By Kai Raymer (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
A bigger goal remains in Crane’s 2025-26 redemption quest, but an outright conference championship is always something to celebrate.
The Pirates finished off a perfect run through the Greater Ozarks Conference with a 72-35 victory over New Covenant Academy in Springfield on Tuesday night.
Sophomore guard Maddox Vaught scored a game-high 19 and senior forward Owen Vaught added 12 points for the Pirates (22-3 overall, 6-0 GOC), who have notched their second straight 20-win season.
“Last year, we took a tough loss to Greenwood,” Owen Vaught said. “This year, we came back and beat them and didn’t lose to anyone else in our conference. I think that’s pretty special.”
Crane has felt extra motivated all season since a sour ending to its 2024-25 campaign.
A late-season blowout loss to Greenwood with the conference title on the line and especially a narrow loss to Blue Eye in the district championship game stuck with the Pirates through the offseason.
“They’re motivated from last year,” said Crane coach Chase Howerton. “They thought they left one on the table in the district championship. That’s what’s motivated them through summer and through workouts.”
This season, the Pirates have quietly amassed 22 wins including victories over four state-ranked teams: Billings, Chadwick, Greenwood and Sparta. Crane’s only losses were against Clever (twice) and Logan-Rogersville, who have a combined record of 43-5.
Still, Crane has yet to crack in the Top 10 in the Class 2 state rankings. The Pirates, who host their district tournament next week, have been stuck in the “receiving votes” category all season.
“It kind of helps us. Most people don’t think very much of us, and I think that helps us fly under the radar a little bit,” Owen Vaught said. “That’s all we need sometimes.”
On Tuesday night, the Pirates had to corral New Covenant Academy’s run-and-gun style. The Warriors raced out to an early first quarter lead and had the game tied 20-all midway through the second quarter.
“They’re hard to guard. They want to play fast,” Howerton said. “We needed to be able to get back in transition. Early on, I felt like we played at their pace and not the pace we wanted to play.”
Crane took over soon thereafter with a 10-0 spurt. The Pirates led by 14 at halftime and doubled-up NCA (48-24) four minutes into the second half.
Crane features four seniors in its starting lineup along with sophomore Maddox Vaught. The Pirates “bought into the weight room” during the offseason, Howerton said, and that investment has paid dividends this season.
“These kids wanted to get stronger,” Howerton said. “They wanted to be able to match physicality. They’ve put in the work.”
Said Owen Vaught: “We’ve matured more, gotten a little bigger, a little stronger, a little faster and it’s helped a lot.”
The Pirates have also made strides in team chemistry and awareness.
“A big one for us would be communication,” said Crane senior Braylon Merritt. “Just making sure we know that we’ve got each other’s backs and trusting each other.”
Isaac Holden and Brixton Watson combined for 17 points to lead NCA. The Warriors (7-18 overall) host Ash Grove on Thursday night for senior night and their regular season finale. NCA will then compete in the Class 3 District 11 Tournament at New Heights Christian Academy in Joplin next week.
Crane will be the host school for the Class 2 District 11 Tournament, which also begins next week. The Pirates conclude the regular season this Friday night at Gloria Deo Academy in Springfield.
Crane 72, New Covenant Academy 35
Crane 16 22 24 10 — 72
New Covenant Academy 15 9 6 5 — 35
Crane (22-3 overall, 6-0 GOC) – Maddox Vaught 19, Owen Vaught 12, Andrew Faucett 11, C.J. Conrad 10, Braylon Merritt 5, Waylon Guess 4, Cooper Brannan 4, Kolton Hoffman 3, Clay Cypret 2, Kaiden Vaught 2
New Covenant Academy (7-18 overall, 0-6 GOC) – Isaac Holden 9, Brixton Watson 8, Eli Poland 6, Hayes McWilliams 3, Mason McCoy 3, Will Trent 2, Ben Meek 2, Tate McWilliams 2
