Light comes on for Mustangs senior guard

Last week, Grapevine coach Kevin Starnes brought senior guard Daniel Eibel into his office to review film and look at why his offensive game was not progressing at the rate either wanted.

Much was made of Eibel’s five-point performance against Carroll, when he scored in the first quarter and was held scoreless for the remainder of the game in a 57-48 loss. The review took place before the Dec. 2 game at Mansfield Timberview.

“It was about 30-45 minutes where we just watched the film together and talked through some things,” Starnes said. “I think we closely aligned our visions in what I believed I think he could do. I just wanted him to go out and play.”

Maybe it was like the light going on. Eibel scored 20 points in Grapevine’s dramatic 56-55 victory over the Wolves. In the San Angelo tournament, Eibel proved it wasn’t just a one-time phenomenon. He scored 34, 14, 14 and 22 as Grapevine (7-5) went 3-1. The 34 points against Lubbock Trinity were a career high.

Eibel had all parts of his game flowing from catching and shooting to shooting off the dribble to taking the ball to the rim. To be sure, Eibel is playing up to his first-team all-district selection in 2013-2014.

“The win over Timberview was great,” Starnes said. “Maybe we needed to realize as a team we’ve got to show up and just think we can do it. We’re going to strive for greatness.”

Part of that was when the coaching staff decided to simplify the offensive approach. Starnes said they just let the team go play and not become concerned with the detailed reports. Sometimes, information overload can be too much.

Grapevine began a stretch Tuesday where it was playing four consecutive Class 6A schools. On Tuesday, the Mustangs played at Highland Park and they’ll play at Richardson on Friday.

Batchelor update

Senior post Bryce Batchelor (foot stress fracture) still remains on a timetable to return sometime in January. Starnes said Batchelor is expected to have an x-ray on his foot later this week.

It’s considered more of an update as to how the foot is healing. Starnes said he would be surprised if the timetable on Batchelor’s return is narrowed.

Colleyville Heritage update

It’s the first 10 days of December, and Colleyville Heritage is closing in on equaling its 2013-2014 win total. At 9-2, the Panthers are on an eight-game winning streak in which they won they won the Weatherford tournament. Markey Young averaged 15 points in the tournament and was named most valuable player.

Last year, this team won only 11 games. Still, head coach Steve Hamrick is trying to downplay the start. Any coach whose team is experiencing a turnaround will do that.

“We’re slowly but surely getting better,” Hamrick said. “Defensively, we’re getting very good stops and rebounds. We’re securing the ball better and able to stream possessions together efficiently.”

Keep in mind this is one of the biggest front courts in the area. The team didn’t have senior Maxx Crosby who was on his football official visit to Eastern Michigan this past weekend. But between Young Crosby and Alex Weaver, the Panthers truly have an inside-outside approach.

“It’s really a combination of experience and our guard play being very steady,” Hamrick said. “They’re doing a marvelous job in the paint scoring with their back to the basket and hitting threes.

“[Point guard] Kevin Ogega is getting the ball to where it needs to be and has been rock on our press defense. So those things are really helping us to where we want to be.”

This story was originally published December 8, 2014 at 6:00 AM with the headline "Light comes on for Mustangs senior guard."