The second half was unkind to the Lady Eagles basketball team on January 29th in their 49-33 loss to the Barstow Lady Knights in the championship game of the Sonic Showdown. Turnovers and missed shots by Grain Valley along with the athleticism of Jaelyn and Brylee Glenn for Barstow permitted the scoring gap to widen in favor of the Lady Knights.
     The Glenn twin sisters for Barstow are committed to play basketball at Kansas State University. Jaelyn led all scorers during the contest with 19 points, while Brylee added 7 points of her own. The length of both 6 foot sisters on defense hindered the operating space of the Lady Eagles offense to which they are accustom.
      Both Glenn sisters and freshman guard Holly Woods were selected to the all-tournament team for Barstow. Grace Slaughter, Gabbi Keim, and Ella Clyman enjoyed being chosen as all-tournament team selections for Grain Valley. Slaughter’s stat line for the Lady Eagles included 15 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 steals. Keim would add 5 points and 6 rebounds, as Clyman would contribute 2 points, 8 rebounds, and 1 assist.
     “Both of the (Glenn) twins have really long arms and we were not use that. We have Grace (Slaughter), but one person can only do so much. There’s always room for improvement and we will work to get ready for some of the tough teams we will face down the stretch,” Keim said.
     Slaughter added, “We struggled to get fast breaks tonight due to their (Barstow’s) quickness and speed. They were staring at us as we were trying to get our offense started on possessions. It was good for us to see this physical play in knowing what we need to work on moving forward.”
     Grain Valley (9-4) is scheduled to play five of their final eight regular season games at home. Avoiding bus trips late in the season is typically welcome for a basketball team. Lady Eagles head basketball coach Randy Draper is cognizant of what he wants to see from his young team on the cusp of February basketball.
     “We need to get use to playing a team with that type of physicality. Our upcoming games are going to test us in that realm further,” Draper said.
     “I was pretty happy with our effort defensively. I told them we’re going to spend a lot of time talking about defense, but this game will be decided offensively.”
     “At the end of the first half they only had 18 points, but we had 13. We have to learn how to open and close in the toughest games. You don’t learn that without playing though.”
     Draper finished, “We typically speed people up with the way we play, but that happened to us tonight. There were times when we were open and not ready. The film will open our eyes to that, and we can improve.”
     Grain Valley point guard Grace Slaughter moved closer to attaining 1,000 career points in the loss to Barstow. A crazy milestone to consider with Slaughter only being a sophomore.
     The Lady Eagles will take on William Chrisman and St. Joseph Benton the week of February 1st. The two opposing teams boast a combined record of 18-10, with both upcoming contests being a solid test for Grain Valley.

​     Rare is it in high school football to have the physical attributes and leadership skills necessary to be a starter at varsity quarterback for three seasons. Finding a head coach that possesses the trust and patience to put a sophomore at 15 to 16 years of age in that position is rare, especially in Class 4 and 5 Missouri high school football.
     The relationship between Senior Cole Keller and Grain Valley Eagle head football coach David Allie was one of those unique instances. Sideline conversations between the two have evolved since the 2018 season. Keller has become more vocal and stubborn over the years due to his competitive nature. Allie has shifted from being a “take a deep breath” coach to engaging in direct and honest dialogue with Keller as his maturation process continued.
     Both Keller and Allie have benefited from their “thick skin” in the figurative marriage between quarterback and head coach. Evidence of this is provided in the dual threat Keller became as he harnessed the concepts of Allie’s spread offense. One that is “heavy” on the quarterback making the correct option reads running the football as well as recognizing coverage and where to deliver the football through the air.
     “Cole has always seemed mature beyond his age. Even as a freshman, being thrown into varsity competition, there was never any hesitation to go in or outward nervousness displayed by Cole. Much of that maturity stemmed from the confidence he had in his abilities,” Allie said.
     “As early as his sophomore year, there was no doubt who was in charge of the huddle, or the offense on the field. He had the proverbial ‘moxie,’ and could back it up with his athleticism and physical abilities. But, he was also mature enough to understand there was always room for growth. As much as he grew physically, he actually grew more mentally.”
     Allie continued, “Cole drastically improved his grasp of the offensive schemes and took ownership in watching film of the opponent to best prepare himself and his team. Though his belief in himself and his teammates helped Cole mature, his intense desire as a competitor also played an important part in that development.”
     “It did not matter if it was a group activity in our teambuilding off-season program or a play being ran in practice, Cole was always wanted to win.”
     Keller’s career numbers are eye popping to say the least. Furthermore, the Eagles record has progressed positively each season that Keller was under center and Allie was at the helm. Grain Valley went from 5-5 during 2018, to 9-4 during 2019, and 10-2 during the 2020 season, including back to back district championships in the final two years of that stretch.
     Grain Valley assistant football coach Ryan Adams is the team’s statistician and provides local media with excellent support in getting the story correct by the numbers. His expertise was used in compiling Keller’s high school football career stats.
 
