Photos by Debbie Raney

The Crane Mustang boys basketball team made history this past weekend as they became the first team in Oregon’s small-school classification to win three consecutive boys basketball state championships. 

Crane came into the 2024 OSAA/OnPoint Community Credit Union 1A Boys Basketball State Tournament as the No. 1 seeded team and faced-off against Union in the quarterfinals held at Baker High School, Wednesday, Feb. 28.

The boys jumped out to a 26-8 first quarter lead and never looked back, winning 61-44. The Mustangs manged to shoot 44 percent from the field and forced 11 Union turnovers. 

Cody Siegner led the team with a double-double, racking up 24 points and 10 rebounds, while shooting 85 percent from the field. Carter Nichols finished with 12 points, six rebounds and four assists, while Josh Zander scored 10 points, grabbing seven rebounds and six assists.

Crane then took on No. 4 Trinity Lutheran in the semifinals on Friday, March 1. 

The Saints managed to take the early lead at the end of the first quarter 12-10. The Mustangs fought back in the second quarter and took the lead, for a 19-14 halftime score. 

Trinity Lutheran was able to get within four points towards the end of the third quarter, before the Mustangs pulled away for a 56-41 victory.

Nichols led the Mustangs on offense, scoring 26 points, grabbing six rebounds, six assists and one steal. Siegner finished with another double-double, scoring 19 points to go along with 11 rebounds, while Casse Roozeboom finished with six points, and one rebound and one steal.

Crane then took on the No. 2 seed Nixyaawii Golden Eagles, in the title game on Saturday, March 2. Both teams met each other during the regular season, with the Mustangs winning both times, and Saturday’s game would be no different, as Crane Mustangs never trailed and handed the Golden Eagles another loss, 65-51.

Zander lead the way on offense for the Mustangs, scoring 25 points to go along with nine rebounds. Siegner logged another double-double, scoring 23 points and 11 rebounds, while Nichols scored 15 points, grabbed five rebounds and had five assists.

Head coach Eric Nichols said after the game, “These are a special group of young men. They have been a part of something really special. What a privilege to coach these athletes!” Nichols and the Mustangs finish the season with their third consecutive state championship and a 28-1 record.

Crane’s Cody Siegner (unanimous) and Carter Nichols were named to the First Team All-Tournament Team.