Wyatt McPherson gets position under the basket to score for the Rockets.
The Craig County boys played host to Bath County on Monday with a spot in the Class 1A, Region C tournament on the line. Craig needed a win over the Chargers to advance to the Pioneer District semifinal round and clinch a spot in the regional.
First round results of the Pioneer tournament were too late for publication, but Craig’s game with Bath was a big one for the host Rockets. It was a “pick ‘em” game, as both teams came in with 3-7 district records and split with each other. The other first round game found sixth seeded East Mont at third seeded Narrows while the top two seeds, Covington and Parry McCluer, received first round byes.
The tournament moves to Bath County on Thursday and if the Rockets won Monday they would meet Covington, who is 16-4. The East Mont-Narrows winner would play Parry McCluer.
The Pioneer championship is Saturday at 8 pm with a consolation game at 6 pm. All four teams advance to next week’s regional, with the consolation game determining seeding.
Craig’s overall record coming into the week was 3-14, but the Rockets have been playing better down the stretch. Bath came in at 5-14 and the two were evenly matched, with Craig getting a home game due to the tie-breaker.
Caleb Todd fires up a three-pointer from the corner against Narrows.
“I don’t think you can get more evenly matched teams,” said Craig coach Ryan Frazier.
The Rockets finished the regular season with three losses in three days last week, including two losses to Narrows. They hosted the Green Wave last Thursday for “Senior Night” and dropped a 61-48 decision. Dalton McPherson led Craig with 15 points, Jesse Brizendine had 10 and Devin Hutchison had nine.
On Friday night the Rockets were in Buena Vista where they lost to host Parry McCluer, 73-18. The Blues raced to a 44-10 first half lead and never looked back.
On Saturday the Rockets traveled to Narrows for their third game in as many days and dropped a 75-48 decision. Noah Nichols had 10 and Wyatt and Dalton McPherson had nine each.
“That’s a tough way to end the season, with three games in three days,” said Frazier.
Craig had Sunday to rest before Monday’s important game with Bath, and the outcome of that game determines if the Rockets’ season continues.
