Friday HS Basketball Fast Break: Byron Nelson girls dim L.D. Bell’s playoff chances, more

Welcome to The Fast Break, a biweekly Star-Telegram series featuring the top Fort Worth-area high school basketball news, performances and results.

GIRLS

Byron Nelson deflates L.D. Bell’s playoff chances

In a game that Hurst L.D. Bell desperately needed to realistically keep its playoff hopes alive in District 4-6A, the Blue Raiders ran into a Trophy Club Byron Nelson team that was trying to clinch a spot itself. The Bobcats played that way too as Byron Nelson jumped on L.D. Bell from the start in a 60-41 win at L.D. Bell High School.

With Keller Timber Creek’s win over Haslet Eaton on Friday, things look bleak for L.D. Bell (24-10 overall, 8-7 district) as the Blue Raiders fell a game behind the Falcons. L.D. Bell finishes with rival Euless Trinity and Timber Creek has Justin Northwest.

Byron Nelson (11-4, 21-10) was led by sophomore Berkley Smith, who had a terrific game all around, with 23 points. Belle Ratliff added 14 points for the Bobcats.

The basket seem to have a lid on it most of the first three quarters for L.D. Bell and a fourth quarter rally was too little too late. Senior Madi Capers led the Blue Raiders with 25 points, most coming in the paint, and Hannah Due finished with 12 points all on three pointers.

No. 6 Southlake Carroll keeps rolling, drubs Keller Central

Southlake Carroll, No. 6 in the state in Class 6A according to the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches, jumped out to a 30-point lead at the half then cruised to a 64-16 win over Keller Central in a District 4-6A game on Tuesday.

Carroll (30-1 overall, 16-0 district), which completed a perfect slate to win the district title, got 23 points from Whitney Jense and 10 points each from Angelina Bouley and Payton Lee. Central (7-24, 0-15) was led by Ava Turner with 10 points.

No. 2 North Crowley rolls past Weatherford

North Crowley, No. 2 in the state in Class 6A according to the TABC, got 19 points from both Jamari Milton and Mecca Crawford as the Eagles stormed past Weatherford 84-29 in a District 3-6A tilt.

North Crowley (26-4 overall, 11-0 district) has sewn up the district title. Weatherford (19-13, 1-10) started the season strong, but struggled in district play.

Brewer edges Azle in OT

Fort Worth Brewer outscored Azle 8-1 in overtime to take a 57-50 win in a District 5-5A game on Friday. Brewer (7-22 overall, 2-10 district) was led by Clara Williams with a game-high 23 points.

Brooklyn Bundy added 11 for the Bears. Keagan Stewart tossed in 14 for Azle (8-23, 1-10) with Caylee Robinson adding 13 for the Hornets.

No. 16 Cleburne stays perfect in 8-5A

Cleburne, No. 16 in the latest TABC Class 5A state poll, remained unbeaten in District 8-5A play and celebrated its district championship with a 64-31 home victory over Mansfield Timberview.

Cleburne (24-8 overall, 13-0 district) was led by Lily Sheppard with 17 points. Alyssa Franklin added 14 points with Lauryn Carrizales and Arajai Burks tossing in 12 points each for the Yellow Jackets.

Timberview dropped to 7-22 overall and 3-10 in district play. The Wolves were led by Shanella Tadja who knocked down 14 points.

Chisholm Trail rally drops Saginaw

Fort Worth Chisholm Trail rallied from a 5-point deficit at the half to overtake Saginaw 47-41 in a District 5-5A game. Both teams are headed for the playoffs, but the win by the Rangers propelled them into sole possession of second place.

Jada Hill scored 8 of her team-high 20 points in the third quarter as Chisholm Trail (20-11 overall, 8-3 district) took the lead for good. Jayci Butler added 7 points for the Rangers.

Saginaw (16-14, 7-4) is in a third-place tie with Granbury (18-15, 7-5). The Rough Riders were led by Laila Freeman who poured in a game-high 23 points (3 threes, 10 of 15 free throws) with Iliza Mazimpaka and Anabelle Aguilera scoring 8 points each including 2 threes each.

Everman subdues Centennial in OT

Everman and Burleson Centennial are on a crash course for a play-in game for the playoffs in District 8-5A as the Bulldogs defeated the Spartans 42-40 in overtime to split the season series between the two schools.

