The Rocket basketball teams are hoping to get some games in this week despite a forecast of more freezing temperatures in Craig County. The girls home game with Christiansburg on Monday was postponed as temperatures dipped into single digits.
The Rockets were scheduled to play Pioneer District games against Eastern Montgomery on Tuesday of this week, with the boys at home and the girls in Elliston. Tonight, Wednesday, the boys have a jayvee-varsity doubleheader at home against the Boys Home of Virginia out of Covington.
On Friday the boys are at Highland for a jayvee-varsity doubleheader, beginning with a 5:30 pm jayvee game. On Saturday the Rocket junior varsity will host James River at 1 pm.
Next week temperatures are expected to be somewhat warmer, and on Tuesday the Rocket teams will play Bath County. The boys are at Bath for a jayvee-varsity doubleheader and the girls are home for just a varsity game, scheduled for 6 pm.
After two weeks of postponements the girls were able to get two games in last week. They hosted Narrows in a Pioneer District game and dropped a 58-13 decision. Daileigh Donithan led Craig with seven points and four rebounds. Kallie Fisher had four boards and three assists.
“We had some good moments throughout the game but let the game get away from us early on,” said coach Erica Crabtree. “We picked up in the second half but had already dug ourselves a hole. The girls didn’t give up and fought until the end, it just took us a little while to get started.”
On Thursday of last week the girls played at Parry McCluer and fell 53-31. Craig is now 1-10.
“We played a great first half but let the third quarter slip away from us,” said Crabtree. “Everyone found their role and played it during this game and we played some of the best basketball we have played all season.”
Donithan led Craig with nine points against the Blues followed by Brooklyn Cayton with seven. Fisher had seven rebounds and five assists. Gracie Huffman and Madison Underwood had four points each and Jenna Boitnotte grabbed five rebounds.
“I am extremely proud of their effort,” said Crabtree. “We have a few things to work out but overall we are playing the type of basketball we need to play.”
The boys got three games in last week and dropped all three to fall to 0-14 on the season. On Wednesday at Narrows the Rockets lost 69-40 followed by a 67-41 home loss to Parry McCluer a night later.
On Saturday the Rockets played an afternoon game at James River and fell 46-30. Craig trailed 17-9 at the half but cut the lead to 28-27 in the fourth quarter before the host Knights went on an 18-3 run.