Introducing Mr. Basketball Candidate 12: Charles Crane

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>As part of our preseason preview content, we're counting down the top 15 candidates for this year's Mr. Basketball award, presented annually to the top senior in the state. Our countdown continues with a look at our No. 12 player, Dowling Catholic big man [player_tooltip player_id='2617486' first='Charles' last='Crane'].</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Name: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2617486' first='Charles' last='Crane']<br><strong>Height: </strong>6-10<br><strong>Position: </strong>PF/C<br><strong>School: </strong>Dowling Catholic</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024-25 stats: </strong>263 points (11.4/game), 180 rebounds (7.8), 24 assists (1.0), 77 blocks (3.3), 14 steals (0.6), 111-193 FG (57.5%), 14-41 3P (34.1%), 27-46 FT (58.7%)<br><strong>Career stats: </strong>263 points (11.4/game), 180 rebounds (7.8), 24 assists (1.0), 77 blocks (3.3), 14 steals (0.6), 111-193 FG (57.5%), 14-41 3P (34.1%), 27-46 FT (58.7%)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>About Crane: </strong>Crane is an absolutely dominant interior defender, blocking more than three shots per game last season for the Maroons. A bouncy 6-10 big man who runs the floor, can switch defensively, and blessed with great length and impeccable timing as a shot blocker, he's the prototypical modern big man with his ability to stretch the floor, protect the rim defensively, and control the glass. And the scary thing is that he may just be scratching the surface of his long-term potential. He has committed to play his college ball at the Naval Academy, joining the bevy of Division I commits in the 2026 class. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Why he can win Mr. Basketball: </strong>While Crane's career stats pale in comparison to everyone else included in this countdown, he has the potential to have a truly dominant two-way season for a Dowling Catholic team that has as good a chance as any in Class 4A to upset Waukee Northwest. If the Maroons not only reach the state tournament, but make a run to Championship Friday, his two-way talents will be perhaps the biggest reason why, and that could certainly garner him some interest among voters.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->