Mustangs end their drought vs. Panthers

By John English

Special to the Courier

Feb. 17, 2009.

That was the last time the Grapevine boys basketball team defeated Colleyville Heritage ... until last Friday.

The Mustangs went on a 21-10 fourth quarter run on Friday night to defeat Colleyville 60-45, improving to 6-3 in district competition.

Grapevine will take on R.L. Turner at 8 p.m. on Friday, and coach Kevin Starnes said his team will have to stay focused on playing its game to win.

"They are winless on the season, but they play extremely hard," Starnes said. "It is going to be important for us to continue to do the things that we are doing. We don't want to get pulled down into their game, but play at the level we have been at consistently."

Starnes said he really could not have asked more from his team in the victory against Colleyville Heritage.

"I would say that was probably our most complete game as a team," Starnes said. "When you're talking about defense, rebounding, offensive efficiency; everything was just really good.

"At this time of year, this is when you want to be playing those complete games, and in both games this past week, against Colleyville and L.D. Bell, I thought we played really well."

Grapevine defeated L.D. Bell 55-40 last Tuesday, and Starnes said the victories against Colleyville Heritage and Bell were a major confidence booster for his team.

"I think it was huge," Starnes said. "Trying to get them to believe in themselves and the system -- you need those positive reinforcements; those big victories to really solidify what you're telling them and what they're doing.

"They had a lot of energy on Saturday in practice, and I just feel like this should propel us to a good run to finish district."

The Mustangs started out district with a 2-3 record through its first five games and on the outside looking in terms of playoff positioning.

Now, entering this week at 6-3 in district, Grapevine is firmly entrenched in the playoff hunt, and Starnes said he attributes the turnaround to two big factors.

"One of the big things is that we got back a starter we lost in the first game of the season in Daniel Eibel," Starnes said. "He led us in scoring against Colleyville Heritage with 17 points. He started to get back some rhythm in his game, which will help our depth.

"I think our defense is clicking better, they are helping each other and taking pride in being physical, and they are finding ways to score within our offensive system."

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