17-03-2025
Wayne's Juan Cranford Jr. returns to Dayton with St. Francis (PA) for First Four
DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) – A local Dayton-area standout is going dancing in March Madness.
A former Wayne Warrior returns home to the Miami Valley to compete in the NCAA men's basketball First Four at UD Arena.
With St. Francis' 46-43 win over Central Conn. St. in the Northeast Conference (NEC) Championship, the Red Flash punched their ticket to the 'Big Dance' for the first time since 1991.
Cranford Jr. has been one of St. Francis' star players this season, leading the team in scoring with 14 points in the championship game. He added four rebounds and an assist.
A 6-foot-3, 205-pound guard, Cranford was named NEC Rookie of the Year after leading the conference's first-year players in scoring with 9.5 ppg. and 59 assists.
He ranked second in field goal percentage (45.2) and steals (31), third in 3-point percentage (37.4), third in 3-pointers made (1.54) and fourth in minutes played (27.3).
Cranford Jr. and the Red Flash will play at UD Arena for the second time this season after opening the 2024-25 campaign against the Dayton Flyers on Nov. 4.
The Wayne grad posted 9 points in the season opener.
Last season, Cranford was the GWOC Player of the Year and an honorable mention all-state selection when he averaged 16.5 points and 5.8 rebounds per game for the Warriors.
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