By Jordan Burton (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Not many coaches in the area can boast the overall body of work that Denny Hunt can.
With 48 years of coaching experience – 27 of which have come as a head coach – and 400 wins to his credit, Hunt is one of the most accomplished coaches in the Ozarks.
And now he enters his second year at one of the most accomplished small school programs in the area recently. The Pirates have won six district championships since 2011 and been to three Final Fours in that time, including a state championship in 2011.
Crane went just 13-15 a year ago, but eight of those losses came by single digits, including a 61-57 loss to Blue Eye in the Class 2 – District 11 championship.
The Pirates return two starters and several rotational pieces from the lineup.
“We had a good summer of work where our young guys integrated into our system and they were able to mesh with our older guys,” said Hunt. “We are extremely excited about getting our year started, in order to see where the hard work and dedication of our team will take us.”
Seniors Aidan Vaught and Nolan Brawley are the returning starters and will set the tone this winter.
Vaught is a 6-foot-2 guard that averaged 16 points, six rebounds and 3.4 assists. His name is synonymous with basketball success at Crane. Brawley is a 5-foot-9 guard that averaged seven points and three assists as a junior.
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Both should see an increase in those numbers this year.
“Aidan had a good year last, with all the work he has put forth so far this year, we know his senior year will be even better,” said Hunt. “Nolan is our point guard, and he has the ability to score. He also had a good year last year and has had a great summer of work that’s going to help our team be much better at that position.”
Classmates Christian Church is a 5-foot-5 guard that was a reserve guard last season and Ty Lower saw action in 11 games as a 6-foot forward.
Juniors Carter Hayes and Calen Faucett will also see significantly more action than they did a year ago.
“Christian was a part time starter and sixth man last season,” said Hunt. “We are counting on him to be a full-time starter and to be one of our best defenders. Ty is an athletic player that we think will make a solid contribution to our team as the year progresses.
“Carter improved as the year went on last season and has been putting in the work since the end of last year; we are counting on him to be a huge contributor to our program. We look for Calen to step in and give us some solid minutes this season.”
Hunt is also excited about several newcomers to the roster this year.
Senior Cody Faucett, junior Caleb Vaught, as well as freshmen Owen Vaught, Braylon Merritt and Kolton Hoffman will also compete for varsity minutes.
On paper it’s a rebuild, but in actuality it’s a reload for Crane.
“We are optimistic about the outlook of this year’s team due the great leadership provided by our returning guys along with our younger guys making solid progress toward making a positive contribution to this year’s group,” said Hunt.
Crane will jamboree at Aurora with Spokane and Pierce City before opening the 2022-23 season on Nov. 22 at home against Ash Grove.
