11 Three-Pointers Push Crane To Tournament Title

BAKER – The Country Christian Cougars girls’ basketball team discovered a fact teams for the past two years have suffered-when the Crane girls get hot from the outside, there is no stopping the Mustangs.

In the 1A championship tournament game on Thursday, June 24 in Baker, Crane drained 11 three-pointers on their way to a 75-54 victory. The Cougars never led in the game while the Mustangs exploded in the third quarter for 23 points to put the game out of reach.

Kelsie Sieger started the scoring for Crane, dropping the first bucket of the game at the 7 minute, 49 second mark. A second basket by Kortney Dorman placed Crane up 4-0.

Country Christian waited until the 5:30 mark before putting points on the board off a basket by Annie Bafford. Bafford’s next basket brought the Cougars to within two points early in the game at 6-4 and at 3:18, the two teams stood tied at 8 points, the closest Country Christian would get to leading.

Led by Siegner’s eight points in the initial 8 minutes, Crane led 20-8 after one quarter played.

The second quarter saw the teams trading baskets throughout and as the half ended, Crane led 36-23.

The Mustangs exploded in the third quarter, outscoring Country Christian 23 to 16 and led comfortably, 59-39 going into the final quarter of play.

A scary moment marred the Crane run as Siegner went down hard with 6:36 left in the game. Needing assistance to return to the bench, Siegner failed to return to the game and was unable to stand to receive accolades following the game. Without Siegner on the floor, the Mustangs were still able to cruise to the 75-54 title win.

https://gallery.easternoregonsports.photos/cranevcountrychristian-girlsbasketball-johnbraese/

Siegner and Skye Miller each finished the game with 16 points to lead Crane. Kortney Doman had 13 points and Leslie Doman, shooting all threes, had 12 points.

For Country Christian, Bafford had 23 points and Lizzy Grande ended her night with 14 points.

For their efforts in the tournament, both Siegner and Shelie Doma were named to the all-tournament first team.

Related: Photo Gallery Crane v Country Christian – John Braese

Here is the scary part for the rest of the 1A teams in Oregon.

  • Crane is now 44-0 under Stub Davis since March 1, 2019. The Mustangs last loss was a 44-46 game against Powder Valley back on February 28, 2019.
  • The defending 2020 OSAA 1A state champions cruised this year to the 2021 title, outscoring opponents 787-324.
  • Looking forward to the 2022 season, Crane sees only Doma exit the team due to graduation. The nucleus of the Mustangs return for a possible third undefeated season and a state title run.

OES wishes Kelsie Siegner the best in her recovery.