Eric Nichols Named Crane Women’s Basketball Coach

Crane Union High School has named Eric Nichols its women’s basketball coach, bringing The Mustangs boys coach back to lead a program with returning starters and all-state experience. Nichols guided Crane’s boys to four consecutive state championships.

Nichols’ previous tenure at Crane included a 57-game winning streak, an Oregon state record. Before that, Nichols led Burns basketball to its first district title in 32 years. The new coach’s background also includes coaching at large schools Mountain View and Meridian High in Meridian, Idaho.

Nichols’ staff includes longtime assistant Dave Toney, former staff members John Friedrichsen and Mitch Clark and new assistants Ross Clark, Dannyelle Peters and Bruce Voges. Player development throughout the season has been a focus of Nichols’ coaching, producing substantial team improvement. Mustang basketball has featured an uptempo attack and high-pressure defense, though whether the girls program will adopt that approach remains to be determined.

Nichols will work with a returning group that includes senior Kamryn Dunten, an all-league 1A selection, and Emily Clark. Returning starters Kendal Nichols and Anita Peila also provide experience, while former all-state 1A player Kaitlyn Siegner is back in the fold. Senior Claire Grant returns alongside underclassmen Margie Adamson, Tiersyn Kafka and Esther Doman. Several incoming freshmen could also earn places on the team.

Nichols’ expectations begin with competing every second, with season-long development central to the work ahead. The coach’s focus is on building from the program’s past while developing the current group. The Mustangs will carry the theme EAPICH, pronounced “epic,” into the season.