Crittenden accepts the runnerup trophy after the game.

Too much Prince
Trigg upsets Rockets in district final

It took a virtually flawless effort by Trigg County and a prince of a game from the Wildcats' guard to beat Crittenden County 75-71 in the Fifth District Championship game.

Trigg point guard Prince Northington scored 34 points and center Kenny Turner added 22, giving the Wildcats a one-two punch that knocked top-seed Crittenden out of title tilt.

The Rockets played a superb game. However, a mistake here and turnover there eventually damaged their chances. A big turnover ­ a traveling call with four seconds to play ­ cost Crittenden dearly. They had a chance to tie the game with a 3-pointer in the closing seconds, but as the Rockets pushed the ball up the floor, freshman T.K. Guess was whistled for steps.

Crittenden had trailed by as many as 10 points in the final period, but pulled within one when Payton Croft went coast to coast for a layup with eight seconds to go. Croft immediately fouled Northington on the inbounds play, but the Trigg catalyst was deadly from the stripe, sinking both shots and setting the stage for Crittenden's last chance just before the traveling turnover.

Northington shot the lights out, sinking nearly everything he put up and from any where. His ability to create offense off of the dribble also opened up the inside where Turner hurt the Rockets.

Crittenden senior Zack Beverly played an outstanding game, scoring 20 points in a gutsy effort on the block.

Cody Robinson and Tim Hill added 11 points apiece. Both earned a spot on the all-tournament team. Guess had 10 points and played a great game despite the late mistake. Rocket senior Nick Parker also made the all-tournament team.

It was the third time Trigg and Crittenden have met this season. The Rockets won both regular season matchups, but couldn't pull off the hat trick in the tournament championship.

Crittenden and Trigg both advance to next week's Second Region Tournament at Hopkinsville.

Running Score by Quarters
Crittenden 15.....33.....47.....71
Trigg Co....22....37....57.....75

CRITTENDEN - Hunt 5, Parker 4, Thompson, Croft 8, Guess 10, Hill 11, Robinson 11, Hart 2, Beverly 20, Findley.
TRIGG - Northington 34, Turner 22, J.Jones 6, E.Jones 7, Holland 2, Bragdon 4.