It was a banner season for the Dixon boys’ basketball squad in the Frisco League last season.
And the Bulldogs have a lot of weapons returning for another run.
Dixon was perfect in the conference during 2024-25, winning the Frisco League Tournament title and then going undefeated in the league race at 7-0. Overall the Bulldogs reeled off a 22-4 record before losing to Steelville in the Class 3 District 8 Tournament.
And head coach Logan Ray, a former all-state player for the Bulldogs, has some returning talent to work with in an attempt to repeat.
“I think we’ve got a lot of experience back mixed with youth,” Ray said. “We’ve shown the ability to shoot the ball and should be able to play at a quick pace. We have some size at guard to help offset losses in the post and should be able to put pressure on teams this year.”
Three starters return for Dixon in 6-1 senior Drew Young, 6-1 senior John Creamer and 6-0 junior point guard MJ Ford. Rounding out the starting lineup could be sophomore twins - 5-9 Tripp Holzer and 6-4 Taylon Holzer.
Others looking to be forces in the varsity rotation are 5-11 senior Taylar Dodson, 6-5 junior Perry Jacobs, 6-0 sophomore Traemond Washer, 6-1 senior Rafen Baker, 5-10 sophomore Jake Johnson, 5-10 sophomore Karson Elliott and 6-1 senior Parker Doyle.
Young won all-conference and all-district honors after averaging 15 points, five rebounds, 2.8 assists and three steals last season while Creamer averaged 13 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.8 assists and three steals; Ford 9.5 points, 2.8 assists and led the team in three-pointers made at 34%.
Lost to graduation was the Bulldog inside presence of 6-5 all-conference/all-district forward Thomas McBride and 6-2 forward Maverick Yoakum.
“Drew is a very competitive kid,” Ray said. “He’s been a starter his whole career and surpassed the 1,000-point mark last year. He’s a good athlete who is improving on the defensive end and has a good basketball IQ. John is a strong guard and our best all-around defender. He’s a really improved offensive player and really spaces the floor with his shooting. MJ will run the point. His confident level is high and is one of our best outside shooters. He worked in the offseason attacking the rim. Taylon came quickly off the bench and was one of our most consistent outside shooters. He’s worked on putting on quickness and brings length on both ends. Tripp led our JV in scoring. He’s just a natural scorer and can score at all three levels. He brings perimeter quickness.
“Dodson is a great energy guy and one of our best long-ball defenders. He’s an improved finisher at the rim. Parker is one of the better athletes on the team. He has good length on defense and rebounding and has a good touch inside scoring the ball. Perry gives us inside presence on defense and keeps improving every time he plays. We expect big things of him. Traemond is a nice basketball player and a gamer. He’s tough as nails and gets his hands on the ball and can push the pace. Baker is a post kid who is physical and can pop out and stretch the floor with his outside shooting. He has a high basketball IQ. Johnson was one of our JV’s leading scorers and is a skilled offensive player. He’s crafty and creative and can create for others. He will be asked to improve his defense. Karson is an athletic, quick guard who is strong. He has a big motor and is one of our better perimeter defenders. He understands his role well.”
A key will be replacing the production lost in the paint.
“We’re missing two post kids who were factors on both ends,” Ray said. “It will be a different looking team, with flexibility on both ends. I think we’ve got some good pieces, with a pretty talented sophomore group. For us to be successful the guys have got to understand their roles. If we buy into those roles we’ll be fine.”
