FORT WORTH
When North Crowley boys basketball head coach Tommy Brakel started his news conference Thursday, he took a moment to introduce his players.
But it wasn’t just the athletes on the podium. He went in numerical order and introduced the entire roster. It was a fitting move for a coach who raves about the importance of putting the team above the individual.
And that selflessness is one of the main reasons North Crowley (34-3) is set to face San Antonio Brennan (33-3) at 5 p.m. Saturday at the Alamodome in the Class 6A Division I state championship.
North Crowley guard Kameron Price (2) almost loses the ball between Duncanville guard Jirehn Mitchell and forward Jairus Ingram (14) during the first half of a UIL Class 6A Division I boys semifinal basketball game at Wilkerson Greines Activity Center in Fort Worth, Texas, on Tuesday, March 10, 2026. Bob Booth Special to the Star-Telegram
“We preach that every year as coaches, that if you’ll [be selfless], then this could be the reward at the end,” Brakel said. “It doesn’t always work out that way, but this year, they have made a lot of individual sacrifices.”
Brakel said a handful of players could have transferred, but they put points per game on the back burner to have a shot at something special: North Crowley’s first state title since its sole championship in 2008.
North Crowley head coach Tommy Brakel cuts down the net after his team defeated Duncanville in a UIL Class 6A Division I boys semifinal basketball game at Wilkerson-Greines Activity Center in Fort Worth, Texas, on Tuesday, March 10, 2026. Bob Booth Special to the Star-Telegram
The Panthers have had plenty of good teams with championship expectations; they have 12 regional semifinal appearances since their last title.
They’ve won 27 or more games in 17 of those seasons, including this year. But in the gauntlet that is DFW basketball in the UIL’s largest class, it was tough to break through.
Plenty of those teams were talented just like the 2025-26 squad, yet this one finally got the Panthers back to state, with a bit of luck and late-game heroics in a state semifinal against Duncanville. In Class 6A basketball, that’s usually what it takes.
“Every team is unique,” Brakel said. “Every team has its own challenges. Every team writes its own story. And this team has definitely written a story.”
North Crowley wing Bennjamin Jones (0) defends against Duncanville guard Jirehn Mitchell (3) during the first half of a UIL Class 6A Division I boys semifinal basketball game at Wilkerson-Greines Activity Center in Fort Worth, Texas, on Tuesday, March 10, 2026. Bob Booth Special to the Star-Telegram
With its novel almost complete, North Crowley is ranked No. 2 in Class 6A by the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches and No. 13 nationwide by MaxPreps.
The story began with a fierce non-district slate that included some of the nation’s top teams, such as No. 8 Wisconsin Lutheran. And next, the Panthers went unscathed through District 3-6A, one of the toughest groups in Texas, which contains No. 16 Mansfield Lake Ridge and two very competitive squads in Crowley and Mansfield.
On Saturday, North Crowley will fight for a storybook ending against what is arguably its toughest challenge yet: No. 4 Brennan. The Bears have several high-level players, including UTEP signees Donovan Criss and 7-footer Delano Tarpley.
Brennan is also extremely well-rounded, with six players averaging more than 9 points per contest. The Bears can beat teams in a variety of ways and have a chip on their shoulder; they’ve never won a title in four state appearances and have made the tournament in three of the past four seasons.
“They’ve played a national schedule, and you’re going down there into their town,” Brakel said. “But, you know, this team has accepted all challenges along the way, and this is another challenge, and it’s a big challenge, but we’ll be up for the task.”
Brennan can take advantage of Tarpley’s size, with Trey Hall being the Panthers’ tallest player at 6-foot-7, but North Crowley’s speed and shooting will be tough on Tarpley, too. Brakel said they’ll aim to stretch the floor and pull Tarpley away from the rim.
North Crowley players to watch
Leading the offense and setting the tone is junior guard Isaak Hayes, a versatile force who commands the opposition’s best defender. He has offers from TCU, Kansas State and more. Even when his shot is off, he can be just as impactful as a facilitator.
He averages a team-high 18.2 points per game and shoots 37.3% from 3-point range with the ability to shoot from well beyond the line. He dishes out 4.65 assists per game, too.
North Crowley guard Isaak Hayes (22) puts one in against Duncanville during the first half of a UIL Class 6A Division I boys semifinal basketball game at Wilkerson Greines Activity Center in Fort Worth, Texas, Tuesday, March 10, 2026. Bob Booth Special to the Star-Telegram
Hayes said there is only one thing on his mind: Winning the last game.
“If we don’t win, none of this will matter,” he said.
Joining him in the backcourt is junior Kameron Price, who exited in the final moments of Tuesday’s game. Price will be ready to go Saturday, which is good news for the Panthers, since he has been the ultimate glue guy.
Price isn’t a big-time scorer, as he averages 6.6 points, but he leads the team with 2.5 steals, 7 charges, and a stellar 4.8 assist-to-turnover ratio. On top of that, he often accepts the toughest defensive assignments.
Another player with a tough job on defense is 6-foot-7 senior forward Trey Hall, who often needs to contain the opponent’s big man. He leads the team with 14.5 points, 1.9 blocks and 8.9 rebounds per game.
North Crowley wing Trey Hall (11) pushes ahead of Allen’s Bennett Mosley (13) during the first half of a UIL Class 6A Division I boys regional final basketball game at Thomas Coliseum in Haltom City, Texas, on Friday, March 6, 2026. Bob Booth Special to the Star-Telegram
Helping him out with physicality and energy is 6-foot-5 senior Alex Barther II, who transferred to North Crowley ahead of his senior year. He has made a huge impact with 12.5 points per game while shooting 39.3% from distance.
Barther, who also grabs 5.7 rebounds per contest and has offers from TCU, Texas A&M and more, said going to state is unbelievable.
“I feel like it’s something that only so many people get to do in a lifetime,” Barther said. “We’re blessed.”
Jonathan Fox, who averages 6.8 points with a high motor and highlight reel-caliber dunk ability, said he wanted to win for Fort Worth — the city hasn’t won a state title since 2008 and hasn’t been represented in a boys basketball title game since Northwest’s appearance in 2018.
North Crowley guard Jonathan Fox (21) screams in reaction after making a dunk on a Coppell defender in the UIL 6A D1 regional semifinal at Timberview High School in Arlington, Texas, on Tuesday, March 3, 2026. Miles Meador Photo Special to the Star-Telegram
“It’s going to take heart and effort,” Fox said. “Integrity. We’ve got to put everything on the floor to win this.”
As a team, they are about to experience a trip to San Antonio that only a fraction make. Brakel said he hopes the basketball gods shine on the Panthers one more time.
“I’m excited for them, because I don’t think that they realize exactly what it’s going to be like until you’ve experienced it,” Brakel said. “And if we’re lucky enough to play well for 32 minutes and go pull this thing off and come home with a state championship, there’s nothing more gratifying, after all the work that you’ve put in.”
North Crowley head coach Tommy Brakel reacts in the final seconds against Duncanville during the second half of a UIL Class 6A Division I boys semifinal basketball game at Wilkerson-Greines Activity Center in Fort Worth, Texas, on Tuesday, March 10, 2026. Bob Booth Special to the Star-Telegram
.jpg)
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.