Photo by Dally Zander

The Crane Mustang basketball team won the Crusader Classic, finishing the three-day tournament 3-0. Held at Salem Academy High School on Thursday-Saturday, Dec. 28-30, the Mustangs took down Trinity Lutheran, Amity, and Dayton to end the year 10-1, and start the 2024 year with the No. 1 ranking in 1A.

On the first day of the tournament, Crane defeated Trinity Lutheran 63-53. Josh Zander led the way for the Mustangs, finishing with 19 points (including 9-10 from the free throw line), six rebounds, four blocks, and three steals. Cody Siegner added with 17 points and eight rebounds. Carter Nichols finished with 12 points, eight rebounds, and five assists, while Casse Roozeboom had 10 points and three assists.

On the second day, the Mustangs held off Amity 55-50. Nichols and Siegner led the way with 17 points each. Nichols finished with seven rebounds and six assists, while Siegner grabbed eight rebounds. Zander added with nine rebounds.

On the last and final day of the Crusader Classic, the Mustangs fended off Dayton for the victory, 59-56. Siegner shot 10 of 13 from the field for 25 points, and added with two rebounds. Nichols had 12 points, four rebounds, seven assists, and two steals. The Mustangs shot 51 percent from the field while holding Dayton to just 39 percent.

Head coach Eric Nichols said after the tournament, “It was a great weekend as we prepare for league play. We had several end-of-game, clutch situations to practice in preparation for the stretch run.”

The boys will kick-off the 2024 year starting their High Desert League play by hosting Dayville/Monument (1-10) on Friday, Jan. 5, and then non-league action against Trinity Lutheran (6-3) at home on Saturday, Jan. 6.