Everman (21-13 overall, 7-6 district) was led by Jahzeriah Esters who dropped in 19 points with Harli Clark adding 15. Centennial (18-15, 7-6) and Everman both have tough closing games on Tuesday as the Spartans have to travel to second-place Joshua while the Bulldogs host district-leading, No. 16 Cleburne.

North Side downs Polytechnic

Fort Worth North Side improved to 9-16 overall and 3-8 in District 7-5A as the Steers downed Fort Worth Polytechnic (6-18 overall, 2-9 district) 28-16.

Senior Briana Rodriguez led the Steers with a 13-point, 12-rebound double-double. Sophomores Natalie Pule and Tosha Kashindi added 6 and 5 points respectively and provided a stifling defensive performance for North Side.

Carter-Riverside ends regular season with win over Benbrook

Fort Worth Carter-Riverside completed its regular season with a 45-38 win over Benbrook in a District 8-4A game.

Carter-Riverside (18-14 overall, 8-4 district) is assured to finish in at least a second-place tie in league play. D’Ani Wilson paced the Eagles with 20 points, including 7 of 10 from the free throw line, and Massiny Sullivan added 14.

Benbrook (11-19, 7-4), which has already clinched a playoff berth, dropped into a third-place tie with Fort Worth Dunbar (15-15, 7-4). The Bobcats were led by Grace Klaerner with 19 points.

No. 1 Decatur continues to roll

Class 4A No. 1 Decatur got 15 points from Sayler Peck to lead the Eagles to a 61-18 win over Springtown in District 7-4A play. Decatur improves to 30-4 overall and 13-0 in district play. Springtown falls to 14-16 and 5-8.

Country Day edges Trinity Valley in SPC

Fort Worth Country Day took a 5-point lead into the fourth quarter, but was able to hold off Fort Worth Trinity Valley 30-28 in a SPC North game on Friday.

Ryleigh Hall had a game-high 25 points for Country Day (12-8 overall, 4-3 conference). Trinity Valley falls to 2-8 overall and 1-6 in conference play.

BOYS

Byron Nelson slips past L.D. Bell, improves playoff chances

Jacob Grube made a free throw with 2-tenths of a second left in the game to life Trophy Club Byron Nelson to a 35-34 win over Hurst L.D. Bell in a District 4-6A slug fest on Friday at L.D. Bell High School.

Roman Washington, who led the Blue Raiders with 15 points, had tied the game with 9 seconds remaining making one of two free throws. Even with the loss L.D. Bell (20-7 overall, 10-3 district) remains in second place, a half game ahead of Byron Nelson (18-13, 10-4).

The Bobcats move to a game and a half ahead of idle Keller and remain in a third-place tie with Southlake Carroll (15-12, 10-4).

The baskets on both ends of the court seemed to have lids on them as it was tough sledding in the shot department for both clubs. Defensive pressure by both schools had a lot to do with that as well with neither team was able to score in double digits in a quarter until Byron posted 11 in the final frame with the Blue Raiders scoring 10.

Grube finished with just 3 points for Byron Nelson with Alex Jackson (2 threes in the fourth quarter) and Braylon Edwards (3 threes) finishing with 9 points each. Romejo Waits added 8 points for the Bobcats.

Mansfield rallies to down Mansfield Legacy in 3-6A

Mansfield, No. 17 in the state in Class 6A, rallied from 4 points down at the half to tie it at the end of three quarters, then pull away from Mansfield Legacy for a 75-68 win in a District 3-6A game on Friday.

Preston Jackson and Caden Shaver poured in 21 and 20 points respectively for Mansfield (22-7 overall, 7-3 district). Zion Robinson added 16 points for the Tigers, who remained in second place in district.

Legacy (16-16, 3-7) still has a sliver of a chance for a playoff berth sitting 2 games behind fourth-place Crowley (12-15, 5-5) who the Broncos defeated in the first round of district play.

Legacy got 19 points from Elijah Darden, 15 from Landon Todd and 12 from Kenny Gabriel Jr.

Eaton whips Timber Creek, clinches at least share of title

Haslet Eaton clinched at least a share of the District 4-6A Championship with a 67-49 Senior Night win against Keller Timber Creek.

Eaton (25-6 overall, 13-1 district) remains 2 and a half games ahead of Hurst L.D. Bell (20-7, 10-3) with 2 games remaining for the Eagles. Seniors Michael Mwamba, Dre Goodman and Caleb Harris spearheaded a strong second half to help lead the Eagles to victory.

