Boys basketball notebook: These Fort Worth area teams have potential to make playoff runs
The Texas high school basketball season is ramping up, and plenty of Fort Worth-area teams are preparing for potential playoff runs.
Here are the things to know around the Fort Worth-area.
Class 6A: Mansfield Lake Ridge, North Crowley and more
Mansfield Lake Ridge (26-2, 6-0) is the team to beat in District 3-6A and remains unbeaten in district play. On Jan. 3, the Eagles beat North Crowley 59-52 to seize first place. Lake Ridge is now the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches No. 3 Class 6A team in Texas.
North Crowley is still within striking distance and will have an opportunity to avenge the loss on Jan. 28. The Panthers are ranked No. 10 by the TABC and have been without sophomore star Isaak Hayes, who is out with an injury.
Another competitive District 3-6A squad is Crowley, the TABC’s No. 11 ranked squad. The Crowley Eagles have two district losses, one to Lake Ridge and the other to North Crowley. Despite the losses, Crowley stayed competitive in both games.
The Crowley Eagles will have opportunities to secure revenge vs. both teams. Leading the way is Fort Worth Eastern Hills transfer Kamden McGilveary, a junior guard who holds an offers from TCU, SMU, Cal, LSU, Mississippi State and more.
In District 4-6A, Keller (14-12, 9-1) sits in first place with one district loss. In 2024, the Indians made a deep playoff run to the regional final, where they lost to Plano East, the eventual undefeated state champions.
Keller is currently unranked by the TABC. The Indians’ sole district loss came recently on Jan. 17 to Southlake Carroll, a team they had previously beaten. The Dragons started fast and kept rolling to stun Keller 76-45.
The Indians have six district games remaining to get back on track prior to the playoffs.
In District 8-6A, South Grand Prairie and Grand Prairie are tied for first with 6-1 district records. Arlington Bowie is close behind with two district losses and Arlington Martin currently holds the last playoff spot with three district losses.
Class 5A: District 8-5A powerhouses, more
In Class 5A, Mansfield Summit (19-6, 5-0) is one of the teams to beat.
The Jaguars are undefeated in District 8-5A play and are thriving within one of the most competitive, challenging groups in Texas high school basketball. Summit is the TABC’s No. 3 ranked team by the TABC, which suggests state championship potential.
Two of the teams Summit is competing with are Burleson Centennial (23-5, 6-1) and Mansfield Timberview (21-6, 5-2). The Spartans are the TABC’s No. 13 team while Timberview is at No. 14.
Centennial recently established itself as the district’s No. 2 team with a 42-38 victory over Timberview on Jan. 17. The Wolves also came close to toppling Mansfield Summit, losing 52-48 on Jan. 11. Timberview will have opportunities to avenge both losses as district play continues.
In District 6-5A, Birdville (26-2, 5-1) sits in first place. Birdville is ranked No. 22 in Class 5A by the TABC. Right behind them is Argyle (12-15, 4-2), the TABC’s No. 25 team. The Eagles’ stock has taken a recent dive, but they have time to right the ship with five district games remaining.
District 6-5A is a group where anyone can lose on any night. Richland holds a win over Argyle and Denton Ryan defeated Birdville.
In District 5-5A, Aledo (22-4, 6-0) is the team to beat. The Bearcats are unranked by the TABC but are undefeated in district play. Senior guard Joaquin Pacheco is leading the way, averaging more than 20 points and 10 rebounds.
Now, the Bearcats will face Chisholm Trail (17-7, 5-1), the District 5-5A team in second place. Tipoff is scheduled for Tuesday, Jan 21 at 7:30 p.m. at Chisholm Trail. In the two team’s first matchup, Aledo secured a narrow 54-53 victory.
In District 7-5A, Arlington Heights (16-12, 6-0) is thriving. The Yellow Jackets are undefeated in district play and have beaten every district foe by 19 or more.
Class 4A: Fort Worth Eastern Hills, Kennedale, more
Fort Worth Eastern Hills (14-7, 6-0) is the premier Class 4A team in the Fort Worth area. The Highlanders are undefeated in District 8-4A and are the TABC’s No. 10 ranked 4A squad.
Southwest (19-10, 5-1) is close behind and played competitive basketball vs. the Highlanders in their first matchup.
In District 12-4A, Kennedale (20-7, 6-0) is thriving. The Wildcats are the TABC’s No. 13 Class 4A squad and have been dominant in district play, winning all games by 17 or more.
Decatur (20-7, 4-3) and Brock (19-8, 3-0) are also 4A threats and are the No. 19 and No. 21 TABC teams, respectively.
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