Tatum basketball state champion team receive hard earned rings

TATUM, TX (KTAL/KMSS) – On Wednesday evening, the 2025 basketball state champion Tatum Eagles received their rings for their accomplishment.

Many members of the Tatum community came out to support the Eagles.

This past championship marked the fifth time that Tatum has been made it to the state championship, but this time they got it done.

A storybook ending for former head coach Brett Carr, whose time at Tatum ends after 23 years.

“The greatest level of achievement when you’re a coach is to be able to win a championship with the program that you work to be a part of and to develop,” Carr said. “And I mean, to go out on top, like, I mean it it’s incredibly special. I really don’t have the words to describe it except for blessing.”

Former assistant coach Jayme Bradley will be stepping up to take over his role.

“We won some, a couple in football, but to win one in basketball, that says a lot about Tatum and to the pride and in our community that all behind us we have a great team and great community support,” Bradley said. “I mean, they are all behind us 100%, man. I just love this town. I’m from here. And it just a good feeling, man. A great day to be an eagle.”

The love was felt from everyone.

“Been here all night, all friends and family and everything. It feels like we brought the whole town together,” Cooper Whiteus said. “And especially the guys are. We’re connected for life now with the accomplishment we just had. So it was great experience. And I’m I remember for the rest of my life.”