The Crittenden County Lady Rockets are headed to the All A Classic semifinals for the second time in five seasons. Elliot Evans three-pointer from the left corner with just over 19 seconds to go in overtime turned out to be the game-winner as the Crittenden County Lady Rockets overcame a four-point deficit in the final 90 seconds of the extra period to take a heart-stopping 49-47 win over Whitefield Academy.
Evans’ shot made it 48-47. Jordyn Hodge then made 1 of 2 free throws with 7.4 seconds left to make it 49-47. Whitefield Academy, which saw leading scorer Noel Smith foul out with 60 seconds to go in overtime, rushed to get the ball up court for a tying shot attempt but lost control of the ball and the ball crossed out of bounds as the final horn sounded, setting the Lady Rockets and their large contigent of fans into celebration.
The game started off much better for the Lady Rockets than did Wednesday’s opener. Four different players scored in the first eight minutes as Crittenden County took a 12-10 lead after one. Jordyn Hodge and Elliot Evans knocked down threes for the Lady Rockets.
Noel Smith led the Lady Wildcats on a run to begin the second quarter. Whitefield started the quarter on an 8-3 spurt that put them up 18-15 midway through the second. The Lady Wildcats were solid in executing their offense out front, which featured weaves, screens, and ball hand-offs.
Crittenden County got a big second quarter from Morgan Stewart, who scored 7 in the quarter and helped the Lady Rockets battle back to take a 29-25 lead into the break.
The Lady Rockets had the lead at the break despite Whitefield shooting better than 50 percent in the half. The big story for the Lady Rockets was a dominant performance on the glass as they outrebounded the Lady Wildcats 18-8 in the opening half.
Whitefield again made a run to get to the lead in the third quarter. A 7-0 blitz midway through the quarter put the Lady Wildcats up 36-33. But again, the Lady Rockets had the answer, scoring the last four points of the quarter to take a 37-36 lead into the fourth.
Whitfield’s weave offense shortened the final 8 minutes of the game. Noel Smith, who picked up her fourth foul in the third quarter was able to avoid fouling out and helped bring the Lady Wildcats back to the lead at 38-37 at the beginning of the quarter. The lead would change hands four times in the final eight minutes.
Crittenden County had the lead at 43-42 and had the ball with a chance to extend the lead. The Whitefield pressure forced the Lady Rockets into a couple of turnovers and kept the Lady Wildcats alive. Noel Smith made one of two free throws with 14.4 seconds left to tie the game at 43-43. The Lady Rockets turned the ball over as they attempted to get a game-winner giving Whitefield one last chance with just over six seconds left.
Noel Smith got off a shot attempt ahead of the horn that was off the mark and the two teams headed into overtime.
Whitfield got out to a quick 47-43 lead in the extra period setting the stage for the frenetic finish. Georgia Holeman started the comeback with a basket inside the final 90 seconds that cut the lead to 47-45.
Anna Boone led the Lady Rockets with 12 points and 6 rebounds. She was 8 of 8 at the free throw line. Jordyn Hodge also hit double figures with 11 points. Morgan Stewart had a big, big day with 9 points and 9 rebounds.
The Lady Rockets survived an icy-shooting fourth quarter that saw them go 0 of 7 from the field.
Whitefield’s Noel Smith led all players in the game with 30 points. Riley Ring had 9 points and 8 rebounds while Mia Braffet added 8 points.
Crittenden County (16-3) advances to the semifinals for the first time since 2021. They will face Danville Christian, who advanced by knocking off 4th Region champion Metcalfe County 64-52.
Tipoff Saturday is set for 10:30am.
