Lake Ridge boys basketball coach heading to Houston

By Charles Baggarly

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Mansfield Lake Ridge boys basketball head coach Cornelius Mitchell is heading to the Houston-area to become the next head basketball coach at CE King, he told the Star-Telegram Thursday.

Under Mitchell’s direction, Lake Ridge developed one of the most prominent Class 6A boys basketball programs in Texas.

In his first year at the helm in the 2023-24 season, he led the Eagles to an 11-3 district record and a 32-7 overall record en route to the school’s first boys basketball state semifinal appearance.

It was a huge bounce-back season after a 4-9 district record one year prior.

In the 2024-25 season, Mitchell took the program to new heights. The team posted a 33-4 overall record and a 12-0 District 3-6A record against one of the toughest groups in Texas, which includes perennial powerhouse North Crowley — Lake Ridge was a championship favorite in Class 6A, but the season was cut short due to the use of an ineligible player in the area round.

Lake Ridge posted a 23-9 record in the 2025-26 season, finishing second in District 3-6A behind North Crowley, the 2026 Class 6A Division I state champions. In three seasons under Mitchell, the Eagles dropped six district games.

Mansfield ISD athletics said on X the district is looking to hire the “next great leader” and head coach for Lake Ridge boys basketball. The post directed interested candidates to apply online, and email resumes to Mansfield ISD assistant athletic director Dawn Mailloux-Smith and head football coach and athletic coordinator Kirk Thor.

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