Sawyer Towery buried a 3-pointer with 2.1 seconds left to give Crittenden County a 46-44 win over Livingston Central Monday in the Fifth District semifinals in Smithland. The Rockets move into Thursday’s championship game against Lyon County, a 56-36 winner over Trigg County.
Crittenden County seemed in control of the game as they built a 39-31 lead with 6:19 left. Bryce Stein scored four straight points for the Cardinals, and Max Downey and T’Roy Ringstaff hit consecutive 3-pointers to tie the game at 41 with 3:08 left.
Cameron Head, who hit a game-winning 3-pointer to beat the Rockets Feb. 1 in Marion, appeared to again be the hero when he took and inbounds pass and split the defense for a layup with six seconds left to put the Cardinals up 44-43.
After a timeout, Gabe Mott penetrated the lane and kicked a pass to Towery in the right corner for the game-winning shot. Towery finished with three 3-pointers and nine points for the Rockets. Preston Turley scored 12 points and grabbed seven rebounds, and Gavin Dickerson added 11 points for Crittenden County (11-17).
Stein led Livingston Central with 15 points and six rebounds before fouling out with 52 seconds left. Steven Mayhugh scored 10 points and had eight rebounds for the Cardinals, who season ends with a record of 15-14 and will miss winning their first district title in seven years.
Crittenden County and Lyon County will meet in a district title rematch as the Rockets look to defend the title they won 52-51 last year.
