FORT WORTH
North Crowley senior basketball player Tyler Hastings likes to keep things “low-key.”
He’s more on the reserved side. He minds his business, goes to class, and doesn’t want any unnecessary attention. But on Wednesday, when he arrived at school, he was suddenly the most popular student on campus.
On Tuesday, Hastings missed two free throws but seized the ultimate redemption, hitting a go-ahead 3-pointer against Duncanville to send North Crowley to the Class 6A Division I state championship.
Teammates lift North Crowley guard Tyler Hastings (15) after he made the winning basket, defeating Duncanville in 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
“When I came in, everybody was dapping me up,” Hastings said. “Everyone said, ‘What’s up?’ or ‘Hey, number 15, great shot.’ They were making jokes, calling me the city savior.”
Hastings said he prefers that his teammate Isaak Hayes carry that title. As a rotational player who might get a couple of minutes a game, he isn’t used to everyone knowing his name or putting his phone on do not disturb to silence Instagram notifications.
But he certainly left a mark with his shot, one that gave North Crowley its first state title berth since 2008 and Fort Worth its first appearance since 2018.
North Crowley players celebrated their win against Duncanville with fans and the football team in Fort Worth, Texas, Tuesday, March 10, 2026. Bob Booth Special to the Star-Telegram
He was a very unlikely savior of the Panthers’ season. Hastings averages only 1.85 points per game and has made 20 field goals.
But when North Crowley head coach Tommy Brakel was required to pick a free-throw shooter for the injured Kameron Price, he had the utmost confidence in him.
“The young man is in the gym all the time,” Brakel said. “And you watch his demeanor, you watch just the work that he puts in. … We all have a lot of faith in Tyler and his ability to shoot the basketball.”
When Hastings missed the first two free throws, Brakel said he couldn’t help but think of the worst-case scenario. North Crowley was on the cusp of another heartbreaking elimination.
“This kid’s about to have to live with this for the rest of his life,” Brakel said. “And eight seconds later, now this kid gets to live with it for the rest of his life. He gets to stick his chest out and say, ‘You know what, we went to that state championship game … and I got us there. I helped get us there.’”
Media, teammates and students swarmed Hastings, who raised the golden state semifinal trophy — the bottom broke off, but he slyly put it back. He said it was the best moment of his life.
And although he isn’t used to the attention, he definitely appreciates it. The shot was the culmination of a journey that wasn’t always easy.
Hastings started playing basketball at 10 years old. He comes from a basketball family. His father, Chris Hastings, serves as North Crowley’s associate head coach and has been in the high school scene for 12 seasons.
Tyler didn’t start playing seriously until he was a freshman. His first three years playing, he struggled with confidence.
At first it was a challenge, as some thought he was only playing because his dad was a coach. The duo struggled to find a balance between home and the court, but eventually figured it out.
As a senior at North Crowley surrounded by talented teammates, he found himself in a position to be himself and contribute in his own way.
“This environment was a great place for me to grow and push myself to the fullest,” Tyler Hastings said. “I feel like this year, I was like, ‘This is the year where I can actually help my team.’”
Now, Chris Hastings said coaching his son has been one of the best experiences. He was hard on him, but that helped him get to where he is today.
“Once I’d established myself as a good basketball player for the team, he let off the gas a little bit and just let me prove myself to my teammates,” Tyler Hastings said.
It’s safe to say he’s done that. Chris Hastings said watching his son have the “moment of a lifetime” was a crazy roller coaster and that he is incredibly proud.
North Crowley hit the whistle in record time after the buzzer. They were ready to celebrate the first state title appearance since 2008. pic.twitter.com/C2Y4RSGaAf
— Charles Baggarly (@swaggarly) March 11, 2026
Tyler Hastings may not stuff the stat sheet, but he has a role to play within the North Crowley powerhouse: Wait patiently and be ready when your number is called. He understands that and plays it perfectly.
“I’m going to do my best every day,” Tyler Hastings said. “For the rest of the practices we have to make my teammates better. And try to play the right game so we can win a state championship.
“I’m always ready.”
Life off the court
When he’s not making season-saving shots, Hastings works as a valet in Fort Worth. It’s a good way for a high school kid to make money, with an hourly wage and tips. He does take a small step back during the season, though.
“I’ll be able to work whenever I want in my life, but this is a one-time opportunity,” Hastings said. “When we didn’t have practice on Sundays, I would definitely go work and then just go work out later in the day.”
For fun, Hastings likes to play basketball or watch anime. He also pays attention to his studies and is a standout student.
“Tyler has always been a smart kid,” Chris Hastings said. “He’s in the top 10% of the senior class. National Honor Society. Part of the campus peer mediation group. He’s just a good kid who looks to take care of others.”
Although he isn’t quite sure where he’ll go, he has a scholarship worth more than $100,000 to attend LSU.
But before all that, he’ll travel with his teammates to San Antonio, where he’ll help in any way he can. And despite his newfound status, he said he’ll stick to the same “low-key” personality he’s always had.
“I always like to keep myself humble,” Tyler Hastings said. “Still one more game to go.”
.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.