Passing Stats
Completions/Attempts:  231 completions out of 429 attempts. 53.8% Completion Rate
 
Passing Yards:  3,597
 
Touchdowns/Interceptions:  35/20
 
Rushing Stats
Attempts:  313
 
Rushing Yards:  1,914
 
Yards Per Carry Average:  6.1
 
Rushing Touchdowns:  35
 
     Keller’s aptitude on the gridiron raised more than a few eyebrows of NCAA football programs, including those of Craig Schurig who is the head football coach of the Washburn Ichabods. 
     Topeka, Kansas is the location of Washburn University that claimed a 2019 enrollment of 6,285 students. The Ichabods play NCAA Division II football and are part of the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA). The entire 2020 football schedule was suspended for Washburn due to the current pandemic.
     Keller shared his thoughts behind his recent verbal commitment to Washburn University and what he is most excited about in continuing his academic career as a student athlete. A nod to the faith Allie bestowed in him was also offered.
     “I feel like Washburn is where I can fulfill my potential. They offer a good mentor for me, great facilities, and a solid coaching staff,” Keller said.
     “I am most excited about the vision they have for me within their offense. Playing many different places on the field will allow me to showcase my athleticism and versatility.”
     “Coach Allie got the ball in my hands and let me make plays. Without his trust in me, I would not be the player I am today. That trust made it special.”
     Allie was mutual in his admiration for what Keller has accomplished and where it may lead at the next level.
     “Cole’s athletic and academic prowess has secured him a significant scholarship offer to Washburn University. While he was recruited by many schools as a quarterback, and even as a linebacker by a couple of schools, he chose to select a school closer to home that will use his athletic talents at wide receiver,” Allie said.
     “In talking with their coach, they plan to utilize his big frame and great speed in a variety of offensive positions, from H-back, to slot, to wideout. It also wouldn’t surprise me if they used him occasionally as a ‘Wildcat’ quarterback that can run or pass.”
     Keller’s cheering section and positive sphere of adult influence date back to middle school. Craig Hastings was Keller’s 7th grade science teacher and currently serves as an assistant principal at Grain Valley South Middle School. The two have stayed in touch through the years and have not stopped sharing postgame handshakes and laughs.
     “Cole was well mannered, a respectful kid, and an exceptional student. I really enjoyed talking football with him, coaching his dodgeball team, and watching his progress through high school,” Hastings said.
     “Cole will succeed at the college level, and in life, because he is such a hard worker and great leader. He has always been athletically blessed from a young age, but he is respected by his coaches and peers because of the work he puts in and his refusal to lose.”
     The echoes of the 2020 football campaign continue to reverberate for the Eagles. Keller is one of the latest Grain Valley student athletes to make a verbal commitment to leave the nest.
 

