Rockets fall on the road

The Rockets got trapped and lost 60-53 at Hopkins Central Tuesday night in a game between two Second Region upper, middleweights.

A lack of aggressiveness against Hopkins Central's halfcourt trapping defense helped lead to the Rockets' demise.

After a sluggish first half by the visitors, which saw them commit too many mental mistakes on both ends of the court, Crittenden (12-7) found itself faced with a 30-21 halftime deficit.

However, the Rockets were a totally different team at the start of the second half. Crittenden began the third quarter on a 9-0 run to tie the score at 30-all. In fact, the Storm did not manage their first field goal of the second half until the 3:55 mark of the third period.

The rest of that quarter proved to be a seesaw affair before the the hosts claimed a slim 40-39 advantage to end the period.

The Storm (9-8) would never trail again thanks in large part to a very impressive 18-of-20 second-half showing from the charity stripe. The Rockets went 9-for-12 at the free throw line.

With 23 seconds remaining in the contest, the Rockets found themselves on the short end of a 57-53 score. Still, though, with enough time to either win the game in regulation or possibly force overtime. Yet, those hopes evaporated after throwing away an inbounds pass underneath their own goal.

Crittenden ranks fifth among regional teams in regard to overall record while Hopkins Central is ninth. The Storm, however, is 5-2 against Second Region teams while Crittenden County is 10-6.

GAME SUMMARY
Crittenden Co. 9 12 18 14
Hopkins Central 12 18 10 20

CRITTENDEN (53) - Lanham 4, Beverly 9, Hunt 2, Thompson 2, Findley 0, Hart 4, Robinson 12, Easley, Croft 6, Hill 12, Moss, Travis, Guess 2. FG 21-54. FT 9-12. 3-Pointers 2-8 (Hill). Fouls 19. Rebounds 37 (Beverly 7).

HOPKINS CENTRAL (60) - Chandler 8, Folk 6, Cofman 19, Jackson 10, Roberts 11, Bruce 6. FG 19-50. FT 20-25. 3-Pointers 2-9 (Coffman). Fouls 16. Rebounds 31 (Jackson 8).