By Ken Hansard
Lane Crenner, senior point guard for the Medicine Lodge Indians, has watched his team jump out to a fast start at 5-2. As a fourth-year varsity player, Crenner has learned the importance of culture, and his greatest wish is simply to enjoy his final season and leave the program in a better place. “I’m looking forward to getting to play one last season with my boys. I’ve played with these guys since first grade, and that experience has been the biggest blessing.”
After dropping several games last season in the fourth quarter, the Indians finished off a strong campaign with a first-round loss at the state tournament to eventual champion Sterling. With a host of seniors returning this year, the Indians appear poised to possibly make another deep postseason run. “We have a lot of seniors, so I’m looking forward to the leadership that we have to offer. One of my goals is always to make state. The state tournament is just amazing because you get to spend so much time with all your teammates and make amazing memories. Mostly, I’m just really focused on being a better leader and getting the younger guys ready.”
Crenner and the Indians are no strangers to the big stage. Along with qualifying in basketball, they are also looking to make an appearance in baseball for the fourth straight year in Lane’s tenure at Medicine Lodge. However, it hasn’t always been easy. Crenner has definitely faced some adversity along the way, “My sophomore year in football season I tore my MCL, and just working to get back into shape and being able to play was a lot of work. I also recently tore one of my ligaments in my leg, so I’ve missed the last couple games, but I’m ready to get back on the court.”
Finally, when asked about personal goals, Crenner says the kinds of things that will make his coaches miss him when he is gone, “I’m not really about individual stats. I think team stats are great, and if we can have everyone scoring, then that is the best stat. In the end, yes, of course this season is important, but making sure that the program is in good hands after we leave is also important, and I think that I and my fellow seniors have done a good job with that.” Crenner is active in other areas of the school community. In addition to basketball, he also plays football and baseball for the Indians. He is an All-League, All-State performer in baseball. He is a member of the club Teens for Christ and AFS and is also a member of the prestigious National Honors Society. He carries a 4.0 GPA and scored an impressive 29 on his ACT. After high school, he plans to attend Fort Hays to major in Kinesiology.
