By Chris Parker
Sean Crane takes over as head coach of the McDonald County girls’ basketball program this year. He was previously the head coach for the Bronaugh boys and girls for three seasons, and then the head boys coach at Golden City from 2015-2019. Last season he was an assistant on the boys’ staff at McDonald County.
“I really liked working here last year as the boys’ assistant under Coach Joines. I really enjoyed being at McDonald County,” Crane said. “I got to see and watch our girls program at times and really saw the potential that I believe this program can develop to be.
He will be looking to lead the Mustangs to their first winning record since 2015.
“I believe our program needs stability and just develop a work ethic with high expectations expecting to compete for a conference/ district title year end year out. I believe we have a lot of talent under and upperclassmen just have to put everything together,” Crane said.
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This year, McDonald County will lean on four senior leaders in Sydney Killion (guard), Kristen Penn (guard), Caitlin Barton (forward) and Laney Wilson (guard). Penn led that group in scoring (7.8 ppg), rebounding (5.6 rpg) and steals (1.4 spg). She was named second-team all-conference as a junior/
Juniors Adasyn Leach (forward), Abby Wiseman (forward), Kloe Myers (guard), Ebne Munoz (guard) along with sophomore Samara Smith (forward) all return this year. Smith averaged 4.5 points and 3.3 rebounds last year.
Regan Myrick (guard), Kylan Horton (guard) and Megan Elwood (forward) will be some new players to watch on the varsity level.
“I believe our identity is going to be based around a defensive mindset first as we are going to have young and older players. Defense first with a focus on each night outworking our opponent,” Crane said.
McDonald County opens the season on Nov. 24 at Aurora.
“I expect to improve throughout the year with the goal of becoming a consistent contender for conference and district titles,” Crane said.
