Three Craig County boys were named to the All-Pioneer District team. Senior Matt Lucas was named to the first team, senior Hayden Reynolds was a second team selection and Jaycob Wolfe, a junior, was deemed Honorable Mention. Record File Photos.
Three Craig County Rockets were recently named to the All-Pioneer District basketball team, including first team selection Matthew Lucas.
Lucas, who scored over 1,000 points in his Rocket career, was named to the first team for the third year in a row. Another senior, Hayden Reynolds, made the second team and junior Jaycob Wolfe was a third team selection.
The Rockets finished the season with a 7-15 overall record and were one win away from making the Region 1C tournament for the third year in a row. Craig dropped a 50-48 game at Eastern Montgomery when a foul was called with a second to go and East Mont drained two free throws. A win in that game would have put Craig in the regional.
“Tough end of the season,” said coach Ryan Frazier. “We had higher expectations for the season, but things happen and you try your best to overcome, but that’s life. I felt we fought hard until the very end, and that says a lot about our guys.”
Craig will graduate seniors Lucas, Reynolds, Will Johnson, Seth Parsons and Martin Campbell.
“This was a really good group to coach this year,” said Frazier. “They are really good kids, who I see a lot of potential when they get out on their own. This is a group of seniors I see being successful after they graduate.
“I will miss all of them in what they brought to the team this season. They all had different roles and were vital to the team. We hope that all of them keep in touch and come back to help us out from time to time.”
Looking to the future, the Rockets will return Honorable Mention All-District forward Wolfe and some other good pieces.
“We have a few returning players that had big roles on the team,” said Frazier. “Jaycob is back for his senior year and Talon Ritter was also a starter this season and will return for his senior season. Luke Potter, who was a starter for us for most of the year, will be back for his junior season, as will Tristan Dooley, who was getting increased minutes as the season went on.
“Isiah Wente and Cam Huffman both improved as the season went on, and they will look to make the step up for their senior season as well. These players return along with what we have coming up from the jayvee team. A lot can change in a year. We need to work hard, returners and newcomers alike, to improve for next year and be ready to make the jump in roles depending on what is needed.”
