Head Coach: Craig Campbell
2015-16 Record: 20-8 – Lost to Marionville in the Class 2, District 11 title game
Top Players: Dalton Hayes (G), Devin White (F), Colton Elder (F), Wyatt Vaught (G), Bryston Branstetter (F), Braydon Cook (G)
The Crane boys’ basketball program has enjoyed a tradition of winning in recent years.
The Pirates are now two seasons removed from a third-place finish in Class 2 state tournament in 2014-15. They compile 20-win seasons on a perennial basis (six 20-win seasons in the past seven years) and this year they are expecting to live up to that standard.
“Crane has had a long tradition of good basketball, and this year’s group will strive to carry on that tradition,” said head coach Craig Campbell. “Not just on the basketball court, but in the classroom, community, and everywhere else the program and players go.”
With the departure of graduate Tanner Gold – last year’s leader in several stat categories (19.1 PPG, 4.2 APG, 1.9 SPG) – Crane will look to senior Dalton Hayes to lead the team in the backcourt.
“Dalton has worked hard all summer and has improved on every facet of his game, physically, mentally, and skill wise,” Campbell said. “Dalton is excited to get the season started and hopefully can lead the team toward our team goals.”
Hayes is the team’s top returning player from last season, averaging more than 14 points, two rebounds and two-and-a-half assists per contest.
He’ll team up with fellow senior Deven White who stands 6’4” at the forward position. White averaged just 5.9 points per game, but led the team with 5.1 rebounds per game last season and looks to have a productive senior year.
Look for Colton Elder (5’11” junior), Bryston Branstetter (5’9” sophomore), Eli Stock (5’11” junior) and Hunter Brantley (6’2” senior) to patrol the paint alongside White this season.
Crane should see an uptick in productivity by a trio of junior guards with Wyatt Vaught, Braydon Cook and Brent Williams all vying for time in the backcourt this season.
“Wyatt is making the jump to full time varsity and looks to make an impact right off the bat with his knowledge of the game and shooting prowess,” Campbell said. “Braydon has tremendous upside. If he can reach his potential, he has a chance to be a really good player… Brent is an athletic wing that can guard almost anybody on the floor, and has a knack for scoring the basketball.”
Crane was the top district seed in last year’s tournament, but suffered an upset loss to Marionville in the district championship game. Coach Campbell has made a point to his team to get back to that level and over that hump.
“This team has the goal of winning a district championship,” he said. “Losing last year by four points, in a game we did not play to our potential in, left a bad taste. The goal is to improve every day, trying to play at our best come end of the season. A few other goals are to go after the SWCL league title along with competing every night, no matter what size our competition.”
