With 7 returning players, BE second-year coach Eykyn expects to contend

Daniel Eykyn knows there’s no place like home. 

That sentiment allowed him to make a major career decision in what seemed like a split second after Bishop England High School offered him a promotion to boys’ head varsity basketball coach. 

“Bishop England has been the only place I have ever had interest in coaching,” Eykyn said at the time of his promotion. “The BE community is like no other. It truly feels like a family. As a Charleston native and a BE graduate, I know the rich tradition the school and program have in the Lowcountry, and I look forward to continuing it into the future.” 

Eykyn, who graduated from Bishop England in 2007, enjoyed a prep career that included 1,000 points, all-state honors, and a spot on the South roster for the North-South All-Star Game. 

Eykyn, who replaced longtime coach Bryan Grevey, led the Bishops to a 12-15 record and a berth in the Class AAAA state playoffs, despite inheriting a team that lost eight seniors after going 19-9 in Grevey’s last season. 

Eykyn served 13 years as an assistant before being tabbed head coach in time for the 2024-25 season. He still has the same enthusiasm and optimism. 

“My first year as head coach went well,” said Eykyn, who graduated from The Citadel in 2011 after playing hoops for a couple successful coaches: Chuck Driesell and Ed Conroy. “We competed in the region and had a great group that improved as we went along.” 

He noticed one change in moving up a rung from assistant to head coach. 

“The biggest difference was all the work done beyond practices and games,” he said. 

He’s been a part of seven teams, as a player and assistant coach, that won region titles. The common denominator was the players supported each other on and off the court as players and alumni. 

He will build on esprit de corps this winter as the team begins its second year at the Class AAAA level. 

Lang Tarrant, who led the Bishops with 17.4 points and 6.7 rebounds per game, graduated. But there is still talent on campus. 

“We return seven players, including five with starting experience,” Eykyn said. “I expect us to be able to compete for the region championship this year. Bluffton is the favorite to win the region, but we both return the same amount of players.” 

Senior Drew Gallagher earned all-region honors last winter, averaging 11.4 points and 5.8 rebounds per contest. He shot 58 percent from the field. 

Classmate Charlie Reardon returns for his final season at point guard. He averaged 4.2 points and 2.9 assists per game. 

Sophomore James Matsik shows promise after leading the junior varsity team in scoring last winter. 

The Bishops open the season on Monday, Dec. 1, at Hanahan High School to begin a stretch of three games in five days. They play at Academic Magnet Wednesday, Dec. 3, and host Philip Simmons on Friday, Dec. 5. The Bishops will play in two tourneys: the Goose Creek Showcase and the Carolina Invitational. 

“I’m looking forward to another great year,” Eykyn said.