The rebuilding project continues in Marion with a former Rocket set to move Crittenden County out of the 5th District cellar.
Ken Jackson, who had varying levels of success while coaching Northside Baptist, a small Christian school in Mayfield, over the past eight years, has been selected to lead a Crittenden County basketball program that was winless last season and has won just 14 games in the past three seasons.
“I’m ready to let the past be the past, and want my team to write a new chapter,” Jackson said.
He hopes to do with Crittenden County what he did at Northside Baptist: build a program based on fundamentals and sportsmanship. Competing in the Kentucky Christian School Athletic Association, Jackson’s teams won a state championship and two state runner-up finishes.
Jackson’s teams at Northside Baptist were known for their pressing style of play, which led to transition buckets and open three-pointers, and he’ll look to do the same at Crittenden County.
The Rockets return two of their three leading scorers from last season.
Jackson calls sophomore Drake Young (7.8 ppg., 36% 3-point) “a phenomenal shooter with just an extremely high IQ who will be a go-to player when we need a boost.”
Senior Brayden Poindexter averaged six points and led the Rockets with six boards a game.
“He brings energy and physicality and will be a brute on the boards and hopefully give us a handful of second-chance points,” Jackson said.
Junior Logan Martin will be expected to run the point for the Rockets, while junior Brady Dayberry and sophomore Jack Porter give them more experienced guards.
Jackson said freshman Roane Topp has worked hard over the summer and will battle on the inside for the Rockets alongside senior Jay Stevenson, a football player who Jackson said “will bring the energy and toughness that will make a big impact.”
Solid numbers greet Jackson as he looks to win early in the season ahead of the All A Classic Region Tournament in January.
“I feel like we are deeper than most teams with equal talent. We are going to have to break out some heart and play hard every game,” he said.
Jackson is eager to begin rebuilding the program at Crittenden County, a place he called home for 18 years before moving to Mayfield.
“My passion is always helping others, and what better place to give back than the place that I called home for 18 years,” he said. “These folks have given me a very warm welcome, and now it’s my duty to work hard and turn this team into something special.”
Jackson says that begins with “playing as a team, earning respect, building confidence, and finishing the season better than they started.”
Crittenden County opens its season at Webster County on Tuesday, looking to snap a six-game losing streak to the Trojans.
The Rockets will play in the St. Mary Christmas Classic before Christmas and will only play two home games in December.
