​A Season Of Improvement For The Eagles Ends In Loss To Wildcats

​by John Unrein

     Twelve made three pointers and the senior leadership of Cole Keller, Jayden Yung, and Keeton Maxon were not enough for the Grain Valley Eagles boys basketball team to overcome the Blue Springs Wildcats in their Class 6 District 14 second round tournament clash on March 2nd. The Eagles left the court with quiet pride following the 77-54 defeat. Grain Valley’s coaching staff collectively waited outside the meeting room adjacent to the gymnasium gathering their thoughts before entering to address the team one last time this season.
     Eagles head basketball coach Andy Herbert emerged afterward to discuss a season of growth by his young roster and the trio of seniors who anchored the movement. Herbert’s teaching led a significant turnaround for his program as the months progressed. Grain Valley started the season 1-8 before turning the corner in January to go on a 9-6 run to close out the campaign. Herbert conveyed being thankful for the time he had with a team that gelled and was eager to learn.
     “To see this group come together has been special. This is the oddest group of misfits you have ever seen in that none of them go together, until we put them together on the basketball court. This group did not know each other as friends prior, and now you have this strong of a bond,” Herbert said.
     Herbert continued, “Blue Springs made it hard to go inside tonight so we had to shoot the ball as well as we did from outside. We put some game pressure on Blue Springs during the first half at least. That is what these guys have become, to have the toughness to make the needed shots so we can compete. This group has come so far it’s not even funny.”
     “We have asked this group to stick to the process every single day. That is easy to say and hard to do. I loved going to practice with these guys because you know they are going to work hard, they loved being together, and most importantly they wanted to learn so they could get better. It was gratifying.”
     Herbert finished, “Each one of our seniors all led in different ways. Cole (Keller) was the obvious vocal leader. Jayden (Yung) and Keeton (Maxon) led by how they carried themselves in refusing to be discouraged. Cole produced at a high level consistently for us. Proud is a petty word for how strongly I feel about this senior class.”
     Herbert gave his seniors and starters a strong sendoff by letting them leave to a round of standing applause from the visitor’s side of the court with 45 seconds remaining in the game. Keller and Owen Herbert were Grain Valley’s leading scorers with 14 and 13 points, respectively.
     The Wildcats leaned on their athleticism and height advantage to mount a strong second half lead. Blue Springs senior Elijah Wingert was adept and maneuvering his 6’ 8” frame to amass 22 points. Junior guard Michael Harrison was just as efficient outside for the Wildcats with his jump shot and drives to the basket that garnered 17 points.
     All three Grain Valley seniors held back emotion as they discussed their season and what being a part of the program has meant to them. The struggle to contain tears became more evident as parents greeted the group with loud cheers upon leaving their meeting room prior to boarding the bus.
     “They (Blue Springs) are a good basketball team. I wish them the best. The better they do (in the tournament) the more positively it will reflect on us,” Keller said.
     “I love this team. It sucks this has to be over, but all good things come to an end. The four years I have played here, I have had good relationships with everyone.”
     Yung added, “This is the most fun I have had in high school. Getting to be a part of this team has been something. You wish you had one more game or could come back next season, but that’s not the way it works.”
     “Coach Herbert is a great coach. It felt good to earn his trust. He pushed me to play my hardest and I learned that I could count on him for everything.”
     Maxon concluded, “I am proud of the legacy that we tried to create and leave behind. My hope is the younger guys take that and progress further.”
     Grain Valley concludes their season with a 10-14 record. A mark that may not accurately reflect the quality of growth put forth by a determined group of competitors.

Senior Cole Keller fights to position himself for a shot in the post.
Photo credit: John Overstreet

Senior Jayden Yung turns the corner in driving to the basket.
Photo credit: John Overstreet

Sophomore Avery Garmon cuts through traffic searching for an open teammate.
Photo credit: John Overstreet