Fort Worth-area high school boys basketball: Things to know as district play continues
The Texas high school basketball season is well underway and so is district play. Which teams have started the season off strong?
Here’s a breakdown of things to know from Fort Worth-area boy’s basketball teams.
Fort Worth Eastern Hills thriving in District 9-4A
The TABC ranks Eastern Hills (17-4, 2-0) first among all Class 4A schools. The Highlanders have won six in a row with the most recent win being a 52-45 victory over Fort Worth Dunbar (6-10, 1-1).
Eastern Hills is continuing to build momentum under head coach Melvin Miller, who was hired in 2021. The team finished the 2022 season with a 5-17 record and missed the playoffs, and they improved rapidly in 2023 with a 26-8 record and a playoff run to the area round.
Will the Highlanders make another leap? The strong start certainly suggests so. Eastern Hills, a Class 4A school, even picked up a 56-53 win over North Crowley, one of the best Class 6A schools in the area.
The Highlanders will take on Western Hills (9-15, 1-2) at the Wilkerson-Greines Athletic Center on Tuesday as district play continues.
North Crowley leads District 3-6A
The North Crowley Panthers and legendary head coach Tommy Brakel have a strong 19-3 record and have won their first three district games. The Texas Association of Basketball Coaches ranks North Crowley No. 3 in Class 6A.
In the 2022 season, North Crowley made a deep playoff run to the Regional Semifinal and was defeated 63-43 by Lake Highlands. Will 2024 be a different story?
The rest of District 4-6A is a tight race at the top. Boswell, Chisholm Trail, Crowley and Weatherford sit behind North Crowley with 2-1 district records.
Keller building momentum in District 4-6A
Keller’s boy’s basketball program had a phenomenal year in 2023, losing only one district game and making it to the Regional Quarterfinal. The Indians lost to North Crowley by two points and were eliminated.
Will they continue the strong play in the current season? It certainly looks as if they will. The TABC ranks Keller (17-5, 3-0 District 4-6A) the No. 22 Class 6A team.
One productive player to watch is junior shooting guard Steven Ramirez, who dropped 29 points in a 67-64 Championship Basketball Tournament win over Rouse. Keller’s next game will be on Jan. 9 against Keller Timber Creek at Timber Creek high school.
Player to watch: Haltom’s Kuol Atak
The Haltom Buffaloes (14-7, 3-0 District 8-6A) have been on a stampede district play, winning their first three games. They took down Arlington Martin 58-54 on Friday, and the Warriors were a team that went all the way to the Regional Quarterfinal in the 2023 season.
Leading the charge for the Buffaloes is senior Kuol Atak, a 6-foot-9, 185 pound power forward committed to Oklahoma. The elite Fort Worth-area prospect scored 28 points in the hardfought win over Martin.
Atak has the ability to stretch the floor with great shooting abilities from all around the perimeter. His height along with his skill makes him one of the best players in the area.
Other teams to watch
Arlington Heights (11-11, 3-0) is at the top of District 6-5A with an undefeated district play record and a shaky non-district play record. Mansfield Summit (12-8, 5-0) leads District 8-5A, but Mansfield Timberview (18-6, 5-1) is within striking distance of first place.
Saginaw (19-5, 3-0) has had a solid start in District 5-5A, and is in possession of first place. In District 11-6A, Mansfield Lake Ridge (19-3, 3-0) has separated from the pack and has an impressive 72-60 victory over Duncanville.
Another team to watch is Kennedale (19-3, 2-0), a powerhouse in District 10-4A.
This story was originally published January 8, 2024 at 9:21 AM.
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