North Crowley Panthers End Decades-Long Championship Drought for Fort Worth
For eighteen long years, the city of Fort Worth had been waiting. Eighteen years since a high school boys’ basketball team from the city had hoisted a UIL Texas state championship trophy. That drought officially ended on Saturday at the Alamodome, as the North Crowley Panthers decisively defeated San Antonio Brennan with a final score of 65-52 to secure the Class 6A Division I state championship. This marks the second title for the Panthers and head coach Tommy Brakel, with their previous championship coming in 2008.
“We’ve worked so hard this year,” Brakel stated after the victory. “These guys have put in an incredible amount of time. But it hasn’t been just about that. It’s about them sacrificing the individual for the good of the team.” The Panthers’ path to the championship was marked by resilience, including a dramatic game-winning shot in the state semifinals by Tyler Hastings that downed Duncanville. This victory propelled them to Fort Worth’s first title appearance since 2018.
“To say that it means a lot to me to bring this back for the community – that’s an understatement,” Brakel continued. “But it wasn’t even about that. It was about these guys and them making all the sacrifices that we asked them to.” The journey for North Crowley has been one of persistent effort, with the team reaching the regional semifinals a remarkable 12 times since their last championship in 2008. This history of near misses, according to junior guard Isaak Hayes, served as a potent motivator. While North Crowley has fielded talented teams over the years, this particular group managed to break through.
“You talk to them about being a team,” Brakel explained. “And then you have a chance to do something special. Doesn’t always work out that way, and I’m just so happy for these guys.” The Panthers’ basketball triumph is the latest in a series of impressive athletic achievements for Crowley ISD, following the football team’s capture of the 2024 Class 6A Division I state title. “I couldn’t be more proud of our athletic department and the success we’ve had,” added Brakel, who also serves as the athletic coordinator for the district.
Panthers Dominate from the Tip-Off
North Crowley, ranked No. 2 in Class 6A by the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches, entered the championship game with an impressive 35-4 record. They wasted no time establishing their dominance, exploding out of the gate with a blistering start fueled by senior Alex Barther II. Barther poured in nine points in the opening quarter, showcasing a relentless hustle and gritty performance. Supported by a suffocating team defense, the Panthers established a commanding 14-6 lead by the end of the first quarter.
The second quarter saw junior guard Isaak Hayes catch fire. Hayes drained two crucial three-pointers, igniting a scoring run that propelled the Panthers to an overwhelming 31-12 lead by halftime. In contrast, No. 4 Brennan (33-4) struggled mightily from the field, managing to shoot only 25% in the first half.
While Brennan managed to trim the deficit in the third quarter, cutting it to 44-31 heading into the final frame, their efforts were ultimately insufficient. North Crowley consistently maintained a double-digit advantage, effectively controlling the tempo of the game.
Key statistical advantages for North Crowley included a significant edge in offensive rebounding, where they secured nine more boards than the Bears. Their strong ball security was also evident, as they forced 10 turnovers from Brennan. “This team has bought into protecting the ball,” Brakel emphasized.
Hayes Leads the Charge as MVP
Isaak Hayes was rightfully named the championship game’s Most Valuable Player. He concluded the contest with a game-high 22 points, complemented by three rebounds and six assists. His performance at the free-throw line was particularly clutch, as he converted 10 of 12 attempts, helping to seal the victory in the crucial fourth quarter. Hayes appeared visibly stunned when his name was announced as MVP, stating that his sole focus had been on securing the win for his team.
“A phenomenal playmaker,” Brakel described Hayes. “He can make plays for himself, and he can make plays for his teammates. He can do so many things to help your team be successful.”
Other significant contributions came from Trey Hall, who recorded a double-double with 11 points and a game-high 10 rebounds, along with three steals and two blocks. Alex Barther II added 17 points, two rebounds, and a steal for the Panthers.
For Brennan, Donovan Criss led the team with 15 points, adding four rebounds and two assists. Sean Mondragon contributed 13 points. This marked Brennan’s first championship game appearance, following previous losses in the state semifinals in 2025, 2023, and 2013.
The 13-point margin of victory for North Crowley was significantly influenced by their exceptional free-throw shooting. The Panthers made 27 of 36 free throws, including a critical 15 of 20 in the fourth quarter. Brennan, conversely, converted 13 of 20 from the line. “It means everything,” Hall declared after the game. “We came a long way.”
