Stanton County USD452

By Gary Van Cleave

Special to Johnson Pioneer 

The Dynamic Duo is putting up lofty numbers for the Stanton County Trojans.

Avery Scott and David Crane, both Trojan juniors, are averaging double-doubles for points and rebounds. Recently, both were named to the all-tournament teams in the Trojans’ tournament.

Scott is well on her way of finishing her prep career with a potential 1,000 career points and 750 career rebounds.

Crane is also eyeing 1,000 career points before his high school career ends a year from now.

“It’s a goal I’ve had since I’ve started basketball and it would mean a lot to achieve it,” said Scott, who currently has 685 career points and 593 career rebounds. “But I can’t do it without my teammates, coaches and God.”

“I think that 1,000 is for sure the end goal,” said Crane, who’s garnered 406 career points. “I haven’t really thought about what 500 really means. I’ve really just had my eyes set on the 1,000 since I was a freshman.”

Scott is currently averaging 17.5 points and 14 rebounds per game. If she continues with those numbers, she can join the 1K/750 Club by March.

Crane’s path to 1K is more challenging but certainly attainable averaging 20 points and 12 rebounds a game. He can reach the 1K Summit his senior season.

Awesome Avery

Despite losing two seniors last year, the Trojan star has taken her game to higher highs as she leads the state averaging 4.5 blocks per game.

“We lost two seniors last year, and gained a new coach,” Scott said. “So this year we are trying to fill spots. Trying to find a spot that works best for everyone. For me I’m going out of the post spot a little more and building my outside game. For example, driving, outside shot, and handling the ball more. I feel like we have a talented group of girls on this team and I’m excited to keep working.”

She’s netting 17.5 points and 14 rebounds a game, including a Herculean effort against Stratton (Co) in which she flirted with a triple-double of 22 points, 21 rebounds and eight blocks.

“Avery Scott is a generational player,” Trojan girls coach Gary Page said. “She has great gifts and works to improve them each day in practice. Equally as important, Avery is a tremendous teammate. She does everything that is asked of her and pushes her teammates to raise their level of play and also gives the right amount of encouragement to each player on the team.”

If she continues to elevate her presence on the perimeter, her greatness will continue to shine brighter and brighter.

“Instead of relying on posting up and making moves from the post position, I am getting more comfortable shooting outside and handling the ball and driving into the lane to create shot opportunities,” she said. “Just expanding my game.”

“Avery is a determined, passionate and hardworking basketball player,” senior teammate Kenzington Nairn said. “Her passion and drive for basketball shows on and off the court. What you see of Avery on the court is not only work done in practice but also hours of work done outside of practice and the season.”

Scott has recorded double-doubles in three of her team’s four games.

“She is always a team player. She’s always lifting up her teammates and making sure to give credit to her teammates when given the chance,” Nairn said. “Playing the last three years with Avery has been so fun and it has been a privilege to play with such an amazing basketball player.”

Even the Trojan boys team acknowledges her greatness.

“I think that it just continues to prove that she dominates and the hard work she’s putting in is paying off,” senior Kaden Kendrick said. “As well as a signal to colleges that proves her athleticism.”

Scott defines success by achieving anything you put your mind to. With the help of her God.

“I was raised in a Christian home,” she said. “I believe that He will put me down the right path in life and everything you do in your life should be to glorify Him. He gives me strength to go through hard times and pursue big dreams.”

Chemistry-building year 

The Trojan boys had to replace three starters from last year’s 15-6 squad. That meant Crane had to surface more as a leader.

“I think that this year with a new starting five he’s done a really good job building some chemistry with some of the new guys on the team,” Kendrick said.

“David never avoids a challenge,” coach Leighton Grover said. “He is willing to do whatever is asked of him at any time. That with the addition of an unmatched work ethic has really taken him to a different level.”

A different level that sees him averaging 20 points, 11.8 boards and two blocks per game in the Trojans’ 3-1 start.

“Work’s finally paying off,” Crane said. “So far this year I can credit the way I’ve been playing to all the work I put in over the summer. All of the countless hours unseen in the gym working trying to better myself. Another key factor from this year to last year is I think I am such a more confident player, knowing what I’ve worked for and what I can do.”

“He’s more consistent with his shots. You can tell he’s really comfortable shooting the ball when he gets it,” senior Juan Toral said.

Junior Gerardo ‘Gerdy’ Robles said the zone Crane has been is only temporary.

“Meaning that he’ll only excel from where he is now,” Robles said. “On the court he’s focused and makes other players play his game, and when opponents think they got a game plan for him he’ll have much more up his sleeve than they’ll know. David is a leader on the court through both sides of the ball and is an exemplary player to all the young guys on our team as well as the kids looking up at us.”

Crane’s game was heightened this summer playing for PGU Empire and HWCC rec.

“I think that summer ball is the most important thing when it comes to improving your game,” Crane said. “I think it helped my game in every aspect, but the main one in my opinion was confidence.”

Crane is now ready to lead the Trojans into the 2025 portion of their schedule.

“I would define success as never ending,” Crane said. “Success comes from hard work, perseverance and doing more than the other person.”

“He was a huge part of our success last year which led to the second best SC record in 20 years,” Grover said. “If his improvement continues, he will be up there with some of the top players in SC history. I couldn’t tell you exactly where he would be, we have a very rich history of some great basketball players, but he will definitely be considered one of them