     The Board of Aldermen unanimously passed the first reading of an ordinance to establish the Grain Valley Mercado Community Improvement District (CID) during its January 25th meeting.  
     Following  a public hearing on the matter, the board approved the first reading of the ordinance which allows for the establishment of the CID located west of S. Buckner Tarsney Road and abuts the north side of NE McQuerry Road. The district covers approximately 12 acres with properties assessed at a value of $131,849.
     STAR Acquisitions, Inc. and the City worked on the development incentive program which is expected to provide 85,000 square feet of fast food, retail, office, and industrial use. Construction is expected to begin by December 2021 and be completed by December 2024.
     If approved, the district will establish a district sales tax of up to 1 percent (1.0%) for the funding of improvements and services that serve the property within the district.
     The board also approved a contract with Midwest Pool Management to continue to provide management of the aquatic center through the 2023 season.
     The board will meet for a workshop session on Tuesday, February 2nd at 6:00pm prior to the next regularly scheduled board meeting on February 8th at 7:00pm.
 

     The 6th seeded Grain Valley Eagles boys basketball team successfully defended their home court in the Sonic Showdown tournament opener against the 3rd seeded Barstow Knights. The Eagles would pull away from their opponent during the fourth quarter for a 58-47 win. Grain Valley head basketball coach Andy Herbert emerged from the locker room after the game with water spots covering his blue Under Armour pullover.
     “I got a shower and returned the favor. It was a celebration in the locker room that was well earned. Everyone who played in this game did something to help us win. That is why this is a team sport,” Herbert said.
     Among the Eagles putting forth a stellar effort in securing the victory were Cole Keller, Keagan Hart, and Owen Herbert. Keller’s 28 points, 16 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals, and 4 blocks cemented his team’s triumph, and was the second game in a row the senior would deliver a double-double. Keller found a way to stay aggressive on both ends of the court despite picking up two early fouls.
     Herbert did not let his occasional early misses from behind the arc halt his confidence as the game unfolded in continuing to hoist long range shots. The sophomore guard continues to display a keen understanding of floor spacing beyond his years in finding open spots on the floor after maneuvering through traffic on the court. Eleven points, including a trio of three pointers and two made free throws late in the game capped Herbert’s successful night.
     Hart exploded in the fourth quarter to slow down Barstow senior point guard Connor Arment in helping to hold him to 14 points. The Eagles free safety in football did not shy away from contact defensively. Hart consistently went underneath the screens set by the Knights at the top of the key in their pick and roll offensive set to limit Arment. Adoration from his teammates was abundant for the Eagle sophomore upon exiting the locker room. Hart would finish with 6 points, 1 rebound, 4 assists, and 2 steals.
     “I picked up two (fouls) early, knowing that I usually play significant minutes, I understood that I would need to be cautious. You can still be aggressive. You just have to pick and choose your moments. I continue to focus on finishing offensively in the post through both shoulders,” Keller said.
     Herbert added, “In the past, I would stop shooting after missing a few. I am encouraged by coaches though to keep shooting. I can tell now by feel how my shot is going. I’ve been watching these games (the Sonic Showdown) for a lot of years and it’s awesome to be on the good side of the bracket after one game.”
     Hart concluded, “My role is as a defensive player on this team. Coach Herbert told me in the fourth quarter to go pester the heck out of number 23 (Connor Arment). Having five fouls to do that with made it a fun assignment.”
     Grain Valley was strategic under Herbert’s discretion in using an eight man rotation during the game to stay fresh during the second half. The judgment paid dividends as the halftime score was knotted at 23 apiece.
     Herbert was vocal from the sideline in providing instruction on beating the full court press. It was the second game in a row that an adversary would try to create turnovers and instant offense through defensive intensity. Senior point guard Jayden Yung was more aggressive with the dribble in getting across the half court line then he was previously against Fort Osage. The difference was notable in permitting the Eagles to get into their offensive sets with more fluidity.
     “It seemed like Cole got to every loose rebound in the second half. Keagan did a great job slowing down their offense late in the game. His intensity and confidence were special, including a back cut layup and the steal and finish he had,” Herbert said.
     “All we have talked about since last Friday night was defeating the press. You cannot wait to get trapped and Jayden (Yung) did a good job tonight understanding when to continue with the dribble and when to throw it. We finally got guys in the right place in the second half to catch it, which helped a lot.
     Grain Valley moves to a 4-9 record on the season with a win each of their last two games. The Eagles continue play in the Sonic Showdown tournament at 7:00pm on January 28th.
 

