Gaining confidence key for Stanton County’s Crane

BY GARY VAN CLEAVE
Special to The Telegram

JOHNSON CITY – It’s a story about one boy who took a teammate under his wings. How the mentor knew his sidekick had the game and talent to excel.

Senior Alvin Solis has mentored sophomore sensation David Crane this year. The tutelage has been priceless for the Stanton County Trojans.

“David is a coach’s dream player,” Solis said. “What I mean by this is he never stops working on his game. Whether it’s in the gym, his mindset, or his knowledge of the game.”

Crane, who scored just 57 points total as a freshman, has avoided any sophomore jinx in 2023-24. He’s averaging 12.8 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2 assists, 2.7 blocks and 2.1 steals per game and leads the team in four categories. The lanky 6-foot-3, 160-pound dunking machine has single-game highs of 19 points and 14 rebounds and has already notched four double-doubles.

“I’m a senior here at Stanton County and I have pushed David to the limit,” Solis said. “He has responded well every single time.”

“It’s meant the world. He’s really helped me to step into the player I am and to become,” Crane said of Solis. “Being the first year of me stepping into a big role for our team, he has helped me every step of the way.”

There’s a decent chance if you hear a basketball dribbling and a net swooshing in the SCHS gym, it’s Crane working on taking his already-high octane game up another level.

“I constantly work hard to improve my game,” Crane said. “I never stop playing. I am on year-around teams and I train with different coaches to help make my game better. I pride myself in being the best teammate I can possibly be. I try to do whatever my team needs to win, whether that is taking a big shot or from sitting on the bench cheering on my teammates.”

“Our team has definitely had its ups and downs this year, but something we can always rely on is David’s positive impact on our games,” junior Luis Rodriguez said. “He works very hard and isn’t afraid to take the tough and crucial shots. He’s a great teammate and when he’s not scoring he’s still making winning plays on both sides of the floor.”

“David is an amazing teammate to play with,” sophomore Arihm Gonzalez said. “He has a lot of love for the game. He is constantly in the gym trying to make our team better and always putting in extra work for our team to help us get to our full potential. Playing with David is a lot of fun. He always expects a lot from us as a team and he is very determined to win.”

Crane envisioned having a breakout campaign.

“I knew that a large graduating class would leave a lot of opportunity open,” he said. “I had confidence that my years of hard work would pay off.”

Crane said confidence has been a huge key for him this season.

“I feel like confidence is the biggest step in becoming a great player,” said Crane, who’s already scored 273 career points. “You need to not only have confidence in yourself, but you need to be a player that your teammates have confidence in.”

During the summer, he worked out each morning with his team and then spent time in the gym alone practicing his ball handling and shooting.

“I also had the opportunity to work with some great coaches and trainers. Coach Jaxson Autry and trainer, Yaniel Vidal, pushed me to become better and helped me to improve my all around game,” Crane said. “I played AAU for Western Kansas Elite (WKE). Under Coach Kenny, Coach Jay and Coach Trey I learned more about myself as a player and about the type of player I wanted to become.”

“David’s ability to move without the ball and willingness to crash rebounds often provides our team with an offensive spark, especially in these tough High Plains League games,” coach Leighton Grover said.

“David is a great playmaker and scorer as well as a confident player,” sophomore Gerardo Robles said. “He’s young but has definitely stepped up for our team this season and shown his skills along with his character and determination that have always shown out throughout the season. There’s a lot more to come to his game as he is just a sophomore.”

“David is always there and ready to go. He learns so quick and implements it to his game just as fast,” junior Kaden Kendrick said. “He’s always there for teammates. Anyone that is down he’s there to pick them right back up. David filled the shoes of his older brother Kyler real quick and has done a great job in anything he does. Looking forward to the future with him.”

“The success I have had as a sophomore wouldn’t have happened without my coaches and teammates,” Crane said. “Coach Leighton Grover has been great at guiding us and putting us in situations for success. The teammates with me on the floor are instrumental.

“The success I have had throughout my life from rec ball to high school would not have been possible without the coaches that have believed in me. I have been blessed to have had these men push me to better myself every step of the way.”

Crane has high praise for his Trojan teammates.

“Alvin Solis has been a great senior mentor,” Crane said. “He is a great facilitator and can always make the hard pass. Senior Juan Aleman is our bulldog. He is the one that does our dirty work in the paint. Senior Bryan Callejas is the team glue and comedian. He keeps the team laughing.

“Gerardo Robles is another up-and-coming sophomore. He will be instrumental in the next two years. Luis Rodriguez is a top tier defender. We will be lucky to have him back next year as a senior. Arihm Gonzalez will put his body on the line to do whatever the team needs. He is one we can always count on.”

Greatness seems to follow Crane and his every move.

“I am a great swimmer. Before moving to Kansas, I competed in competitive swimming and qualified for the state meet multiple times in Colorado and South Carolina,” said Crane, who competed in the 100 backstroke, 200 freestyle and 800 freestyle.

He’s also a two-year state cross country qualifier. Crane has also been a two-year all-league and all-region harrier. In track as a freshman, he qualified for state in the high jump, 4×400, and 4×800.

“I believe we have the talent and if things go our way, we could make a run in the postseason,” said Crane, who hopes to someday play college basketball.

“That has been my goal since day one,” Crane said.

“He has a passion for the game and is a real student of the game,” Solis said. “I love teaching him new things because he always applies it to the approach of the game.”