ROCKETS CRUSH CALDWELL
Head to district title game

With everything on the line Tuesday in the opening round of the Fifth District Tournament at Livingston Central, the Rockets never blinked.

The Crittenden boys had no trouble ensuring a spot in Friday night's championship game and a berth in next week's Second Region Tournament at Hopkinsville.

District top seed Crittenden County (17-8) destroyed Caldwell County 71-48 in the tournament semifinal round, guaranteeing the Rockets' fourth championship game appearance in six years. It was 1998, however, the last time they captured the tourney crown.

The Tigers (8-17), playing on back-to-back nights after Monday's 75-67 win over host Livingston Central, gave Crittenden a competitive first quarter. However, fatigue began to take its toll from the second period on as the Rockets' vaunted full-court press forced Caldwell into countless mistakes.

Crittenden coach Jimmy Croft knew Caldwell might be tired after just one day's rest. So he poured on the pressure, hoping to cause havoc and wear down the Tigers in a hurry. It worked. Caldwell's 14 turnovers came against the Rocket pressure defense, and some good shooting allowed Crittenden to run ahead by 20 early in the game.

After the Rockets claimed a 27-13 lead with 3:36 left in the first half, they began to put the game away going on a 14-8 run and leading 41-21 at halftime.

Tiger leading-scorer Josh Landacre scored 29 against the Rockets during his team's 12-point loss at Princeton during the regular season, but this time a sticky man-to-man defense limited him to just a dozen. He was the only Caldwell player to reach double digits in the elimination game.

Meanwhile, the Rockets were much more balanced. Payton Croft led a trio of players in double figures, recording 16 points including four treys. The sophomore guard has averaged 19 points in his last three games. He scored a dozen in the first half Tuesday night.

Senior center Zack Beverly pitched in 13 points and eight rebounds while T.K. Guess added 10 points. Senior Nick Parker had eight points and eight boards for the Rockets.

The Rocket skipper sensed his squad would turn in a crisp performance well before tipoff.
"We were coming off three of the best practices we've had all year," Croft said, pointing to the fact that his club seems to be peaking the right time.

"I feel like we've found ourselves as a basketball team," he added.

Croft said he doesn't have a preference in regard to which team he would like to see in Friday's title game ­ either Lyon or Trigg. The two square off in the other semifinal game Thursday (tonight).

The Rockets swept Trigg County during regular season play while dropping two of three games against Lyon. The last setback against the Lyons occurred in the semifinal round of the Class A Second Region Tourney. Its only win against Lyon was in overtime at Lyon.

GAME SUMMARY
Caldwell Co. 11 10 12 15
Crittenden Co. 19 22 18 12

CRITTENDEN (71) - Croft 16, Guess 10, Robinson 6, Beverly 13, Findley 1, Hill 7, Travis 3, Hunt, Lanham 3, Parker 8, Hart 2, Thompson 2, Easley. FG 25-56. FT 17-29. 3-Pointers 4-10 (Croft 2, Parker, Travis). Fouls 24. Fouled out Hunt. Rebounds 47 (Parker 8, Beverly 8).
CALDWELL (48) - Harris 9, Landacre 12, Fraliex 5, Doub 8, Prince 6, Deason 5, Wallace 2, Hawkins 1, Rogers, Bloodworth, Copeland. FG 16-56. FT 15-24. 3-Pointers 1-12 (Fraliex) Fouls 24. Fouled out Harris. Rebounds 37 (Landacre 8).