High school boys basketball playoffs: North Crowley surges late; Coppell downs Plano East

Kedreon Cole and Rodney Wagner lead a Panther Creek blowout; Allen holds off Denton Braswell

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

North Crowley defeated Hurst L.D. Bell 68-50 in the bi-district round of the 6A Division I Region I playoffs, with junior guard Isaak Hayes scoring nine points in the fourth quarter. Coppell defeated Plano East 69-56, with junior Isaiah Fleming scoring 16 of his 21 points in the first half. Frisco Panther Creek routed Hampton Prep 119-18, with Kedreon Cole and Rodney Wagner combining for 67 points. Allen defeated Denton Braswell 61-51 in the bi-district round of the 6A Division I Region I playoffs.

Why it matters

The high school boys basketball playoffs are an exciting time, with teams vying for a chance to compete for a state championship. These games showcase the talent and determination of young athletes, and the results can have a significant impact on the trajectory of a team's season.

The details

In the North Crowley vs. L.D. Bell game, North Crowley, the state's No. 2 team, had to work hard for the victory, with L.D. Bell tying the game at the end of the first quarter and trailing by just five points at halftime. It took a 24-point fourth quarter from North Crowley to hold off L.D. Bell. In the Coppell vs. Plano East game, Coppell's fast-paced offense, led by junior Isaiah Fleming, proved too much for Plano East, as Coppell never trailed after taking a 39-30 lead at halftime. Coppell's defense also stepped up late in the game, with a zone defense that slowed down Plano East's comeback attempt. Frisco Panther Creek's blowout win over Hampton Prep was fueled by a dominant performance from Kedreon Cole and Rodney Wagner, who combined for 67 points. Allen, the state's 24th-ranked 6A team, defeated Denton Braswell 61-51 to advance to the area round.

  • On Monday night, North Crowley defeated Hurst L.D. Bell in the bi-district round of the 6A Division I Region I playoffs.
  • Also on Monday night, Coppell defeated Plano East 69-56 in the bi-district round of the playoffs.
  • Frisco Panther Creek routed Hampton Prep 119-18 in the bi-district round of the 4A Division II Region II playoffs.
  • Allen defeated Denton Braswell 61-51 in the bi-district round of the 6A Division I Region I playoffs.

The players

Isaak Hayes

A junior guard for North Crowley who scored nine of his team-high 21 points in the fourth quarter to help North Crowley hold off L.D. Bell.

Isaiah Fleming

A junior for Coppell who scored 16 of his 21 points in the first half to help Coppell take a 39-30 lead over Plano East.

Kedreon Cole

A player for Frisco Panther Creek who scored 34 points in the team's blowout win over Hampton Prep.

Rodney Wagner

One of the state's leading scorers, who added 33 points to Panther Creek's 119-18 win over Hampton Prep.

Jonathan Bradley

Scored a game-high 36 points for South Oak Cliff in their 73-69 win over Woodrow Wilson.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We knew that a game in the 40s was going to benefit (Plano East), and if it was a first-team-to-60, then it would benefit us.”

— Ryan Murphy, Coppell head coach

“If we went zone, we thought we could slow them down and break their rhythm a little bit, but we'd also be in position to box out.”

— Ryan Murphy, Coppell head coach

“I felt like we were gassing out a little bit and they (Plano East) were getting some really good looks. We were getting put in scrambles, and those scrambles prevented us from being in position to box out and rebound, so they were really hurting with that.”

— Ryan Murphy, Coppell head coach

What’s next

North Crowley will play the winner of Tuesday's El Paso Eastlake-Midland Legacy game in the next round. Coppell's win was their first playoff win since 2021 and first under head coach Ryan Murphy. Panther Creek, ranked 23rd in the state among Class 4A teams, will play the winner of the Carter-Godley game in the area round. Allen will meet the winner of the South Grand Prairie-Richardson game in the next round.

The takeaway

The high school boys basketball playoffs are in full swing, with teams showcasing their talent and determination to advance. These games highlight the competitive nature of the sport and the hard work these young athletes put in to achieve success. The results of these games can have a significant impact on the trajectory of a team's season and their chances of competing for a state championship.