Crane boys are champions once again Crane Basketball Crane Sports Sports March 8, 2023March 8, 20230 Photos by RHETT LANDON The Crane boys basketball team and coaches pose for a photo after winning the 1A Boys Basketball State Championship at Baker High School. Ross Clark hits a three-pointer against North Douglas. With a final score of 58-26, the Crane Mustang boys basketball team took down Crosshill Christian in the 2023 OSAA/OnPoint Community Credit Union 1A Boys Basketball State Championship game. The favored Mustangs won their second consecutive championship, which was held at Baker High School on Saturday, March 4, and finished the season 31-1. In the title game, the Mustangs took a 16-8 lead after the first period, behind Carter Nichols’ 11 points. Midway through the second period, Crosshill pulled within seven of the defending champions to put the score at 20-13. Both teams traded baskets the rest of the period, with Crane leading 26-16 at the half. After more back and forth, Crosshill pulled within nine (31-22) with 3:43 left in the third period and stayed scoreless for nearly five minutes. The Mustangs used that time to go on a 11-0 run to end the third period, 42-22. Down 20 to start the fourth period, Crosshill was only able to score four more points, while the Mustangs added another 16 points to seal the victory, 58-26. Josh Zander was named Player of the Game for Crane. Zander finished with 20 points on seven for eight shooting, going five of six from three-point range. He also grabbed six rebounds and had four steals. Cody Siegner finished seven of nine shooting for 18 points. He also grabbed six rebounds, along with three blocks and three steals. Cody Siegner scores two of his 23 points in the semifinals against North Douglas. Carter Nichols went five of 12 shooting for 15 points, including seven assists. Jared Zander finished one of three for three points to go with two steals and assists. Ross Clark finished one of two for two points and two steals. As a team, the Mustangs shot 56 percent from the field, including 50 percent from three-point range. Crane’s defense held Crosshill to 26 percent shooting on the night and forced 18 turnovers. Cody Siegner and Carter Nichols earned First Team All-Tournament Team honors. For the tournament, Siegner averaged 19 points and 7 rebounds a game, and Nichols averaged 17 points and almost four assists a game.