Playing its first game since a holiday travel experience that resembled John Candy from the movie ‘Planes, Trains, and Automobiles,’ the Crittenden County Lady Rockets held off Christian County 50-47 Thursday at Lyle Dunbar Gymnasium.
The Lady Rockets joined Hopkins County Central in remaining unbeaten (7-0) against region competition. Two schools — Henderson County and Fort Campbell — have yet to play a region school.
Crittenden County showed no signs of any airport fatigue or bus lag from a trip to Florida last week to play three games. The Lady Rockets scored the first eight points of the game and led 13-3 early.
Anaysia Bagwell scored the final five points of the quarter for Christian County to bring the Lady Colonels to within 13-8 by the end of the quarter.
Christian County continued its run as a three-point play by Evanna McGregor tied the game at 13. Crittenden County was able to regain its balance and retain a 25-22 lead at halftime.
The second half was a physical affair with two free throws by Bagwell with 5:25 left in the quarter gave the Lady Colonels their first lead of the game. Bagwell would go to the bench with her fourth foul and the game tied at 33 with 2:37 remaining in the third quarter.
Crittenden took a tenuous 37-35 lead into the final quarter as they looked to seal their first win over the Lady Colonels in 12 years.
Bagwell returned to the game early in the fourth quarter when NeVaeh Day fouled out. Crittenden only hit two 3-pointers in the game but they came on the next two possessions to increase their lead to 43-37 with 4:40 left.
Down a point with 3:03, Bagwell would join Day on the Lady Colonel bench with five fouls. Christian County tied the game at 47 with a Sarah Harris bucket with 1:03 left, but she would foul out 15 seconds later.
Taylor Guess and Elliot Evans combined to hit three free throws in the final 26 seconds to push the lead to 50-47. Christian County got a good look to tie in the final seconds but a game-tying 3-pointer rimmed out
Guess finished the game with 24 points and 19 rebounds. She was 15-of-20 from the free throw line, including 6-of-10 in the final quarter. She was one of three Lady Rockets to score in the contest. Anna Boone scored 17 points, and Evans added nine. As a team, Crittenden County hit 20-of-29 free throws.
Bagwell led the Lady Colonels with 15 points and Harris tallied 13 points and 11 rebounds.
Christian County was outrebounded 41-39 and shot just 12-of-26 at the free throw line.
Christian County will host University Heights Academy Friday night while Crittenden County gets their turn at the Lady Blazers Saturday afternoon in Marion.
Crittenden County 13 12 12 13–50
Christian County 8 14 13 12–47
Crittenden County (9-3) — Guess 24, A. Boone 17, Evans 9
Christian County (5-8) — Bagwell 15, Harris 13, McGregor 10, Day 3, Bradley 3, Northington 3
