For the first time in what seems like a decade, Shannon Hodge has to prepare for a basketball season without Taylor Guess on the roster.
But make no mistake. The veteran Crittenden County coach likes her 2023-24 team and thinks they are in a position to continue their recent success at the top of the 5th District and in the region race.
Now at Lindsey Wilson College, Guess graduated as Crittenden County’s all-time leading scorer and the top scorer in 5th District history.
“The three seniors we lost provided the backbone of our play on both ends and were great leaders on and off the floor,” Hodge said.
Now, Hodge has a young team with experience that she gets to mold for the next three years.
“We are very young, nobody older than a sophomore, but we have the pieces we need to build on and be competitive,” Hodge said.
The Lady Rockets return two starters in the backcourt – sophomores Anna Boone and Elliot Evans. Boone averaged 11 points a game and knocked down 30 three-pointers. She was an effective fast-break partner for Guess and will continue to be a nice inside-outside offensive presence.
“Anna will play the point and two-guard. She has the ability to have big nights scoring and rebounding and will be called on to really be a force defensively as well. She is the most experienced player we have so we need her to emerge as a team leader,” Hodge said.
Evans shot 46 percent from the field in scoring eight points a game. She shot 38 percent behind the arc.
“Elliot is great in transition, can knock down the three, and gets on the boards well. She will be called on to score, defend, handle the ball more, and be a leader too,” Hodge said.
Like Boone and Evans, Andrea Federico is a standout on the Lady Rocket softball team. She showed flashes last year of giving the Lady Rockets a true inside presence.
“She is very strong and very versatile. She will be counted on to be relentless on the boards and will draw tough defensive assignments night in and night out. She is gaining confidence offensively and could have some big scoring nights,” the Lady Rocket coach said about her sophomore big.
5-10 sophomore Bristyn Rushing and freshman Morgan Stewart will also give Crittenden some size inside. Hodge said Rushing is better offensively and runs the floor well, while Stewart is a good rebounder who can score in the paint.
Sophomore Georgia Holeman could give Crittenden another perimeter threat and eighth grader Jordyn Hodge will join the backcourt after her middle school season ends.
Without a five-year floor general on the floor, Hodge knows there will be more things to keep an eye on early in the season.
“I will be watching for who is actually stepping up and playing like I think we should. When you start playing against someone with another name across their chest, you really begin to see what you are made of. I will be watching for how we respond to different situations, and what combinations work well together,” Hodge said.
Crittenden County will play in the McCracken County Hoops Classic on Dec. 9 and will play two games in the West Kentucky Hoops Classic at Caldwell County in late December.
The Lady Rockets will also play in the First Bank Holiday Bash at South Warren after Christmas as they prepare for a chance to repeat as All A Classic Region champs in January.
“I feel that we should be competitive in both the All A Classic and the 5th District. It will be about who can progress, adjust, and gain confidence as the season goes on,” Hodge said.
Crittenden County will begin its season on Nov. 27 at Hopkins County Central.
