Fifth District Champs | Defense hauls home title

CADIZ, Ky. – Defense did the dirty work, and Anna Boone’s NBA-range threes brought the house down Thursday as Crittenden County beat Lyon County 64-49, claiming the team’s third Fifth District championship in the last four years.

Playing for the title has become routine for the four starting juniors, who have been part of every tournament since their eighth-grade season. Boone and classmate Andrea Federico provided the lift CCHS needed at key points in the game.

Anna Boone drives down the floor

Sophomore Jordyn Hodge played a pivotal role, keeping Lyon guard Piper Cotham – the Fifth District Player of the Year – five points below her season average. The job would have been much cleaner had Cotham not gotten lost in traffic three times in the second half, getting open to sink three-pointers. She scored only three points in the first half.

“I couldn’t be more proud of these girls,” said 33-year Lady Rocket skipper Shannon Hodge. “Defending to the end and Anna Boone hitting those two big threes. I am just so excited for these girls.”

CCHS led by as many as eight points in the first half and 10 in the third period, but Lyon roared back behind Cotham’s long-range shots and Trinity Taylor and Jenna Cousey’s play around the basket. Cotham dropped a couple of foul shots with just over three minutes to play, bringing her team within two, 51-49, but that was it for the Lyons. Crittenden County shut them out the rest of the way as Boone scored eight down the stretch to lead a 12-0 run over the game’s final three minutes.

“I could hear Coach Hodge say, ‘Don’t shoot,’” Boone said with a chuckle about the first fourth-quarter three-pointer she took from the deep wing just steps in front of her coach on the sideline.

Jordyn Hodge is freed by a screen

That shot was nothing but net, and so was the follow-up seconds later. It was the proverbial nail CCHS needed to close out the Lyons, a team that has been a pesky adversary for the last several seasons.

Last year’s regional player of the year, Boone scored in various ways against Lyon, finishing with a game-high 25 points.

Over the past 11 years, CCHS has faced the Lyons six times in the district finale, winning three and losing three. It was Lyon’s turn last season, and that one still sticks with the girls.

“This one meant a lot. We all remember what happened last year and didn’t want that again,” said Federico, who was both tough and soft around the basket at the right times and finished with 15 points.

Boone, Hodge and Elliot Evans were named to the All Fifth District team.

Crittenden and Lyon both advance to next week’s regional tournament at Christian County. CCHS will get a runner-up from another Second Region district and the Lyons will play a district champ. The pairings will be determined on Saturday. Crittenden will play either Monday or Tuesday in the first round. 

Around the Second Region, Henderson beat Union County for the Sixth District championship, Christian County beat Hopkinsville for the Eighth District title and Madisonville and Hopkins Central play Friday night at Princeton for the Seventh District championship. 

Lyon County 13 23 41 49
Crittenden Co. 14 26 45 64
LYON – Taylor 15, Cotham 15, Collins 3, Coursey 10, Perry 6, Akridge. 3-pointers 4 (Cotham 3, Taylor). FT 7-11.
CRITTENDEN – Boone 25, Evans 8, Hodge 6, Federico 15, Rushing 6, Stewart 4. 3-pointers 3 (Boone). FT 17-20.