By Debbie Raney
Burns Times-Herald

The Crane Mustang varsity girls basketball team met their first two league opponents last weekend, and came away with two decisive victories.

The Mustangs hosted the Spray Eagles on Dec. 11, recording a 61-26 win.

Crane took control of the court from the opening tip-off, as Emilee O’Toole scored off a Brooke Nyman assist. By the end of the first quarter, the score had the Mustangs leading 14-1.

During the second period, Crane’s domination of the boards on both ends gave the Mustangs the advantage. With defensive rebounds by Brenda Otley, Savannah Duff and O’Toole, and offensive rebounds by Natalie Bentz, Hannah Buermann and Nyman, Crane pulled to a 37-12 lead by the half.

Crane stretched their lead to 30 points during the third quarter, with September O’Crowley scoring on steals and put-back shots. Going into the final quarter, the Mustangs were up 50-20, and kept their lead to the win.

The Mustangs had three players hit double-digits — Buermann had 14 points, Bentz scored 13 and O’Toole made 12. Rounding out Crane’s scoring was O’Crowley and Nyman with eight each, Duff with four and Otley made two.

Bentz and Nyman recorded three steals each, with O’Crowley and Buermann getting two apiece and O’Toole one.

In rebounding O’Crowley pulled down seven total — five defensive and two offensive, Bentz had six total, O’Toole grabbed five, Nyman, Duff and Buermann grabbed four each and Otley had two.

1     2     3    4   Final
Cra     14   23   13   11    61
Spr      1    11    8    6      26
•••
On Saturday, Dec. 12, the Mustangs picked up their second win of the weekend, defeating the Mitchell Loggers 71-3.

Crane’s defense over-powered the Loggers, with full-court pressure forcing five steals in the first two minutes. With just under six minutes left in the first quarter, the Mustangs pulled back to half-court, but still went to the second period with a 29-1 lead.

During the remainder of the game Crane’s offense was required to hold back on fast breaks and reverse the offensive plays before taking any shots. At halftime the Mustangs were up 41-1, and at the three-quarter mark Crane led 57-3.

O’Crowley finished the game with a double-double, scoring 20 points and pulling down 17 rebounds. Bentz scored 15 points, O’Toole made 14, Buermann hit for nine, Duff made six, Nyman hit for five and Iris Gunkel scored two.

As a team, the Mustangs recorded 29 steals with Bentz picking off eight, O’Crowley had seven, O’Toole had six, Buermann made four, Otley had two and Nyman and Gunkel got one steal each.

The Mustangs will host their annual Christmas Tournament this weekend. The girls’ first game will be on Friday at about 4:30 p.m. against the Paisley Broncos.

1    2     3    4   Final
Cra     29  12   16   14    71
Mit      1    0     2     0     3