Girls' game is on; boys' game canceled

High school basketball season gets off to a wintry start tonight. 

Despite the weather, Crittenden County's Lady Rockets home matchup against Caldwell County will be held as scheduled. 

However, the CCHS boys' game at Webster County has been cancelled. 

THE SHOW | Basketball Week 1 with Coach Jackson

 

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 Show features first-year boys' coach Kenny Jackson.

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

Lady Rockets begin pursuit of history

See List of 500 Club | Career Scoring Leaders

MARION, Ky. – To celebrate opening day of basketball practice for KHSAA teams across the state, let's take a look at what fans can expect this season. 

For starters, Crittenden County’s girls’ basketball program could make history this season, not just with wins, but with points. The Lady Rockets have their sights set on becoming the winningest team in history, and they're well primed and loaded under 33-year head coach Shannon Hodge.

Seniors Anna Boone and Elliot Evans and sophomore Jordyn Hodge are all climbing the Lady Rockets’ all-time scoring list. Boone currently ranks third with 1,754 points, Evans sits at 932, and Hodge, in just her third varsity season, already has 654.

Taylor Guess, now playing at Lindsey Wilson University, is the all-time scoring leader with 2,643 points.

If Evans and Hodge each reach the 1,000-point milestone this winter, it would mark the first time in school history three active players on the same team have scored 1,000 or more career points.

Boone, a starter since middle school, continues to close in on former standout Cassidy Moss, who is second on the all-time list with 1,829 points.

Meanwhile, Evans is within striking distance of the top 10, and Hodge – younger sister of Jessi Hodge, a 2011 senior – is poised to continue the family legacy. That 2011 season was also the only time Crittenden won a regional championship, a goal this year’s squad has firmly set in its sights.

With three potential 1,000-point scorers leading the charge, the Lady Rockets may be on the verge of another special run.

Former Rocket coach Weaver dies

James “Big Norm” Weaver, who coached basketball at Crittenden County High School from 1980 to 1982, has died at age 79. Weaver led the Rockets for two seasons, compiling a 19-31 record during his time in Marion.

\A standout player at Allen County High School and Western Kentucky University, Weaver went on to a long career in coaching and school administration across Kentucky. He was inducted into multiple athletic halls of fame.

His full obituary will appear in the July 24, 2025 edition of The Crittenden Press.

Lady Rocket Awards Ceremony

Crittenden County High School’s girls’ basketball team held its annual awards ceremony last week. Among those honored were (front from left) Breanna Walker, manager recognition; Chloe Hunt, Lady Rocket Pride Award; Bristyn Rushing, X Factor Award; Anna Boone, Most Valuable Player, Fear Factor Award, Best Teammate Award and statstical awards for 3-point shooting, free throws, points, rebounds, deflections, steals, assists and blocks; Andrea Federico, Warrior Award; Georgia Holeman, Spark Award; Elliot Evans, Dog Award; (back) Kylie Hunt, manager recognition; Brodi Rich, Hustle Award; Sarah Grau, Most Improved Award; Jordyn Hodge, Iron Woman Award; Adri Berry, Impact Award; Morgan Stewart, X Factor Award and statistical award for best field goal percentage; and Abigail Champion, Challenge Award.

Rocket alumn Jackson named new head coach

Crittenden County native Kenny Jackson is returning home to lead the Rocket basketball program, becoming the team’s fourth head coach in six seasons.

Jackson replaces Matt Fraliex, who stepped down a few weeks ago after a winless 0-26 campaign in 2025. The Rockets went 3-25 the previous season in Fraliex’s first year as head coach, and have struggled in recent years, with records of 11-18 in 2023, 14-17 in 2022, and 13-10 in a COVID-shortened 2021, which was its last winning season.

The new coach brings a strong foundation of fundamentals, sportsmanship  and conditioning to the court, values he says will be critical in turning the program around.

“We have to be in great shape and play with a lot of heart and intensity,” said Jackson. “I believe in teaching discipline on and off the court.”

A 1993 graduate of Crittenden County High School, Jackson was a Rocket himself before beginning his coaching career in Mayfield. At Northside Baptist Christian Church, he spent seven seasons building a successful program that produced a state championship, two state runner-up finishes and three trips to the Elite 8 of the Kentucky Christian School Champion series.

“My goals are simple, to have a successful program, win games, boost confidence and build relationships with the community,” Jackson said.

Married to his wife, Susan, for 28 years, Jackson has two sons, Tanner, 25, and Alex, 21, and three grandchildren. He enjoys watching Kentucky basketball, playing golf and spending time with his family. Now, he’s focused on the future of Rocket basketball.

“I am looking forward to leading the boys basketball program to many successful seasons,” Jackson said. “And I’m excited to become involved again with the community.”

Jackson is expected to begin duties soon, as summer league play begins in June for high school basketball. The community met him Thursday at Rocket Arena.

POST-SEASON BASKETBALL AWARDS

 

Rocket Basketball PostSeason Awards

Pictured are (front from left)  Junior Cowsert, 5 Pillars Award; Jayden Jones, 5 Pillars Award; Klayton Murray, Hustle Award; Logan Martin, Rocket Award; Brayden Poindexter, Highest 2-Point Field Goal Percentage, Rebounding and Most Valuable Player awards; (back) Conner Poindexter, 5 Pillars Award; Hudson Stokes, Hustle Award; Emmitt Ellington, Most Improved; Jack Porter, Assist Award; Brady Dayberry, 5 Pillars Award; Andrew Candelario, Rocket Award; and Coby LaRue, Highest Field Goal Percentage Award. Not pictured: Jay Stevenson, 5 Pillars Award and  Drake Young, Highest 3-Point Field Goal Percentage.