No. 3 Lake Ridge takes down No. 7 North Crowley in clash of Texas basketball powerhouses
District 3-6A is arguably the best in Texas high school boys basketball with three ranked teams by the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches: No. 3 Mansfield Lake Ridge, No. 7 North Crowley and No. 8 Crowley.
“Iron sharpens iron,” Lake Ridge coach Cornelius Mitchell said. “You’re going to be battle-tested. The harder the games, the more prepared you’ll be later in the season for tough games.”
On Tuesday, Jan. 28, Lake Ridge (28-2, 8-0) and North Crowley (24-5, 6-2) clashed in a battle of Class 6A powerhouses at Lake Ridge High School. The Eagles secured an early advantage and built on their lead, securing a 73-66 victory to stay undefeated in district play.
“It was one of those playoff atmospheres,” Mitchell said. “Two teams fighting for a chance to be at the top of their district. No one wants to give in — so, big play after big play on both ends, and we were just fortunate enough that we outlasted them late.”
In the first half, a lid was on the basket for the Panthers. Lake Ridge’s persistent aggressiveness, physical defense, and height were a challenge. Lake Ridge took a 35-21 lead into the half; North Crowley brought more intensity and improved offensive efficiency in the second half, but the deficit was too much to overcome.
“I would’ve liked to see us compete a bit more, but I feel like we took their best shot in the first half,” North Crowley coach Tommy Brakel said. “And then we were able to come out in the second half and make some ground back up.”
North Crowley, a program that has won its district 10 years in a row, no longer controls its destiny for a district title. They also have tough away games vs. Mansfield and Weatherford, as well as a rivalry game vs. Crowley remaining in the regular season.
“We don’t get judged by how we do in district,” Brakel said. “We get judged by how we do in playoffs. ... This team, it still has a ton of room for growth as we’re figuring it out.”
It’s been a hectic season for North Crowley, a team that has had to utilize different playstyles due to injuries.
“It’s been an interesting year,” Brakel said. “It was one of those situations where we weren’t playing for Jan. 28, but we were playing for some time in February because this team is still trying to figure itself out again.”
North Crowley did have one huge positive takeaway: Sophomore guard Isaak Hayes, one of the best underclassmen guards in Dallas-Fort Worth, returned to action for the first time since Dec. 20 and scored 22 points. He showed little signs of rust, displaying elite finishing ability with finesse and a consistent outside shot and free throw.
Hayes improved as the game continued, scoring 17 second-half points.
“He got a few more minutes than I wanted him to,” Brakel said of Hayes. “But we’re all competitive, and he wanted to be out there and in the middle of it. He was doing a good job for us. So, we’re looking at slowly working him back in and having him be a big part of the team.”
Another key player for North Crowley was Abram Hicks, a transfer from Burleson Centennial. His energy was contagious, and he was crucial in getting the Panthers back in the game, scoring seven straight in the third quarter en route to 15 points.
Senior guards Shaqir Pack and sophomore guard Roman Dulin led the way for Lake Ridge with 21 and 18 points, respectively. Pack showcased versatile scoring and athleticism, while Dulin was lights out from beyond the arc, converting contested shots, even while in transition.
Mitchell credited Dulin for his confidence, saying, “No shot is too big.”
“They’re not always great shots, and sometimes it scared me,” Mitchell said. “He is not afraid of the moment. If he has a chance to get it off, he is just going to shoot it. He can miss 10 in a row, and he’ll shoot the 11th.”
Lake Ridge had a phenomenal season in 2024, making it all the way to the state tournament, where it lost to eventual undefeated state champion Plano East. As the favorites to win the 3-6A title and having just two losses, another deep playoff run could be in store.
“I don’t know if we can put a ceiling on this team just because we have so many young players in key roles,” Mitchell said. “But if they play together and they play hard, we can play with anyone in the state.”
In 2025, the path to a state title will look different. With the UIL adding split division playoffs, there will be twice as many state championships up for grabs.
Out of the current top four 3-6A teams, Lake Ridge and North Crowley have the highest enrollment numbers and would be placed in the Class 6A Division I bracket, barring any standings changes, and could potentially meet again in the playoffs.
This story was originally published January 28, 2025 at 10:53 PM.
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