With just one starter graduating from a 16-17 team, Crittenden County could be shaping up for a strong basketball season in 2020-21.
The Rockets will say goodbye to Eric O’Leary and his 15.0 points. But the team returns eight of its top nine scorers from this past season.
Crittenden had a bit of an up-and-down season, but went 7-3 over one late-season stretch before falling in the district championship game and the first round of the regional tournament. Lyon County beat the Rockets 78-65 for the 5th District crown. Crittenden then lost to Christian County 77-56 in 2nd Region tourney.
The Rockets have a lot to be excited about for next season — starting with the return of junior point guard Gabe Mott and 6-foot-5 junior center Preston Turley. Both have topped 1,000 career points at Crittenden.
Mott led the team in scoring at 16.0 points a night while shooting 33.9 percent from 3-point range.
Turley tallied 14.3 points a game and grabbed a team-high 8.0 rebounds a contest.
The Rockets played much of the season without junior Tyler Boone, who was injured late in the Rockets’ football campaign. However, Boone came back late in the basketball season to average 10.1 points and 5.9 rebounds over the final 10 games.
Freshman Preston Morgeson averaged 6.0 points a contest and looks set to take on a bigger role in the offense next season.
Sophomore Maddox Carlson scored 2.0 points a game this season and could press for more playing time next season.
If the youngsters come along next season, Crittenden County could be a strong pick as a dark horse in the 2nd Region chase.