     The Chiefs are going to the Super Bowl! Although COVID-19 may have put a halt to large parties, you can still have a small family gathering at home and enjoy the festivities. But what if you’ve been trying to eat healthier and you’re afraid the game time snacks may derail your plan?
     Especially when the top foods for Super Bowl Sunday are cookies, cheese and crackers, nachos, pizza, chicken wings and chips and dip. Don’t just sit on the sidelines and avoid food altogether—just keep from overdoing it with these simple tips.
 
Don’t Save Up Space
     One of the worst things you can do before a party or any food occasion is to starve yourself during the day so you can binge at the party. A better solution is to have something light and semi-filling before the party so that you are able to make better choices and have better portion control when you’re around all of those tempting foods.
 
Make Something Healthy
     Healthy food doesn’t have to be boring and tasteless. Make something that you truly enjoy that isn’t super high in calories, sugar or fat. And you don’t even have to tell anyone that it’s healthy. You will be surprised to find out that your guests will love the food you make. Need an idea? Try the healthy, yet delicious appetizer in this column.
 
Don’t Drink Your Calories
     Alcohol has calories and at parties we tend to overindulge. Not only do you need to be concerned about the calories in the alcohol itself, but studies have shown that drinking alcohol makes you consume more food.
     Try alternating alcohol with water, or some of the new flavored sparkling waters, to decrease your intake and to stay hydrated which will also prevent that awful hangover the next morning.
 
Be Active
     If you know you may eat more than usual during the evening game, make sure you are a little more active earlier in the day. Take a walk or do a workout burn some extra calories.
 

​The following information is derived from the Grain Valley Police Department daily calls for service log for the week of January 13-19, 2021.
 

     The Grain Valley Herald went out of business in December, 1918. The owner, R. C. Hague sold his subscription list to The Oak Grove Banner.  At that time, he agreed to edit a “Grain Valley page” in the Banner.
     From Volume 37, Number 35 published on April 30, 1926, available at the Grain Valley Historical Society, I found they were still including our news in their paper.
     By 1926, Mrs. A. M. White was the news correspondent. Like most news of the day, it was mostly “society” news –who ate dinner with whom and who was visiting from out of town. There was one birth announcement and several reports of illness.  Well over half of the page was advertisements. I did learn that the Grain Valley baseball team had played on Sunday afternoon at the diamond north of Grain Valley High School. They defeated the Beacon Hill team of Kansas City by a score of 13-2!
     On another page under the title, “It Happened Ten Years Ago,” I read the following announcement:
     A marriage license was issued in Kansas City last Saturday to Byrl Baumgardner, of Grain Valley, and Miss Ona Stephenson, southwest of Oak Grove. Miss Stephenson is the daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Charles Stephenson.
     From the advertisements I learned you could buy a Ford battery for $12.95 at Edgar Huff’s garage and Dr. A. L. Dwyer was in town on Wednesday with offices in the Sni-A-Bar bank building. He was prepared to furnish modern reliable dentistry at reasonable prices.
     In the 1920s many newspapers carried advertisement for “Bull” Durham tobacco.  Will Rogers, Ziegfeld Follies, screen star and American humorist, was a spokesperson for the American Tobacco Company which marketed the Durham brand.  He became well known for his column, The Bull’s Eye. His comments in this particular issue of The Oak Grove Banner might be considered somewhat timely today.
     He writes, “Congress, No 2:  Statistics have proven that only one-half of one per cent of the speeches made in Congress are listened to. A great many Congressmen speak IN, but not TO, Congress. But every speech is published in the record. They send the records back home to show ‘What they told ‘em up there in Washington.’ Now the people back home think Congress heard their ‘Lem’ tell ‘em this.”
     Will Rogers continued, telling folks how to resolve the situation, but the important message came at the end when he stated why  “ …they won’t listen to anybody up there? They have gone out to smoke, that’s why, and you know why they’ve gone out to smoke? Why, ‘Bull’ Durham, of course. It’s better than any speech ever made.”
     Visit the Grain Valley Historical Society and take a look at our collection.  I think you would enjoy both the history and the humor found in these old newspapers.
     Visit the Grain Valley Historical Society at 506 S. Main on Wednesdays or visit us online at ww.grainvalleyhistory.com and Facebook (@grainvalleyhistory).
 

