EUFAULA IRONHEADS
BOYS
Coach: Rob McKinzie
23-24 Record: 11-14
In the second year under coach Rob McKinzie, the Ironheads move up to Class 4A this season which will mean a whole new level of competition. But after being hampered by the injury bug last year, Eufaula returns a talented group to meet the challenge. VYPE Top 100 pick Maddox Bridges (6-2, Sr.) leads the way for the Ironheads after averaging 16 points a game last year after playing at Checotah his freshman and sophomore seasons and being an all-conference pick all three years.
“Maddox carried the scoring load for us most of last season despite being double and even triple teamed in most games,” said McKinzie. “He’s lethal in transition and puts tremendous pressure on the defense because he can consistently get in the paint. He uses his athleticism to disrupt offenses and create turnovers. He should break the 1000-point career mark early in the upcoming season.”
The other sparkplug for this exciting Eufaula team is Jentry James (5-11, Jr.) who averaged 8 points a game despite missing most of the second semester with a broken arm.
“Jentry makes us go in transition as he pushes the tempo and passes ahead to the scorers and shooters,” said McKinzie. “He’s deadly from beyond the arc where he was shooting 45 percent before his injury last year and shot over 50 percent during our summer league. He’s gotten stronger and we expect him to average double figures in scoring this season.”
Eufaula will also be bolstered by the play of Keaton Parish (6-3, Jr.) who averaged 10 points a game his sophomore season and was named to the all-conference team.
“While he showed he can score, I think Keaton is best known for his all-out effort and attitude,” said McKinzie. “He’s always got a smile on his face-even when he’s killing himself in a training rep.”
Eufaula will have additional help and leadership from seniors Dacen Hunter who missed some time due to injury last year, Dusty Eby, Jace Davis and Dresden Chiles. Juniors Ty Sparks and Levi Chapman will add depth and sophomores Logan Plant, AJ Taylor and freshman R’reon Morrow will also be in the mix.
