North Crowley guard Isaak Hayes (22) attempts a three pointer in the Class 6A Division I state championship against San Antonio Brennan at The Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, March 14, 2026.
Miles Meador
Special to the Star-Telegram
The Texas high school basketball season is almost here.
Sixteen Fort Worth-area teams will start the season with a ranking by the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches (TABC).
Boys basketball
North Crowley (No. 6 Class 6A): The Panthers won their first title since 2008 last season and the expectations remain high. Allen, Duncanville, Humble Atascocita, San Antonio Harlan and Katy Seven Lakes are the only teams ranked higher than North Crowley.
Arlington Martin (No. 17 Class 6A): Martin posted a 22-13 overall record last season en route to making an area round playoff appearance. The Warriors will be a district title favorite this season.
Mansfield Lake Ridge (No. 25 Class 6A): It’s a new era for the Eagles, as Steve Middleton is serving as head coach.
Mansfield Summit (No. 2 Class 5A): Mansfield Summit commands respect in Class 5A with repeated championship level success. The Jags will aim for three consecutive titles.
Mansfield Timberview (No. 5 Class 5A): Mansfield Timberview went toe-to-toe with the best in Texas last season, even Mansfield Summit. The Wolves were eliminated by Denton in the area-round. Watch out for them to be Summit’s toughest challenge in district.
Birdville (No. 13 Class 5A): Birdville has seen consistent success in recent years. Expectations remain high, even after standouts Sawyer Dotson and Avery Webb graduated.
Kennedale (No. 13 Class 4A): After a 12-0 run to a district title last year, the same path could be in store for the Wildcats.
Brock (No. 15 Class 4A): Brock had a strong season in 2025-26 with a 28-10 overall record and a trip to the state semifinals.
Girls basketball
Fort Worth Boswell (No. 7 Class 6A): Partially due to injury, the 2025-26 season was a down year for Boswell, a program that has been the area’s best in recent years. The Pioneers won a title in 2025 and have a shot to get back to that level.
North Crowley (No. 10 Class 6A): North Crowley had a handle on the Fort Worth-area girls basketball scene last season. The Panthers were upset by a surging Flower Mound team in the regional finals.
Southlake Carroll (No. 19 Class 6A): The Dragons dominated their district and suffered only one regular season loss to Argyle before falling 55-46 to Wolfforth Frenship in the area round last season.
Cleburne (No. 12 Class 5A): Cleburne will start the season as the Fort Worth-area’s top-ranked Class 5A squad. The Yellowjackets went on a 14-0 run to win a district title last season.
Joshua (No. 13 Class 5A): Joshua has very successful girls athletics programs and the 2026-27 season is expected to be the same.
Mansfield Summit (No. 14 Class 5A): Summit girls basketball, just like the boys’ squad, is commanding preseason respect in Class 5A.
Decatur (No. 2 Class 4A): It’ll be a new era for the Decatur Eagles as Brad Ingram has taken over as head coach. Decatur is a contender to land its third straight UIL championship.
Brock (No. 3 Class 4A): After a 31-6 overall record last season, the Brock Eagles are viewed as one of the top Class 4A girls teams in Texas.
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Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Charles Baggarly is a high school sports editor and reporter for the Fort Worth Star Telegram. He graduated from TCU in 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and served as TCU 360’s sports editor. Connect with Charles on Twitter or via email.