     Missouri is known as the "Show Me State," but maybe we should call it the "Read Me State."  
     Famous Missourian writers include T. S. Elliot, Maya Angelou, Mark Twain, Laura Ingalls Wilder,Tennessee Williams, and Sara Teasdale. Or maybe with more than 6,000 known caves, Missouri should be "The Cave State."
 

     The new year is underway, and whether you were just happy to put 2020 behind you or approached 2021 with a laundry list of new year’s resolutions, I am certain we all are hopeful that things will get better this year.
     Many of us know from experience that you are more likely to bridge the gap between where you are and the hope you have for the future by making a plan for how to get there. That is exactly how Willa Fancher and Martha Taggart approached life and why their estate plan is set to have a transformational impact on the future of our community.
     Longtime friends and Kansas City residents, Fancher and Taggart were inspired to leave a lasting legacy and provide support that would help nonprofits address the ever-changing needs of the community. Working with their trusted financial advisor, they included a generous $2.8 million unrestricted gift to Truman Heartland Community Foundation in their estate plans. The new Willa L. Fancher and Martha A. Taggart Endowment Fund, an endowed grantmaking fund, will benefit nonprofits serving our region.
     More than $65,000 in additional funding will be available this year for our competitive grants program, thanks to the Willa L. Fancher and Martha A. Taggart Endowment Fund. That means this year more than $320,000 will be available in community grants through the Community Foundation’s competitive grants program. As an endowed fund, their legacy will make a positive impact in the Eastern Jackson County community into perpetuity and is projected to make cumulative grants of more than $9.1 million in the next 50 years. That is the power of an endowment.
     For many, a planned legacy gift is a way to honor loved ones, establish a scholarship fund or by naming a child successor, make charitable giving a family tradition. Our community is blessed with many generous individuals and families who have a vision for the future of our community and have established plans to ensure that the causes they care about continue to receive the funding they need year, after year, after year.
     Our grants are an investment in our community and an important part of our plan to strengthen our region for the future. As nonprofits continue to navigate the financial and operational strains of the pandemic, this year’s competitive grants program offers critical funding for program and general operating support.
     We are hosting a free Competitive Grants Application Webinar on Thursday, February 4 at 1 p.m. to help area nonprofits learn about our grants programs, including deadlines and requirements. Visit www.thcf.org for more information about the competitive grants program and upcoming webinar.
 
      Phil Hanson is the president and CEO of Truman Heartland Community Foundation. Truman Heartland Community Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity committed to improving the communities in and around Eastern Jackson County through partnerships with donors and community members. For more information on charitable giving, visit www.thcf.org or call Truman Heartland at 816-836-8189.  
 

