​Bollinger, Marcum help provide additional scoring punch in rout over Barstow

by Michael Smith


The Grain Valley girls basketball team has multiple players who can score in double figures on any given night.

Players like senior Camryn Kelly and juniors Addy Seyfert, Aspen Reed, and sophomore Madison Rust are players who have had multiple double digits scoring games during the season.

Having that many players who can score makes it difficult for opposing teams to defend the Eagles. But what happens when others join the scoring party.

That’s what happened in Grain Valley’s first-round game against Barstow in the first round of The Grain Valley Eagles Sonic Showdown Tournament Monday at home.

Sophomore Bella Bollinger, who is not someone who typically takes a lot of shots scored 11 points and sophomore Melanie Marcum, who also isn’t a volume shooter, scored seven to help the Eagles blow out Knights 71-34.

Seyfert led Grain Valley with 21 points, which included four 3-pointers. She is a three-level scorer who draws extra attention from opposing defenses. She still scored a lot despite Barstow focusing on stopping her, that opened others like Bollinger and Marcum.

“We were moving the ball really well tonight, so I think a lot of us got opportunities to score,” Bollinger said.
Bollinger earned a spot in the starting lineup because of the dirty work she does on the court like playing solid, aggressive defense and crashing the glass.

“I try to get as many steals and rebounds as I can,” Bollinger said. “I just focus on doing some things so we can just … win.”

Draper noted that Bollinger’s primary role is not to score, but she can when needed or when she’s left open.
“She just picked her spots,” Grain Valley head coach Randy Draper said. “They really loaded up to keep Addy from shooting it. We want to use what you give us. Bella can shoot the ball, so we’ll be happy if that’s what you want to give us.

“The big thing we saw over the summer that got her a job was that she was on the glass. We are not tall, so we need help rebounding. We need Bella there. She will continue to score more, and she takes care of the ball. Her shot is a bonus for us.”

Marcum has been a valuable contributor off the bench for the Eagles as she serves as a backup point guard and is a playmaker and facilitator. On Monday, she got her shots in, as well, scoring all seven of her points in the first half.

“I have always been able to shoot a little bit but my role on the team is to get passes to better shooters,” Marcum said. “When I can take the opportunity to score, I will.”

Draper said Marcum also provides value on the court when it comes to running the fast break.

“She helps our pace,” Draper said. “When she gets in the game, our pace picks up.”

​Rust added 14 points for the Eagles to help them improve to 14-1.

Sophomores Melanie Marcum, left and Bella Bollinger combined for 18 points to give Grain Valley an offensive boost in a 71-34 blowout of Barstow Monday in the first round of the Grain Valley Invitational. Photo credit: Michael Smith​