Caldwell County built a 14-point lead after one quarter, but had to come from behind to win 65-61 at Crittenden County Tuesday night.
Down 25-11 after 8 minutes, the Rockets battled all the way back to take a 54-52 lead midway through the fourth quarter.
A 3-pointer by Travis Champion allowed Crittenden to regain the lead 60-59 with 1:16 to play.
But Collin Whittington answered with a 3 at the other end 10 seconds later to push Caldwell back in front 62-60.
Crittenden (8-10) had the ball, trailing 63-61, in the closing seconds. However, Demaurius Thompson came up with a steal out front for the Tigers. He fed the ball ahead to Jabrion Spikes, who threw down a dunk at the other end just ahead of the final to put the exclamation point on Caldwell’s four-point triumph.
Caldwell (14-4) got 34 points from Spikes in the contest. Carter Whittington added eight points and Collin Whittington had seven.
Spikes got off to a hot start Tuesday, scoring 17 points in the first quarter help the Tigers’ build their double-digit lead.
Caldwell led 36-29 at halftime and held a 44-40 advantage through three quarters.
The game was tight throughout the final stanza, with neither side ever leading by more than four points.
Preston Morgeson and Travis Champion each had 16 points to lead Crittenden.
Caldwell has now taken five straight from the Rockets and 14 of the last 15 meetings. The Tigers hold a 97-45 advantage in the all-time series.
Crittenden next visits Fort Campbell on Friday.
Caldwell, which has won eight of its last nine games this season, hosts 7th District rival Hopkins County Central Friday night for Homecoming.
Caldwell County 25 11 8 21—65
Crittenden County 11 18 11 21—61
Caldwell County (14-4) — Jabrion Spikes 34, Carter Whittington 8, Collin Whittington 7, Dewey Riley 5, Blake Vivrette 5, Demaurius Thompson 5, Elijah Shaheen 1.
Crittenden County (8-10) — Preston Morgeson 16, Travis Champion 16, Tanner Beverly 9, Hayden Adamson 7, Trace Derrington 5, Tristan Davidson 4, Holden Cooksey 4.