     Missouri non-farm payroll employment increased again in December 2020, but a large increase in the civilian labor force sent unemployment higher. Employment, seasonally adjusted, increased by 10,400 jobs over the month, and over-the year job losses from COVID-19 shutdowns fell below 100,000.
     The labor market still showed substantial losses from 2019 levels, and ongoing COVID infections pose a threat of continued economic challenges.
Missouri’s smoothed seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased by 1.3 percentage points in December 2020, jumping to 5.8 percent from a revised November 2020 rate of 4.5 percent.
     The estimated number of unemployed Missourians was 180,137 in December 2020, up by 45,701 from November’s 134,436.
     Despite the increase, Missouri’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate has now been either below or equal to the national rate for 69 consecutive months. The national unemployment rate was 6.7 percent in December 2020. 
Due to lingering layoffs from COVID-19 shutdowns, Missouri’s December 2020 rate was also 2.4 percentage points higher than the December 2019 rate. 
     After record lows in 2018 and slow increases in 2019, the rate spiked beginning in March 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The rate peaked at 10.2 percent in April 2020 before decreasing slightly in May 2020, then moving strongly lower in June and July of 2020 as COVID-19 restrictions were eased.
     After a growing number of COVID-19 cases in August 2020 caused a small setback for the labor market, unemployment again decreased sharply in September 2020, followed by smaller decreases in October 2020 and November 2020, before an increase of 70,532 in the statewide civilian labor force in December 2020 caused a substantial jump in unemployment.
 
 

     The Grain Valley Lady Eagles basketball team took care of business during the opening round of the Sonic Showdown basketball tournament on January 25th. Sophomore point guard Grace Slaughter led all scorers during the contest with 32 points as her 2nd seeded Grain Valley team dispatched the 7th seeded Oak Park Lady Oakies by a score of 63-33.
     Lady Eagles head basketball coach Randy Draper used a carousel of defenses that included full court press, man to man, and the 1-3-1 zone to stymy the Lady Oakies offense. The formula worked as Oak Park was held scoreless during the first quarter. Sophomore guard Maddie Moore got her shot going as the game progressed and was Oak Park’s leading scorer with 10 points.
     Grain Valley found success attacking their opponents 2-3 zone defense by consistent movement without the basketball, driving the lane, and passing to open shooters behind the arc. Finley LaForge, Jordyn Weems, and Emma Thiessen were among the Lady Eagles who joined Slaughter in finding success behind the three point line.
     Another attribute of Grain Valley’s success was the rebounding and post scoring of Gabbi Keim and Ella Clyman. Both used box out positioning under the boards to arrive at successful outcomes in retrieving missed shots. Clyman would pull down 9 boards to go with her 6 points, 2 assists, and 2 steals. Keim would add 5 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals as well.
     “Our goal as a team is to get after it from the start of the game. We followed our plan on defense and pushed the ball on offense (in transition). This was fun tonight,” Weems said.
     Clyman added, “Our intensity was apparent tonight. We were quick moving the ball and that led to open looks.”
     Slaughter concluded, “My parents always remind me that if one thing is not working, you have to go to something else. My three point shot came on after I got my drive going to the lane. Open looks outside then allowed for entry passes to the post. All those things led to our success.”
     The all-around solid team effort permitted Draper to empty his bench with 5:42 left in the 4th quarter. Varsity starters for the Lady Eagles turned into a raucous bunch on the bench cheering on their teammates. The reward of rest and getting to be vocal was well received in a showing of team unity.
     “Our teammates are awesome for us and we enjoyed cheering for them late in the game. They give their all in practice to make us better,” Weems said.
     Clyman continued, “We are all family. Those on the court towards the end of the game work their butts off in practice. It is cool to see them have success.”
     Slaughter finished, “I am super proud of them. We are not nice to each other in practice. It is in an effort to make us all better. We love each other and watching them (my teammates) grow is fun.”
     Among those smiling from the bench was Draper. Smacking his knee and jovial head nodding were among the dead giveaways demonstrating Draper’s approval of his team’s effort. The maturation of his young varsity basketball team could not come at a better time as February basketball is fast approaching.
     “Our press defense got us off to a good start in getting us some easy baskets and disrupting them (Oak Park). We were able to play at the pace we prefer. The movement of the basketball continues to improve for us as well. It is making our zone offense better,” Draper said.
     “We got some kids in at the end of the game that are good basketball players. That last group played like they need to and had fun doing it. There was a point tonight I looked at the bench behind me and asked if they were alright due to the noise they were making for us on the floor. This team gets it. They have fun being together and it makes my job great.”
     “It is hard to keep Grace (Slaughter) from scoring. I like her mindset. She knew she was going to get going. Some players miss two straight shots, and they stop. Grace went and got some shots close to the basket. That turned around her shot from deep.”
     The Lady Eagles improve to a 9-3 record on the season with the victory. Competition in the Grain Valley Sonic Showdown basketball tournament will continue the week of January 25th.

