Boys basketball regional semifinals: Allen takes down North Crowley, more from area
North Crowley boys basketball, ranked No. 9 by the TABC, entered the Class 6A Division I regional semifinals with an opportunity to upset No. 2 Allen.
In a back-and-forth game that saw the two of Texas’ top teams trade haymakers, Allen gained a slight advantage and secured a 65-60 victory on Tuesday, Feb. 25 at Coppell High School. With Mansfield Lake Ridge being removed from the bracket due to the use of an ineligible player, Allen (33-1) will face Flower Mound Marcus in a regional final at a time and location that is to be determined.
Overall, North Crowley (31-6) ran an effective offense and played tight, physical defense, but inconsistency and Allen’s tough shot-making abilities contributed to the loss. The Panthers continuously cut Allen’s leads but couldn’t break away.
In particular, poor free-throw shooting was a factor. After a series of missed free throws, North Crowley head coach Tommy Brakel pulled aside senior Chris Shelby for a chat. Instead of giving some basketball-related advice, Brakel simply told Shelby that he loved him.
“I would go to war with these guys,” Brakel said. “All day long and turn around and do it again tomorrow, if they’d let us. I was proud of them. I thought they played extremely hard. They left it all out there on the floor. I would’ve liked to see a little bit more consistency, but all in all, I’m proud of them.”
North Crowley had a strong first quarter and captured a 12-11 lead powered by Shelby, who had the Panther’s first three field goals. In the second quarter, a barrage of three-pointers led Allen to capture the momentum and a 33-27 lead.
The Eagles continued their three-point efficiency in the third quarter, showing an elite ability to convert through a tight North Crowley perimeter defense. Allen took a 48-43 lead into the fourth quarter, and although North Crowley fought to chip the lead until the end, an emphatic dunk from Allen’s Deandre Thomas and a three-pointer several feet beyond the arc from Nehemiah Lawrence helped the Eagles hold onto their lead.
Brakel said Allen is “one of the most aggressive defensive teams in the state” and is 33-1 for a reason.
“(Allen) is a really, really good basketball team,” Brakel said. “And we played with them, and they knew we were here the whole night.”
Since North Crowley’s state championship win in 2008, the Panthers have made the regional semifinals nine times. They’ve been a staple of success of boys basketball in the Fort Worth area, but the regional finals have evaded the Panthers.
In the 2025-26 season, North Crowley can return star sophomore Isaak Hayes and junior forward Trey Hall, who finished with 18 and nine points, respectively.
Colleyville Heritage takes down Amarillo Palo Duro
In a Class 5A Division II regional semifinal at Wichita Falls Memorial High School, Colleyville Heritage defeated Amarillo Palo Duro 45-38 to advance to the regional finals. Colleyville Heritage will face Mansfield Summit in the regional finals at a time and a place that is to be determined.
Colleyville Heritage and Palo Duro were in a back-and-forth game until the third quarter when the Panthers outscored the Dons by 10 points. Colleyville Heritage held on to its lead with the help of senior guard Cash Gardner, who led all scorers with 12 points.
Junior guard Bodey Weavey, also Colleyville Heritage’s starting quarterback, was also a key contributor with 11 points.
More Scores
No. 15 Flower Mound Marcus 2, No. 3 Mansfield Lake Ridge 0 (Forfeit - Ineligible player)
Denton Guyer 74, Crowley 54
No. 6 Duncanville 84, No. 23 Spring Grand Oaks 68
No. 5 El Paso Chapin 53, Denton 40
No. 25 NRH Birdville 73, Wichita Falls Legacy 46
No. 6 Mansfield Summit 73, Canutillo 55
No. 18 Decatur 69, No. 22 Amarillo West Plains 62
No. 15 Krum 56, Pampa 48
No. 2 Amarillo Randall 70, No. 20 Brock 66 (2OT)
No. 12 Kennedale 82, Paris North Lamar 52
No. 25 Presidio 50, No. 22 Peaster 48
No. 2 Tatum 73, Ponder 53
No. 13 Paradise 47, Hooks 38
Keene 40, Nacogdoches Central Heights 38
No. 2 Lipan 58, Honey Grove 37
Lindsay 74, No. 8 Graford 59
This story was originally published February 25, 2025 at 9:17 PM.
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