The Eufaula Ironheads boys’ basketball team had an impressive season filled full of highlights and excitement. Eufaula nearly won the Class 4A District Championship falling short to Tecumseh who scored on a last second shot 69-67. In his second year Eufaula head coach Rob McKinzie led the Ironheads to an 18-9 record and a spot in the Area tournament.
Eufaula had its deepest bench in the last couple of years with Ty Sparks, Jace Davis, Logan Plant, Dresdan Chiles, Koltyn Lane and others who contributed to the Ironheads’ success.
Eufaula’s starting line-up of Maddox Bridges, Keaton Parish, Dusty Eby, Dacen Hunter and Jentry James was explosive with each playing a key factor.
It is with great honor to name the following as the Eufaula Indian Journal (EIJ) 2025 Eufaula Players of the Year.
The 2025 EIJ Most Valuable Player of the Year is Keaton Parish.
Parish led the team by example on and off the court. He was instrumental both offensively and defensively. His explosiveness to drive to the basket or pull up and shoot a jump shot was above special. He led the team in rebounds with 149 including 101 defensive rebounds. He finished with 56 assists, 56 steals, six blocked shots, shot 67% from the free throw line, 34% from the three-point arch and 44% from the field.
The 2025 EIJ Defensive Player of the Year is Dacen Hunter. Hunter made his presence felt early in each game with his brute strength and physicality. He made 75 defensive rebounds, 41 offensive rebounds, 25 steals, 25 blocked shots and 31 deflections. Hunter could also score on offense as he had a great three-point shot or muscled his way to the goal. He finished with 68% shooting at the free throw line, 25% from the three-point arch and 44% from the field.
The 2025 EIJ Co-Offensive Player of the Year is Maddox Bridges.
Bridges used his athleticism to score over formidable opponents as he finished shooting 26% from the threepoint arch, 45% from the field and 64% from the free throw line. He made 50 offensive rebounds, 47 defensive rebounds, 44 steals and four blocked shots. He tormented offenses with his speed and quickness and forced numerous turnovers and scored in transition.
The 2025 EIJ Co-Offensive Player of the Year is Dusty Eby. Eby was the silent killer from the outside. His sharpshooting three-point skill was instrumental in the Ironheads’ success. He made 43 threepoint shots, shot 79% from the free throw line and 32% from the field. Eby finished with 15 offensive rebounds, 23 defensive rebounds, 27 steals and four blocked shots with 26 assists.
