Friday HS Basketball Fast Break: Cleburne girls stay hot, dump Joshua, and more

Welcome to The Fast Break, a biweekly Star-Telegram series featuring the top Fort Worth-area high school basketball news, performances and results.

GIRLS

Cleburne swarms Joshua to stay unbeaten in 8-5A

Cleburne, No. 21 in the latest Texas Association of Basketball Coaches Class 5A state poll, and No. 22 Joshua squared off on Friday at Cleburne and the game lived up to its billing. The Yellow Jackets played outstanding defense and both schools were very physical, but Cleburne managed to come away with a 40-26 win to stay undefeated in District 8-5A.

Cleburne (22-8 overall, 11-0 district) was led by senior Lily Sheppard and Alyssa Franklin who had 9 points each, including 2 threes each. Sheppard was honored after the game for becoming a 1,000 point scorer, which she reached on Thursday against Burleson Centennial.

“Lily is so special,” said Cleburne coach Tiffany Hill. “What makes her special is that her dad (A.J. Sheppard) is a football coach and this is her fourth school she’s attended in four years. You can only imagine how tough that is.”

Sheppard started her career at Mansfield Lake Ridge then went to Euless Trinity. She followed that going to Mansfield Summit where she won a district title and then to Cleburne.

“She’s been a big part in our success in what we’ve done here at Cleburne this year,” said Hill.

Cleburne got a strong defensive performance from Franklin, Isabel Guadamuz and Arissa Turner. Guadamuz contributed 8 points for the Yellow Jackets.

The Yellow Jackets are one team that Joshua (30-4, 8-3) hasn’t been able to solve. Of the Owls four losses, two are to Cleburne, one is to district mate Mansfield Summit by 3 points and one to Class 4A No. 2 Canyon.

Joshua was led by Austyn Miller with 8 points and Elexee Ray who chipped in 7.

Keller thumps Trinity to keep pace in 4-6A

Keller broke open a close game at the half en route to a 59-25 win over Euless Trinity in a District 4-6A game on Friday. Keller, which remains in second place in district, led 19-14 at the intermission, but outscored the Trojans 40-11 in the second half.

Keller (20-7 overall, 10-3 district) had 12 of its 13 players on the roster score points in the game. Audrey Heibel led the Indians with 10 points and Mia Arnold scored 9.

Serenity Davis led Trinity (9-19, 3-10) with a game-high 14 points.

Paschal remains perfect in District 7-5A

Fort Worth Paschal kept its perfect district record intact with a 50-36 win over Fort Worth Wyatt in District 7-5A play.

Paschal (17-13 overall, 10-0 district), which jumped out to a 28-15 lead at the half, was led by Audrina Bowers with 15 points while Victoria Hultgren tallied 8. Wyatt (12-11, 5-4) was led by Trinity Mitchell who had a game-high 19 points.

Southlake Carroll jumps out quick, rolls past Northwest

Southlake Carroll, TABC’s No. 6 team in the state in Class 6A, jumped out to a 26-point lead at the break then coasted to a 58-20 win over Justin Northwest in a District 4-6A game on Friday.

Carroll (27-1 overall, 13-0 district) was led by Whitney Jense who poured in 24 points. Angelina Bouley added 12 points for the Dragons.

Ryleigh Dryer and Lily Baker led Northwest (12-19, 2-10) with 4 points each.

L.D. Bell downs Keller Central to keep pace in 4-6A

Hurst L.D. Bell stayed on track for a playoff berth in District 4-6A as the Blue Raiders downed Keller Central 57-32 on Friday night.

L.D. Bell (23-8 overall, 7-5 district) was led by Hannah Due with 19 points. Madi Capers and Maddison Rhodes added 14 and 13 points respectively for the Blue Raiders.

Central (7-22, 0-12) was led by Ava Turner with 17 points.

Arlington Bowie takes down Sam Houston

Jordian Witherspoon scored 17 points and had 10 rebounds to lead Arlington Bowie (17-11 overall, 8-3 District 8-6A) to a 60-11 victory over Arlington Sam Houston (5-21, 0-11).

Saginaw thumps Brewer in 5-5A

Saginaw got 29 points from Shaniah Franklin and 25 more from Brookly Monroe as the Rough Riders ran rough shod over Fort Worth Brewer 73-34 in a District 5-5A contest on Friday night.

Franklin surpassed 1,000 career points for Saginaw (16-12 overall, 7-2 district), which remained in solid position for a playoff berth. Brewer fell to 6-20 overall and 1-8 in district play.

Everman outlasts Burleson, keeps playoff hopes alive

Everman got 21 points and 19 rebounds from Carsyn Smith and 13 points and 6 rebounds from Jahzeriah Esters as the Bulldogs kept their playoff hopes alive with a 56-32 win over Burleson in a District 8-5A contest on Friday.

Everman improves to 19-13 overall and 5-6 in district, a game behind Burleson Centennial who the Bulldogs will face on February 6. Burleson dropped to 2-9 in district and 16-17 overall.

Benbrook downs Western Hills to stay in title race

Benbrook (11-17 overall, 7-2 District 8-4A) got 14 points from Maddie Blocker and 10 more from Giuliana Lucero as the Bobcats remained in contention for a district title with a 38-14 win over Fort Worth Western Hills (2-19, 1-8).

Layla James led the Cougars with 8 points.

BOYS

Haslet Eaton stays atop 4-6A, downs Byron Nelson

Haslet Eaton remained on top of the District 4-6A standings, defeating cross-town rival Trophy Club Byron Nelson 55-39 on Friday at Eaton High School.

