Next Week in Marion

 

Rockets close season with loss to Panthers

MARION, Ky. – Crittenden County closed out its regular season at 2-28 Tuesday night with an 83-46 loss to Dawson Springs at Rocket Arena.

The Rockets led 15-13 after the first quarter but were outscored 28-8 in the second period as the Panthers took control. Crittenden managed just three field goals in the second quarter, two of them by Brayden Poindexter.

Poindexter finished with a double-double, scoring 12 points and pulling down a dozen rebounds. Brady Dayberry added eight points and Roane Topp six.

Dawson Springs, now 9-15, was led by Jaydon Plunkette with 31 points, including seven 3-pointers. Cooper Burge added 24 points, hitting three from beyond the arc. The Panthers knocked down 13 three-pointers as a team.

The Rockets are off until the opening round of the 5th District Tournament, which begins Tuesday at 6 p.m. at Rocket Arena against Lyon County.

Dawson Springs 13 41 68 83
Crittenden County 15 23 34 46
DAWSON – Riley 7, Slaton 12, Bouwland 8, Plunkette 31, Burge 24, Drennon 1. FG 26. 3-pointers 13 (Plunkette 7, Burge 3, Bourland 2, Riley). FT 18-23.
CRITTENDEN – Ellington 4, Porter 2, Bumpus, Topp 6, Dayberry 8, Jones 5, Myers, Hutchison 3, C.Poindexter 4, B.Poindexter 12, Counts 2. FG 19. 3-pointers 3 (Jones, B.Poindexter 2). FT 5-12.

Lady Rockets win for first time at Madisonville

MADISONVILLE, Ky. – Crittenden County earned its first win ever at Madisonville Tuesday night, defeating the Maroons 61-50, by jumping out early and holding on late.

The Lady Rockets (21-5) surged to a 26-8 lead after one quarter and withstood a late Madisonville push to secure the historic road victory. The Lady Rockets defeated Madisonville two years ago in Marion, its only other victory over the Lady Maroons in more than 40 years.

Crittenden used offense rebounding and defensive pressure to disrupt Madisonville (10-14) early, forcing turnovers that led to transition points. The Lady Rockets led 36-19 at halftime and pushed the margin to 47-29 late in the third quarter after a 9-3 run capped by a Rushing hook shot with 2:39 remaining in the period.

Madisonville, which held a size advantage, found its rhythm in the fourth quarter and trimmed the deficit to 57-45 with 1:48 to play. The Maroons closed within 59-48 in the final minute, but Crittenden converted at the free-throw line to seal the win.

Senior Anna Boone led Crittenden with 25 points, including three 3-pointers. Sophomore Jordyn Hodge added 17 points with two 3s. The Lady Rockets shot 21 field goals, hit five 3-pointers and went 14 of 16 at the free-throw line.

Crittenden closes the regular season Friday at home against McLean County (18-8), one of the top teams in the 3rd Region.

Crittenden County 26 36 47 61
Madisonville-North 8 19 29 50
CRITTENDEN – Boone 25, Evans 7, Hodge 17, Federico, Rushing 6, Holeman 2, Hunt, Berry 4. FG 21. 3-pointers 5 (Boone 3, Hodge 2). FT 14-16.
MADISONVILLE – Westen 3, Nelson 2, Wright 18, Kirk 6, Gobin 15, Baker 3. FG 17. 3-pointers 6 (Gobin 3, Hams, Baker). FT 9-12.

Rockets lost by 46 at Union County

Freshman Roane Topp

MORGANFIELD, Ky. – Crittenden County dropped its 27th game in 29 outings Monday night, falling 85-39 at Union County.

The Rockets trailed 26-17 after one quarter and 59-25 by halftime as the Braves seized control early. Union extended the margin to 70-33 through three periods and closed out the win by 46.

Freshman Roane Topp led Crittenden with 10 points. Emmitt Ellington and Brady Dayberry added nine points each, while Brayden Poindexter finished with seven. The Rockets hit 14 field goals, including three 3-pointers, and went 4-for-6 at the free-throw line.

Union County placed 11 players in the scoring column.

Crittenden, now 2-27, will close out the regular season tonight at home against Dawson Springs.

Union improved to 17-9.

Crittenden Co. 17 25 33 39
Union County 26 59 70 85
CRITTENDEN – Ellington 9, Porter, Bumpus, Bryant, Topp 10, Dayberry 9, Jones, Myers 2, Hutchison, Martin, C.Poindexter 2, B.Poindexter 7. FG 14. 3-pointers 3 (B.Poindexter, Dayberry, Ellington). FT 4-6.
UNION – Patterson 10, Curry 8, Johnson 15, Hillsman 5, Black 6, Jones 4, Wilson 8, Davis 9, Mills 8, D.Davis 6, Rapier 6. FG 35. 3-pointers 8. FT 7-12.