The Eufaula Ironheads are headed back to the state tournament after grinding out a hard-fought 48-42 victory over Chandler, securing their place at the OSSAA State Tournament at the Big House in Oklahoma City. With the win, Eufaula improves to 28-4 on the season and will face Roland at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday night in Eufaula’s coach Grant Callison’s first season at Eufaula.

Chandler came out firing early, jumping to a 6-0 lead before the Ironheads could settle in. Led by Jordan Dennison, who finished with 20 points, Chandler controlled much of the first quarter and closed it with a 14-11 advantage.

The second quarter turned into a defensive slugfest as both teams tightened up on the defensive end. Points were hard to come by as the two squads combined for just 11 points in the period. Chandler managed five points, while Eufaula added six points, sending the teams into halftime with the Lions holding a narrow 19-17 lead.

But if the Ironheads have shown anything all season, it’s their ability to respond.

Eufaula came out of the locker room energized in the third quarter. Ty Sparks, who provided relentless energy and strong defense throughout the game, delivered a beautiful pass to Jentry James for a bucket that tied the game 20-20 with 7:07 left in the third.

Moments later, Gabe Callison knocked down a three-pointer to give the Ironheads a 23-22 edge. On the next possession, James came up with a steal and converted the fast-break opportunity to make it 24-23.

Sparks continued to ignite the offense with his hustle and playmaking, finding R’Reon Morrow for another score that pushed Eufaula ahead 25-24.

Chandler began to show signs of fatigue and sloppiness with the ball, and the Ironheads took full advantage. James added another bucket to make it 27-24, while Morrow continued his strong play with another score to push the lead to 29-26.

Callison, who struggled with shot selection in the first half, settled down in the second half and found his rhythm. His big baskets helped him finish with 10 points.

Despite Eufaula’s surge, Chandler managed to hold a 30-29 lead at the end of the third quarter.

The fourth quarter was where the Ironheads truly seized control.

Early in the final frame, Morrow blocked a shot and started a fast break, finding James, who buried a threepointer to tie the game at 32-32 with 6:49 remaining.

Chandler had dominated the rebounding battle most of the night, creating several secondchance opportunities, but Eufaula began winning the battle on the glass late in the game. Keaton Parish provided some key rebounds late in the game.

Morrow scored again to tie things at 34-34, and on the next possession James came up with a steal and converted, giving the Ironheads a 36-34 lead and sending the crowd inside the Muskogee Dome into a frenzy.

Eufaula pushed the lead to 38-35, and after a key rebound by Morrow and a few possessions later, James knocked down another threepointer, forcing a timeout with 2:53 left and the Ironheads leading 41-38.

Defense once again delivered for Eufaula as Keaton Parrish came up with a huge steal, dishing it to Morrow for another crucial basket.

With Chandler trying to stay within striking distance, free throws briefly pulled them within 43-40 with 1:30 remaining.

But the Ironheads refused to let the moment slip away.

James grabbed a critical rebound after a missed layup by Brayden O’Brien, scooped up the loose ball, and scored to extend the lead to 44-40.

Chandler continued to battle behind Dennison’s scoring, but Eufaula calmly closed the game out at the free-throw line, sealing the 48-42 victory and a return trip to the state tournament.

For the Ironheads, the win marks their first trip to the state tournament since 2021 and another chapter in what has been a remarkable 28-4 season.

Now, the Ironheads turn their attention to the next challenge as they prepare to face Roland on Wednesday night at 7:30 p.m. in Oklahoma City, with a trip deeper into the state tournament on the line.

The Big House awaits—and the Ironheads are ready.