Mwamba was 3 of 6 from three-point range with 6 assists, 4 steals and 4 rebounds. Goodman went 5 of 5 from beyond the arc and Harris had 13 points and 3 assists.

Lake Ridge solidifies playoff position in 3-6A

Class 6A No. 15 Mansfield Lake Ridge took another step toward a playoff berth with a 70-59 win over Crowley in a District 3-6A game on Friday.

Roman Dulin had a game-high 18 points for Lake Ridge (20-8 overall, 6-3 district). Joseph Ballard added 12 points for the Eagles with Deshawn Edwards and Johnathan Rodriguez scoring 10 points each.

Crowley falls to 12-15 overall and 5-5 in district play and will have to face district leader No. 2 North Crowley and Mansfield Legacy to try to hold on to the final playoff berth. Jaelon Germany led the Eagles with 14 points and Emmanuel Scott and Jeremiah Thirdkill contributed 10 points each.

Martin remains in third, downs Haltom

Arlington Martin remained in sole possession of third place in District 8-6A as the Warriors downed Haltom 64-55.

Steve Reynolds III led Martin (18-12 overall, 8-3 district) with 18 Points and sophomore Levi Moore chipped in 17 with 2 threes and 7 of 7 free throws. Titus Prather had a game-high 25 points, including 3 threes, for Haltom (16-11, 4-7).

Richland holds on to fourth in 6-5A

North Richland Hills Richland held on to fourth place in District 6-5A with a 53-44 win over Grapevine on Friday.

Richland (20-9 overall, 4-5 district) held on to fourth place a half game ahead of Colleyville Heritage. The Royals were paced by C.J. Williams with 18 points (4 threes) and Kole Dortch with 17 including 7 of 8 from the free throw line.

Grapevine (14-18, 1-9) was led offensively by Christuan Young with 13 points and JayLeon Howard with 10. The Mustangs will take on their rival Colleyville Heritage on Tuesday at CHHS.

No. 2 Summit remains undefeated in 8-5A, thumps Burleson

Mansfield Summit, No. 2 in the state in Class 5A according to the TABC, kept its district slate spotless as the Jaguars ran past Burleson 55-31 on Friday in a District 8-5A game on Friday.

Summit (24-5 overall, 11-0 district) was led by Jaxon Sneed who scored 8 of his game-high 15 points in the third quarter as Summit pulled away, outscoring the Elks 30-13 in the second half. David Bardere II had 12 points for Summit, 7 in the second quarter, and Javon Ross chipped in 10 points for the Jags.

Burleson (19-14, 3-8) still has a sliver of a chance to make the playoffs, but the Elks will need to win out starting with fourth-place Arlington Seguin (20-8, 6-5) on Tuesday. The Elks were led by Nate Silva with 7 points with Rickerion Henderson and Jacob Emslie (2 threes) contributing 6 points each.

Summit has a showdown with No. 10 Mansfield Timberview (25-4, 10-1) on Tuesday. The Jaguars defeated Timberview 60-49 on Jan. 16 in the first round of district play.

Brewer handles Azle, remains in second in 5-5A

Brewer got 12 points each from Braelon Orr and Cobi Watkins as the Bears eased past Azle 47-43 in a District 5-5A game. Braylen Brown added 10 points for Brewer (22-8, 7-3).

Bryce Robinson led Azle (17-13, 5-4) with 17 points and Cason Cook and Jayden Taylor added 10 points each for the Hornets. Azle remains in the thick of the playoff hunt in third place.

Burleson Centennial holds on to third place

Burleson Centennial, No. 21 in Class 5A, holds on to third place in District 8-5A with a 67-54 win over Everman.

Centennial (20-10 overall, 7-4 district) got 19 points from Levi Robinson with Chazz Brown and Dylan Roberts adding 16 and 15 points, respectively. Everman drops to 14-15 overall and 2-9 in district play.

Seguin on verge of playoff berth

Arlington Seguin had four players in double-digit scoring as the Cougars edged closer to a playoff berth in District 8-5A with a 67-19 drubbing of Joshua.

Seguin (20-8 overall, 6-5 district) can clinch a playoff berth with a win at Burleson on Tuesday. Lentrell Lesure led the Cougars with 15 points with Amarri Knowlton, Kalob Edgerson and Rajon Sanabria chipping in 11 points each.

