Panthers dominating, get ready for Grapevine

The Colleyville Heritage boys basketball team improved to 11-2 on the season with a 67-43 victory over Lake Highlands on Friday, and coach Stephen Hamrick said he was pleased with how his team performed on both sides of the ball.

Colleyville Heritage played Irving on Tuesday night after the press deadline and will take on Grapevine at 7:30 p.m. on Friday at Grapevine High School. See www.dfwvarsity.com for results.

“I think that both communities really enjoy this game,” Hamrick said. “I think that both groups of kids really enjoy competing against their friends. They've grown up playing together, so I think it is always fun for those kids to play each other.

“There is always a good atmosphere and usually been a pretty good game,” Hamrick said. “As always, coach (Kevin) Starnes and the Mustangs have a pretty good team right now, and we are expecting a tough game.”

With realignment, Colleyville Heritage is now in 6A, whereas Grapevine is in the 5A division.

The Panthers cruised against Lake Highlands on Friday night in a game in which Hamrick said that his team played pretty well.

“At spots, we were pretty good and pretty efficient,” Hamrick said. “We did a good job on the defensive end in terms of controlling the backboard. Offensively, we were able to get out, and create some easy match ups in transition and just taking care of the ball and executing.”

Hamrick said that with about five non-district games left to go, he does believe his team is almost prepared to start district competition.

“We still have a number of games left in the non-district schedule, but I think the games we have played have prepared us well,” Hamrick said. “It is a process. I think as coaches we categorize our whole season in terms of the non-district, district season and then the playoffs, and our hope is that we are getting better night in and night out—not only in games, but also in practices.”

Hamrick said he cannot think of any individual players that deserve accolades at this points because his team is playing so well as an entire unit.

“I don't know if there is anyone that we can pin point right now,” Hamrick said. “I think it was a good group effort the other night against Lake Highlands. At different points in the season, we have had different individuals that have stepped up more than others, but it has been a group effort so far.

“Everyone has been pulling their weight. We have played pretty good team defense and getting the ball on the offensive end and executing our roles pretty well.”

This story was originally published December 15, 2014 at 4:00 PM with the headline "Panthers dominating, get ready for Grapevine."