Barron Duda's senior season was recognized today as he was named Central Ozark Conference Player of the Year.

Leading the Cardinals to an 8-1 conference record, Duda averaged a league leading 22.7 points per game in conference play, nearly identical to his season average for all games.

Duda was never held under 10 points in any conference game and had his best scoring output against Joplin where he scored 36, including 8 made baskets from 3 point range.  He opened the conference slate with 31 at Carthage.  After a 19 point night at Branson, he rattled off games of 25 and 27 against Ozark and Willard.  On the night he was held to only 10, he was one of four Cardinals in double figures as they broke an 11 game losing skid at Republic.  Even after he became the focal point of a box and 1 defense, he still put up 16 in the only conference loss to Nixa and bounced back with 19 and 21 point games to close out with Carl Junction and Neosho.

Barron also averaged 4.7 rebounds per conference game, credited with 18 steals and only 10 turnovers.

Duda earned 2nd team honors as a junior.

He is the second Cardinal to earn POY honors, the first was Terrell Kabala in 2020.

Also earning all-conference honors this year were Holton Keith being tabbed for the second team and Eli Pace picking up third team honors.