The 2025-2026 Bunker Eagles are now part of school history. This unique group of young men, led by Hall of Fame coach Rod Gorman, will soon hang a championship banner in the gymnasium. On Saturday afternoon the Eagles defeated a tough and determined Brunswick Wildcat squad 61-54, claiming the school’s first basketball state tittle.
“This is serial, it has not sunk in yet,” Senior Jayton Skaggs said moments after the victory. Skaggs played his usual tough inside game, scoring 8 points and grabbing 7 rebounds.
All-State player Brennen Meloy led the Eagles with 33 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 steals. Meloy scored 66 points in his weekend trip to Columbia. His 33 points in the semi-final against Faith Christian Academy carried the Eagles into Saturday’s championship tilt.
The Eagles stepped up and slowed down the high-flying Wildcats from Chariton County, just northwest of Columbia. Brunswick was led by Drew Jackson, Clay Hayward and Balston Brown who scored 51 of the 54 points for the Wildcats. Brown spent time on the pine getting in early foul trouble. He had three spectacular dunks during the game. The Wildcats will have 4 starters returning. Could the Eagles and Wildcats forge a rivalry, a rematch in 2026-2027? We will see…
The “Good Guys” outscored the Wildcats 36-20 in the paint. Owen Sanders, who scored 12 points and blocked two shots, was a force in the interior trenches along with Skaggs. Brayden Radford, scoring 3 points, played outstandingly, shutting down the defense. The pressure of Bunker became a problem for Brunswick, like “mosquitoes at a picnic”. Radford, Chetan Calzado, who scored 5 points, Jackson Bryant, and Payden Lanham pressed and created the turnovers during strategic periods. Throughout the course of the playoffs, coach Gorman’s timing of the “press squad”, Bryant. Calzado and Lanham were instrumental in creating “more turnovers than Betty Crocker.”
The atmosphere in Mizzou Arena felt and looked like a home crowd for the Eagles. The loyalty was evident, and the spirit was on full exhibit. The celebration after the game was joyous; it will never be forgotten; it is etched and carved in the lore of Missouri stone. The hugs, tears, and laughs were taking place because of this amazing team. The accomplishments will be talked about forever and ever…
Coach Gorman spoke in the press conference after the game, “I am so proud of these wonderful young men. We were ready for this big moment.”
Joining Gorman in the press conference were seniors Brayden Radford, Owen Sanders, Jayton Skaggs, juniors Brennen Meloy, Chetan Calzado, Jackson Bryant, and sophomore Payden Lanham.
Coach Joe Gorman, who won a district championship during the 1983-1984 season, said all year as he attended most of his younger brother’s games, “When you score more points than the other team, you are going to win!” Coach Joe made the right moves 42 years ago, and he was right on Saturday, no question.
Congrats to the entire coaching staff, along with head man Rod Gorman: Marcus Gorman, Brian Meloy, and former Eagles Blake Mathis and Allen Ritter. Well done, gentlemen!
Thank you’s go to superintendent, Mrs. Jamie Skaggs, DJ Goodwin, teachers, and the support staff who make sure on a daily basis this is a first class, professional operation! Mike Plank made sure to get the teams there safely on all those road trips.
