The Crittenden County Lady Rockets took their first step Monday night towards returning to Richmond for the first time since 2017. Behind a balanced team effort that saw five players score at least eight points, the Lady Rockets cruised by University Heights 70-32 at Blazer Gym in a quarterfinal round game of the 2nd Region All A Classic.
Nahla Woodward got Crittenden County off to a good early start with a couple of quick baskets, as the Lady Rockets opened the game taking a 10-2 lead. Showing strong progress since their season opener, the Lady Blazers fought back, with Alecia Davis leading the way, to cut the lead to three points at 13-10.
At that point, Crittenden County coach Shannon Hodge returned her starters to the court in a five player substitution, and the Lady Rockets promptly scored seven straight to push the lead out to 20-10. Nahla Woodward, who started the quarter with four points, ended the quarter the same way, to set the Lady Rockets in front 26-12.
Crittenden County effectively delivered the knockout blow at the beginning of the second quarter. The Lady Rockets blasted off on an 8-0 run to move the lead out to 34-12. From there, the two teams played pretty much even for the rest of the half, as Crittenden County took a 42-21 lead at the break.
With Riley Smith leading the way, the Lady Rockets used another 8-0 run to open the second half and move the lead out to 50-21. Crittenden County would extend the lead to 60-25 late in the quarter to activate the running clock. The quarter ended with the Lady Rockets up 60-27.
Lady Rocket reserves saw all of the playing time in the final quarter, and with the running clock, the final eight minutes played out quickly, as Crittenden County closed out the game at 70-32.
UHA’s Alecia Davis was the game’s leading scorer with 23 points. Most of the points came as the result of driving to the basket and making layups or drawing fouls.
UHA’s defense did cause the Lady Rockets problems at times, however the Lady Blazers struggled to find the basket off the turnovers they were able to generate.
Riley Smith led the Lady Rockets with 15 points. Jaelyn Duncan also reached double figures with 14.
UHA drops to 0-2 on the season. The Lady Blazers are now scheduled to be off until January 19, when they host Trigg County.
Crittenden County ups their record to 4-0 on the season. The Lady Rockets will face Dawson Springs Thursday night in the first 2nd Region All A semifinal game at Livingston Central.
For more pictures from the game, CLICK HERE
CCHS — 26 16 18 10 – 70
UHA — 12 9 6 5 – 32
Crittenden County (4-0) – Smith 15, Duncan 14, Woodward 9, Conyer 9, Guess 8, Hatfield 6, Easley 5, Moss 2, Perryman 2
University Heights (0-2) – Davis 23, Northington 4, Daniel 3, Bass 2
