Caldwell County got 29 points and 11 rebounds from 2nd Region Player of the Year Jabrion Spikes while turning back Crittenden County 79-69 Friday night in Princeton.
The Tigers led most of the way, but the Rockets stayed within striking distance much of the night.
Caldwell (18-10) rolled out to a 21-11 lead after one quarter and took a 37-31 lead to halftime.
Crittenden (13-15) got as close as three points in the third period before Caldwell went to the final frame with a 59-52 advantage.
The Tigers took their biggest lead of the night at 69-55 following a driving layup by Spikes with 4:34 left in the contest.
The Rockets could never get closer than seven points the rest of the way.
Spikes now has 1,399 career points and is just nine behind Timmy Riley for sixth on the Tigers’ all-time scoring list.
Spikes pushed his season point total to 825. Only Matt Fraliex has scored more points in a season for the Tigers (872 in 2006-07).
Spikes now has 325 rebounds this season, which is just one behind Michael Gray (1987-88) for third on Caldwell’s single-season list. Greg Smith (367 rebounds in 1963-64) and Eli Pepper (371 in 2014-15) are the top two.
Caldwell also got big nights from Zavy Bumphus and Demaurius Thompson on Friday, with 19 and 16 points, respectively.
Crittenden’s Preston Morgeson matched Spikes with 29 points. Travis Champion had 14 and Tanner Beverly 10 for the Rockets.
The Tigers have now taken six straight from Crittenden and 15 of the last 16 meetings.
Caldwell will host the 7th District tournament next week at the CAB gym.
Crittenden County 11 20 21 17 — 69
Caldwell County 21 16 22 20 —79
Crittenden County (13-15) — Morgeson 29, Champion 14, Beverly 10, Derrington 8, Davidson 4, Yates 2, Cooksey 2.
Caldwell County (18-10) — Spikes 29, Bumphus 19, Thompson 16, Whittington 6, Riley 6, Vivrette 3.