     The Grain Valley Eagles boys basketball team pulled off a win in dramatic fashion against the Fort Osage Indians on January 22nd by a score of 45-43. Eagle forward Cole Keller would block the final shot of the game as time expired, doing so with four fouls and timing the rejection so that his follow through would not put the shooter on the foul line.
     Joining Keller in late game heroics was Grain Valley guard Owen Herbert. The sophomore sank 2 three pointers late in the game along with making the back end of a two shot trip to the charity stripe to help seal the victory for the Eagles. “Ice Man” was a nickname being bounced around Herbert as he emerged from the visitor’s locker room after the game.
     “I continue to work hard on my shot in getting my timing and rhythm down. I knew someone had to step up and took advantage of the open looks (at the basket). We’ve been working hard in practice on things that will help us win on the court,” Herbert said.
     “I knew after I missed the front end of the two free throws late in the game that I let it go too hard on the first one and that I needed to take a deep breath and regroup. The second one went down. This was a big win for us on the road with our Sonic Showdown coming up.”
     Herbert would finish the contest with 13 points. Keller led all scorers during the game and produced a double-double that consisted of 19 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 4 blocks. At no point during the game did Keller let his foul trouble affect his aggressive play. The senior was not bashful about the mindset leading to his determination.
     “I got frustrated tonight because we’ve been in this situation before multiple times in the past and it has melted in our hands. When we slow down our focus and take it one possession at a time, things go so much better for us like they did in the first half tonight,” Keller said.
     “They (Fort Osage) grabbed the rebound prior to the shot I blocked at the end. Someone needed to step up to make a play and it was my time. I am glad it ended that way.”
     Keller’s frustration stemmed from Grain Valley struggling to keep the fifteen point lead they secured at the end of the first quarter. It was precipitated by the Eagles starting the game on an 11-2 run that forced Fort Osage to burn a timeout at the 3:30 mark of the opening period.
     Senior guard Jayden Yung has transitioned to running the point for the Eagles. Yung’s handling of the basketball and the Eagles push in the transition game accounted for the early scoring that permitted the Grain Valley lead to hold.
     Fort Osage under the direction of head coach Josh Wilson made valuable half time adjustments. The Indians came out of the locker room at the start of the 3rd quarter applying pressure to Yung on the inbound pass and denying outlet passes to the center and corners of the court as Grain Valley worked to defeat the press.
     The Indians also spread the floor during the final two quarters to get open three point looks at the basket. Junior Trent Hogland would reward Wilson’s adjustment by scoring all 14 of his points in the second half, including 4 three pointers.
     The stamina and determination displayed by the Eagles allowed them to turn back the momentum gained by the Indians in the second half. Grain Valley head basketball coach Andy Herbert conducted substitution by possession as the game progressed to keep the best matchup on the floor possible for his team. The reward for Herbert was his team scoring 28 of their 45 overall points in the second half.
     “We had taken turns panicking. Owen (Herbert) was the right guy in the right place and his teammates found him late in the game. It was good for us to win tonight. We needed that,” Herbert said.
     “We warned our guys at halftime that they were going to turn the heat up on us and that they would at some point start making more shots. We rode out their momentum and it was great for the youth of this team to get the victory.”
     Herbert finished, “Jayden (Yung) was tremendous tonight attacking downhill and getting to the basket. That allowed us to be the aggressor. The mindset switched in the second half with us trying to hold on and prevent them from taking the lead. You rely on your seniors to step up and make plays in that moment. Yung has been our ‘X Factor,’ and as he goes, we go. Keller’s block was huge as well.”
     “I am proud of our team. I have taught more in practice this season then I have in ten seasons probably. The hard work put in by this team has led to progress that does not always show up with wins and losses. Our team deserved this win tonight.”