Joshua fell to 14-16 overall and 3-8 in district.

No. 7 Birdville drops Colleyville Heritage

North Richland Hills Birdville, No. 7 in the state in Class 5A, got 23 points each from Sawyer Dotson and D.J. Driver as the Hawks kept its district title hopes alive with a 73-63 win over Colleyville Heritage in a District 6-5A tilt.

Avery Webb dropped in 14 points for Birdville (25-4 overall, 8-1 district), which remains a game behind Denton (24-3, 9-0). The Hawks still have a game left against the Broncos and a chance at the district title.

Colleyville Heritage (20-10, 4-6) remains in the hunt for a playoff berth, a half game behind fourth-place NRH Richland (20-9, 4-5) who the Panthers face on Tuesday.

Aledo edges Granbury despite 3 spree

Kylan Loving had 5 three pointers for Granbury, but it wasn’t enough as Aledo defeated the Pirates 65-56 in a District 5-5A game.

Aledo (24-6 overall, 10-0 district) has already clinched the district title while Granbury drops to 4-25 overall and 0-9 in district.

No. 10 Kennedale on verge of 12-4A title

No. 10 Kennedale took another step toward an outright District 12-4A title as the Wildcats thumped Alvarado 63-39.

Kennedale (25-5 overall, 10-0 district) was led by Trey Smith who poured in 18 points. Jayden Miller added 10 points for the Wildcats.

Ethan Parker had game-high 20 points for Alvarado (14-14, 5-4) which holds on to third place in district play.

Country Day rolls past Trinity Valley

Jack Wegman scored 15 points and Nate Blan scored 13 more as Fort Worth Country Day dominated Fort Worth Trinity Valley 62-21 in an SPC North contest.

Country Day, No. 9 in the state in the TABC’s TAPPS Class 5A/SPC 3A poll, improves to 21-8 overall and 4-4 in conference play while Trinity Valley falls to 13-10 and 1-6.

Oakridge tops St. Andrew’s in close affair

Trayden Brooks recorded a double-double with 18 points and 18 rebounds for Arlington Oakridge as the Owls squeaked past Austin St. Andrew’s 54-50 in an SPC North game.

Oakridge (21-9 overall, 3-4 conference) got 16 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists from Trey Hall and Nick Harrell contributed 10 points and 9 rebounds for the Owls.

Covenant Classical wins 10th straight, TAPPS 1-3A crown

Fort Worth Covenant Classical won its 10 straight game with a 75-35 drubbing of Fort Worth Christian Life Prep in a TAPPS District 1-3A game.

With the win, Covenant Classical (18-11 overall, 9-0 district) captures the 1-3A title. Jack Liebelt led the Cavaliers with 14 points and Matthew Bates tossed in 13, including 3 threes. Reed Liebelt (3 threes) and Ellis Mitchell contributed 11 points each for Covenant Classical, which made 12 three pointers in the game.

Greg Tarpley led the Knights with 15 points and Trey Roberts had 11 for Christian Life (10-9, 6-3).

GIRLS SCORES

Mansfield Lake Ridge 71, Crowley 42

North Crowley 84, Weatherford 29

Mansfield Legacy 52, Mansfield 37

Trophy Club Byron Nelson 60, Hurst L.D. Bell 41

Southlake Carroll 64, Keller Central 16

Keller Timber Creek 52, Haslet Eaton 48

Euless Trinity 43, Justin Northwest 32

South Grand Prairie 41, Grand Prairie 13

Arlington Martin 47, Haltom 19

Arlington Bowie 57, Arlington 31

Arlington Lamar 56, Arlington Sam Houston 23

FW Chisholm Trail 47, Saginaw 41

Aledo 52, Granbury 31

FW Brewer 57, Azle 50 (OT)

NRH Birdville 38, Colleyville Heritage 28

Grapevine 47, NRH Richland 38

Denton Ryan 56, Argyle 49 (OT)

