Coming off a tough loss Saturday at Hopkins County Central, the Christian County Lady Colonels headed into a battle of regional contenders Tuesday night as the Crittenden County Lady Rockets came rolling into Lyle Dunbar Gym. Christian County also had to do so without starting point guard Anaysia Bagwell.
Never fear. The Lady Colonels got a big night from senior NeVaeh Day and some timely plays from DEbony Anderson and Lazarie Daniel as Christian County took a 56-49 win over the 2nd Region All A champions.
The game was close throughout the opening half of play. Crittenden County took an early 5-2 lead and held the lead for most of the first quarter. Anna Boone and Elliot Evans had solid starts for the Lady Rockets.
Christian County, behind the play of NeVaeh Day and DaNiya Bradley, battled back and took a 15-14 lead late in the first. Crittenden County would tie it at 15-15 just before the quarter ended.
Then the Lady Colonels got a big spark from DEbony Anderson, who scored the last basket of the quarter to give Christian County a 17-15 lead after one. Anderson then scored the first basket of the second quarter to extend the lead to 19-15.
Anna Boone and Jordyn Hodge brought the Lady Rockets back even at 19-19 and the battle for the rest of the half was on. The game was then tied at 21-21, 23-23, 25-25, and 27-27.
Enter again DEbony Anderson. The senior guard scored a couple of buckets late and helped Christian County take a 31-27 lead into the locker room at the half.
There was bad news for Crittenden County in the quarter as Elliot Evans, who had injured an ankle the week prior to the All A Classic state tournament, reinjured that ankle and did not return to the game.
It was a nip and tuck first halt. The biggest lead for Crittenden County was three and the biggest lead for Christian County was four. The game was tied seven times.
The first part of the third quarter was more of the same. After a NeVaeh Day free throw gave Christian County its biggest lead of the night to that point at 32-27, Crittenden County, led by Jordyn Hodge, battled back and pulled even again at 32-32. The game would be tied at 34-34 and 35-35, and then the turnover bug bit the Lady Rockets and bit pretty hard for a stretch of the quarter. Those turnovers then allowed Christian County to go on a quick 9-1 run and take a 44-36 lead.
Crittenden County then got back to attacking the basket and closed out the third quarter with four free throws to make it 44-40 heading into the final quarter.
The Lady Rockets completed a 7-0 run by scoring the first three points of the fourth quarter making it 44-43.
Crittenden County pulled even again on an Anna Boone free throw at 46-46.
NeVaeh Day, who gave the Lady Rockets all kinds of trouble down in the paint all night long, came up with a rebound basket and a drive to the basket to make it 50-46 inside the final two minutes.
After a free throw from Anna Boone, the Lady Colonels, keyed by their defense, closed out the game with a 6-2 spurt to take the seven-point win.
NeVaeh Day was a force for Christian County, finishing with 20 points. Lazarie Daniel had 12 points and DEbony Anderson scored 10 very timely points for the Lady Colonel.
Crittenden County was paced by Jordyn Hodge with 20 points. Anna Boone was the only other Lady Rocket in double digits with 14.
With the win Christian County improves to 15-9 for the season. The Lady Colonels are now off until February 15 when they go to Union County.
Crittenden County drops to 17-5 and will host Dawson Springs Friday night.