​     Jack Bailey has started along the offensive line for the Grain Valley Eagles football program since he was a sophomore. He earned his stripes in the Suburban Conference with the bumps and bruises that come from being an underclassman starting at the varsity level. The 6’ 2” 260 pound senior has since grown into a confident student athlete that was selected homecoming king by his peers and a 1st Team All-Conference offensive guard by coaches in the Suburban Conference.
     Bailey has recently announced his verbal commitment to continue his career as a student athlete at Quincy University. The private liberal arts university in Quincy, Illinois reported an enrollment of 1,148 students in 2020. As part of the Great Lakes Valley Conference, the Quincy University Hawks compete at the NCAA Division II level.
     Gary Bass is the head football coach at Quincy University and has made it a point to recruit players from the Show-Me State. Bailey will join 39 players who are currently on the Hawks roster from the state of Missouri. All games on the 2020 football schedule were cancelled for Quincy University due to the current pandemic. Bailey is looking forward to what lies ahead for him in the next step of his educational journey.
     “The coaches at Quincy were welcoming and my visit went well there. It was a small school with a big town feel that I liked,” Bailey said.
     “The biggest difference between high school and college football will be that I am living away from home and I don’t have two other sports, basketball or track to play.”
     “I have enjoyed that I already have future teammates reaching out to me and making me feel like part of the family already.”
     Among those that will be missing the contributions made by Bailey on and off the field are his position coaches, Gavin Grillo and Mike Tarrants. Both watched Bailey ascend to being a prominent part of the Eagles 10-2 record this season to coincide with a birth in quarterfinal state playoff round. Tarrants gruff voice could often be heard offering both constructive criticism and praise for Bailey as he worked through hitting the sled, shuffling through the steel chute, or perfecting a hook block against a hand shield during practice.
     “The thing that I am most proud of for Jack is that he is an awesome example of doing things right is always the right thing to do. Jack is a great person, a dedicated student, a hard working athlete, and a role model for others,” Tarrants said.
     “Other than being a terrific athlete, I believe Jack’s greatest attribute is his coachability. He is a true student of the game, who wants to be the best at his craft and can take coaching to learn. As a three-year starter at the right guard position, Jack always wanted to improve his technique, his football IQ, and his knowledge of line play.”
     “Jack is a protector. Jack is a very laid back, caring, kind and loyal person. He has a wonderful personality that shows some of the best qualities of humanity. However, on the football field, Jack assumes the role of protector or guardian. ‘Between the whistles,’ Jack taps into his protector role and is a very physical player.”
     “Someone who knows Jack outside of football would never guess the ability he has to physically dominate an opponent on the field. Jack is one of those players who will lay someone out and without a word, reach down and help them up after the play is over. In addition, Jack is one heck of a crappie fisherman,” Tarrants quipped with a smile.
     Bailey becomes a growing number of his senior class to choose pursuing college football after high school. His leadership and smile will no doubt be missed in the Eagles locker room. Among those to pick up the torch Bailey passes will be Cooper Terry and Connor Heitman. Terry is Bailey’s best friend and started along side him last fall at right tackle. Heitman saw his first taste of varsity football as a sophomore at left tackle this season.