FW Wyatt 33, FW South Hills 11

FW North Side 28, FW Polytechnic 16

Joshua 41, Arlington Seguin 24

Everman 42, Burleson Centennial 40

Cleburne 64, Mansfield Timberview 31

Mansfield Summit 63, Burleson 23

Brock 36, Glen Rose 27

Stephenville 35, Mineral Wells 20

Brownwood 45, Graham 15

Bridgeport 73, Lake Worth 33

Decatur 61, Springtown 18

FW Eagle Mountain 58, Krum 57

Burkburnett 82, River Oaks Castleberry 14

FW Carter-Riverside 45, Benbrook 38

FW Eastern Hills 57, FW Dunbar 3

FW Western Hills 33, FW Diamond Hill-Jarvis 12

Venus 45, Waxahachie Life 44

Godley 63, Ferris 30

Alvarado 56, Kennedale 42

Tolar 34, Early 24

Comanche 55, Peaster 40

FW YWLA 48, Dallas Inspired Vision 7

Valley View 54, Boyd 41

Paradise 94, Pilot Point 7

Ponder 75, Callisburg 17

Keene 40, Scurry-Rosser 35

Grandview 66, Blooming Grove 28

FW Country Day 30, FW Trinity Valley 28

Westlake Academy 53, Sulphur Springs Christian Home Educators 7

Westlake Academy 39, Waco Texas Wind 36

Argyle Liberty Christian 38, FW Nolan Catholic 28

Midland Christian 35, Arlington Grace Prep 31

FW Southwest Christian 59, Fort Worth Christian 17

Lubbock Trinity Christian 38, Grapevine Faith Christian 33

FW Lake Country Christian 57, Midland Classical 39

Lubbock Christian 62, FW Temple Christian 28

Colleyville Covenant Christian 62, Pantego Christian 37

Wichita Falls Wichita Christian 54, Crowley Nazarene Christian 27

BOYS SCORES

Mansfield 75, Mansfield Legacy 68

Mansfield Lake Ridge 70, Crowley 59

North Crowley 95, Weatherford 43

Trophy Club Byron Nelson 35, Hurst L.D. Bell 34

Euless Trinity 53, Justin Northwest 37

Southlake Carroll 56, Keller Central 45

Haslet Eaton 67, Keller Timber Creek 49

Arlington Bowie 51, Arlington 30

Arlington Lamar 39, Arlington Sam Houston 32

South Grand Prairie 52, Grand Prairie 49

Arlington Martin 64, Haltom 55

FW Brewer 47, Azle 43

Aledo 65, Granbury 56

FW Chisholm Trail 46, Saginaw 41

NRH Richland 53, Grapevine 44

Denton Ryan 54, Argyle 43

NRH Birdville 73, Colleyville Heritage 63

FW Arlington Heights 101, FW Trimble Tech 37

FW Wyatt 67, FW South Hills 36

Mansfield Summit 55, Burleson 31

Arlington Seguin 67, Joshua 19

Mansfield Timberview 76, Cleburne 36

Burleson Centennial 67, Everman 54

Brock 71, Glen Rose 61

Stephenville 73, Mineral Wells 41

Graham 60, Brownwood 53

Springtown 63, Decatur 53

Krum 69, FW Eagle Mountain 54

Burkburnett 115, River Oaks Castleberry 43

Bridgeport 63, Lake Worth 57

Benbrook 70, FW Carter-Riverside 22

FW Western Hills 56, FW Diamond Hill-Jarvis 45

FW Dunbar 70, FW Eastern Hills 61

Kennedale 63, Alvarado 39

Waxahachie Life 70, Venus 40

Godley 61, Ferris 58

Peaster 77, Comanche 20

Tolar 77, Early 43

FW YMLA 72, Dallas Inspired Vision 24

Boyd 55, Valley View 40

Paradise 46, Pilot Point 34

Callisburg 67, Ponder 64

Keene 59, Scurry-Rosser 47

Grandview 72, Blooming Grove 61

FW Country Day 62, FW Trinity Valley 21

Arlington Oakridge 54, Austin St. Andrew’s 50

FW Nolan Catholic 69, Argyle Liberty Christian 47

FW Southwest Christian 65, Fort Worth Christian 50

Lubbock Trinity Christian 68, Grapevine Faith Christian 35

Arlington Grace Prep 61, Midland Christian 43

FW Lake Country Christian 61, Midland Classical 36

Lubbock Christian 92, FW Temple Christian 27

Colleyville Covenant Christian 68, Pantego Christian 42

FW Covenant Classical 75, FW Christian Life 35

Abilene Christian 77, Kennedale Fellowship 41

Crowley Nazarene Christian 91, Wichita Falls Wichita Christian 32

This story was originally published February 6, 2026 at 10:42 PM.