Caleb Harris led Eaton (22-6 overall, 10-1 district) with 22 points and 6 rebounds, going 9 of 14 from the field. The Eagles have another tough game on Saturday, facing second-place Southlake Carroll.

The Bobcats remained in solid contention for the final playoff berth in 4-6A. Byron Nelson dropped to 15-13 overall and 7-4 in district.

Lake Ridge edges Mansfield in 3-6A showdown

No. 18 Mansfield Lake Ridge got 27 points from Ashton Parker and 20 more from Onie Lewis as the Eagles held off No. 17 Mansfield 83-76 in a District 3-6A shootout.

Lake Ridge improved to 19-7 overall and 5-2 in district while Mansfield fell to 21-6 and 6-2. Demetrius George added 18 points for the Eagles.

Caden Shaver led the Tigers with 18 points with Chase Jackson chipping in 15 points. Zion Robinson and Preston Jackson added 13 points each for Mansfield.

Joshua takes advantage of cold-shooting Cleburne

Joshua took a leg up in staying in the running for the final playoff spot in District 8-5A with a 42-19 drubbing of Cleburne on Friday night at Cleburne High School.

Joshua improved to 14-14 overall and 3-6 in district play, a game ahead of Cleburne, Everman and Burleson and a game behind Arlington Seguin for the final playoff berth. Addison Auvenshine paced the Owls with 19 points with Lamarcus Fisher finishing with 13 points.

Parker Philips led Cleburne, which struggled shooting from the field all night, with 6 points.

Covenant Classical routs Weatherford Christian

Fort Worth Covenant Classical got 17 points from Tate Mitchell to lead the Cavaliers to a 84-32 victory against Weatherford Christian in a TAPPS 1-3A game on Friday.

Covenant Classical improved to 16-11 overall and 7-0 in district play. Weatherford Christian (1-16 overall, 0-6 district) was led by K. Williamson with 15 points.

Ellis Mitchell contributed 14 points and Austin Gray chipped in 13 for Covenant Classical. Jack Liebelt and Matthew belt added 11 points each for the Cavaliers.

GIRLS SCORES

Mansfield Lake Ridge 57, Mansfield 43

Southlake Carroll 58, Justin Northwest 20

Keller 59, Euless Trinity 25

Hurst L.D. Bell 57, Keller Central 32

South Grand Prairie 55, Arlington 27

Arlington Martin 49, Grand Prairie 23

Saginaw 73, FW Brewer 34

Aledo 51, Keller Fossil Ridge 33

NRH Birdville 62, NRH Richland 36

Colleyville Heritage 55, Denton 18

Denton Ryan 67, Grapevine 39

Mansfield Summit 53, Burleson Centennial 28

Cleburne 40, Joshua 26

Brownwood 27, Glen Rose 23

Brock 59, Mineral Wells 33

Stephenville 42, Graham 27

Burkburnett 75, Lake Worth 19

FW Eagle Mountain 85, River Oaks Castleberry 19

Decatur 98, Krum 33

FW Dunbar 39, FW Southwest 37

FW Carter-Riverside 37, FW Western Hills 15

Hillsboro 62, Kennedale 53

Waxahachie Life 48, Alvarado 33

Lipan 69, Hico 45

FW Nolan Catholic 74, Addison Trinity Christian 25

FW Southwest Christian 54, FW All Saints Episcopal 23

Lubbock Trinity Christian 48, Fort Worth Christian 41

Arlington Grace Prep 45, Grapevine Faith Christian 36

Pantego Christian 41, Dallas The Covenant 27

Lubbock Christian 55, FW Lake Country Christian 48

Kennedale Fellowship 41, Denton Calvary 33

Dallas Episcopal 58, FW Trinity Valley 26

BOYS SCORES

Mansfield Lake Ridge 83, Mansfield 76

Crowley 82, FW Boswell 41

Weatherford 57, Mansfield Legacy 52

Hurst L.D. Bell 66, Keller Central 40

Keller 56, Euless Trinity 38

Southlake Carroll 73, Justin Northwest 34

Haslet Eaton 55, Trophy Club Byron Nelson 39

Grand Prairie 60, Arlington Martin 52

Arlington Lamar 49, Haltom 41

South Grand Prairie 78, Arlington 28

Aledo 62, Keller Fossil Ridge 56

Denton 51, Colleyville Heritage 36

NRH Birdville 61, NRH Richland 52

Denton Ryan 38, Grapevine 20

FW Wyatt 62, FW Paschal 54

FW Trimble Tech 45, FW South Hills 34

Mansfield Timberview 60, Burleson 45

Arlington Seguin 63, Everman 50

Joshua 42, Cleburne 19

Brock 49, Mineral Wells 40

Krum 88, Decatur 38

Burkburnett 91, Lake Worth 27

FW Southwest 66, FW Dunbar 55

Benbrook 60, FW Eastern Hills 57

FW Western Hills 55, FW Carter-Riverside 35

Waxahachie Life 57, Alvarado 45

Peaster 69, Millsap 52

Tolar 61, Eastland 23

Keene 66, Maypearl 45

Perrin-Whitt 64, Newcastle 55

Addison Trinity Christian 43, FW Nolan Catholic 37

Arlington Grace Prep 64, Grapevine Faith Christian 47

FW All Saints Episcopal 71, FW Southwest Christian 65

Pantego Christian 56, Dallas The Covenant 43

Dallas Episcopal 67, FW Trinity Valley 33

FW Country Day 78, Irving Cistercian 35

Arlington St. Paul’s 63, Weatherford Grace Christian 31

FW Uplift Elevate 64, Arlington Newman International 57

This story was originally published January 30, 2026 at 11:11 PM.