Cranston-Lown, who continues to be one of the leading juniors in Country NSW, added to his growing list of achievements for his city, region and state.

Plenty of support was thrown behind Cranston-Lown in this year’s Sports Awards vote, with 55 per cent of the Junior Sportsperson of the Year tally going to the basketballer.

“It was a big shock. I wasn’t expecting to win this again. It’s a nice surprise,” Cranston-Lown said.

“Firstly I’d like to thank Bathurst Goldminers basketball for getting me to where I am today. I wouldn’t have got anywhere without them.

“I’d like to thank my family for all their help and my teammates for all the support they’ve given me.”

In his transition year to senior basketball the Bathurst talent has continued to make a mark with every team he’s played for.

He led the NSW Country team to an impressive fourth place at the Under 18s National Championships, top scoring for his team in the bronze medal match.

Cranston-Lown and NSW invitational side were champions at the 18 and Under All Schools Championships.

The great results also came at the local level as Cranston-Lown won the Western Junior League with the Bathurst Goldminers and finished runner-up in the Waratah Youth League division two competition.

Cranston-Lown finished the Waratah Youth League division two season scoring at 19.2 points per game and finished with a game high of 32 points against St George.

“Last year playing at the Under 18s nationals was probably the big highlight. NSW Country finished fourth and that was way better than we were expecting to go. I thought I had a good tournament as well,” Cranston-Lown said.

“Winning the School Nationals was also great.

“From junior to senior basketball it’s a completely different game. It’s getting more physical. That’s been the biggest thing to get used to.”

The award for Cranston-Lown comes just days after returning home from the Under 20s National Championships on the Central Coast.

The NSW boys went down by a point in the fifth place playoff but the Bathurst guard made his presence felt with a personal tournament-high tally of 17 points.

Cranston-Lown is hopeful it will be the start of another great year of basketball action.

“We finished in sixth but most of the team are still young so we’ll get the chance to go back there together next year,” he said.

“I’ll be heading over to America in July again for another tour, like last year. That’s the next big thing coming up for me.”

Cranston-Lown has confirmed he’ll be back for another tilt at the Waratah Youth League title with the Goldminers this season.

Results across all categories of this year’s Western Advocate Sports Awards can be found in the details section on page 17.