By Chris Parker
Crane girls basketball won the program’s first district title since 2017 last season posting a 20-9 record overall.
“The team bought into the philosophies we were teaching that we were on a mission to improve throughout the season,” Crane head coach Jeremy Mullins said. “Their buy in and willingness to come together and play hard every contest was pivotal in winning districts last season.”
This season, Crane returns an experienced core, but will have a new look schedule with the move from the SWCL to the newly formed Greater Ozarks Conference this season.
“The opportunity to play new teams and be a part of the formation of a new conference is exciting for our team,” Mullins said. “While we play some of the teams in the conference others will be new opponents. An opportunity to win the conference is a goal we will set.”
First-team all-conference selection Lily Woodward returns for her senior season.
“Woody is athletic and a multi-faceted athlete,” Mullins said. “We look for her to continue to be a leader for us on both ends of the floor. We will look for her to be more consistent with her scoring.”
Fellow senior Sayd Vaught returns after being named SWCL Defensive Player of the Year last season.
“Sayd had a great junior campaign, being named the SWCL Defensive Player of the Year, and doing a great job being our floor leader,” Mullins said. “This year we expect much of the same. We need her to continue to play exceptional defense as well as step up on the offensive end of the floor.”
Seniors Hunter Cleveland and Allie Frieze along with juniors Averie Amos, Bella Galloway and Tailor Cleveland and sophomore Reese Custer also return.
Mullins on Hunter Cleveland: “We expect Hunter to step into a much bigger role this year. She will need to give us consistent games every night and continue to work hard in all aspects of the game.”
Mullins on Frieze: “Allie is a tough player that doesn’t mind doing the dirty work. We will need her to crash the boards and bang in the post.”
Mullins on Amos: “Averie will be asked to fill a bigger role this season. We will be looking for her to play inside and out and become a threat from anywhere on the floor.”
Mullins on Galloway: “Bella continues to grow her game. She gives us a spark off the bench with her tough defense and great speed.”
Mullins on Custer: “Reese put in a lot of work in the gym this past offseason. Reese will add much needed dept to the Lady Pirates roster.”
Mullins on Tailor Cleveland: “Tailor was unable to finish the season last year due to an injury. However, she has worked hard on her recovery during the off season. We expect her to shoulder some of the leadership duties on the offensive side of the floor and play hard nose defense on the other end.”
Freshmen Abbie Wells, Lylah Wilson, Lilly Mullins, Peyton Cutbirth and Destiny Kerr will look to make immediate varsity impacts.
“We are excited to add these five young ladies to the Lady Pirates high school roster,” Mullins said. “They have a lot to learn but their toughness and willingness to learn will help us be competitive.”
Crane will host Pierce City, East Newton and Forsyth for a jamboree on Nov. 19. The Lady Pirates open the regular season on Nov. 25 at home against Ash Grove.
“We hope our experience will get us off to a faster start this season. We will spend a lot of time working on our defensive schemes and shooting with hopes of improving in those areas,” Mullins said. “We will consider it a successful season if our team competes with maximum energy in each contest we play.”
