The Grain Valley Lady Eagles basketball team (7-3) wrapped up a busy week with a 63-43 win over the Grandview Bulldogs on January 15th. The Lady Eagles reeled off three straight wins during the 34th Annual Pleasant Hill Basketball Tournament, permitting them to hoist the first place plaque. The Grain Valley girls had previously been tournament champions in 2009, 2011, 2015, and 2016.
     The victory was impressive for Grain Valley in several facets. First, it took the Lady Eagles overtime last February to beat the Bulldogs, who are led by junior point guard Cierra Smith. Grain Valley struggled at home to contain Smith during that matchup as she racked up 41 points. Grain Valley Lady Eagles head basketball coach Randy Draper diligently prepared his team for the heavy pick and roll offense that Grandview likes to use with Smith.
     Draper’s squad consistently came under the screen set at the top of the key to stay centered in front of Smith. Hustle continued as the Lady Eagles denied the passing lanes to the wing once Smith moved past the pick. The strong containment effort by Grain Valley held Smith to 18 points in the contest.
     Next, was the determination displayed by Grain Valley from the opening tipoff. The Lady Eagles jumped out to an 11-0 lead by pushing the ball in transition, moving unselfishly without the basketball, securing rebound positioning through boxing out (leading to 34 total team rebounds), and avoiding turnovers. Those ingredients forced Grandview to burn an early timeout and regroup. It was a deficit that the Bulldogs could not overcome as the game unfolded.
     Finally, the Lady Eagles continue to mature against man and zone defenses when on offense under the direction of Draper. Grain Valley has become adept at running “overload” offensive sets that create mismatches against defenses. Furthermore, attacking zone defenses through centering a player at the elbow on the key has become a hallmark of Draper’s. Passing the basketball to that player settling in open space at the elbow collapses the zone before that player sends the basketball back out the wing or to a cutting scorer if no opportunity exists at the elbow.
     Freshman Emma Jane Ogle has displayed good decision making at the elbow against zone defenses for the Lady Eagles. Ogle’s 7 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal against Grandview speak strongly to her growth. The only thing as big as Ogle’s smile after the win was the purple welt on her leg.
     “Coach Draper pushes us to be aggressive and that keeps us from thinking too much. We are reminded by him that basketball is not Algebra,” Ogle said.
     “Tonight, was so much fun. This is a memory I will probably never forget. I am excited to keep going and see where this team ends up. The freshman on this team have been welcomed and it feels like a family environment.”
     Lady Eagles point guard Grace Slaughter led all scorers with 38 points in the contest. Slaughter continues to show a scoring pension as a triple threat through driving the lane, shooting accurately from behind the arc, and pulling up in the lane to drain a basket if given space.  The sophomore would also add 8 rebounds and 2 steals to her stat line in a stellar effort.
     “Our floor spacing against zone defenses continues to yield us points in the paint and on the wing. Our rebounding on defense and outlet passes definitely sparked our success in transition,” Slaughter said.
     “The IQ of the basketball team continues to grow. These freshmen have played basketball all their lives, just like me. Seeing them mature at the varsity level has been exciting. I am happy for our seniors to be tournament champions, especially against a talented team like Grandview.”
     Tenacity is required to secure defensive rebound positioning in the paint. To find the nearest opponent and pin your backside against them so that they cannot get to the basketball first takes as much determination as it does strength. Grain Valley senior forward Gabbi Keim continues to be a stalwart under the basket for her team. Keim would score 9 points and pull down 12 boards to go with her 2 assists in an effort just one point shy of a double-double. The senior would add 3 personal fouls for good measure in not allowing the opposition easy looks in the post.
     “I hear ‘block out’ during practice, I hear it during the game, we drill it to the point it is second nature to us during a game. It is definitely engrained in my brain,” Keim said.
     “I have not done this before (winning this tournament), being new to the team. To have this experience with this group of girls is awesome.”
     Draper admitted that he had a list of concerns prior to the matchup against Grandview. Rebounding and containing the scoring of Smith was among them. Draper was quick to share with his team that their reward for managing both would be their team being printed on the back of the program as tournament champions moving forward.
     “Our attention to detail tonight was so good. The gap from us not having a summer (due to the pandemic) to work as a team is closing right now. Playing was the only way to fine tune our lineups. Winning sticks with you,” Draper said.
     “Ogle’s athleticism, Slaughter’s scoring, and Keim’s rebounding were special. Ogle relaxed and let her talent take over tonight. Keim was a force in the paint as well.”
     

     Being a college freshman on a new campus can be full of trepidation. A typical eighteen or nineteen year old may ask themselves, “How will I react being away from home?” or “Will I meet people that can become my friends?” And do not forget “Will the cafeteria food be good, and will I excel academically at this level?”
     Add to that list the rigors of being a student athlete committed to playing NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) football that will be assimilating to the new culture of a second family. You can see how all this may be a big moment in the life of a young person. Such is the future for Grain Valley High School seniors Donovan McBride and Hunter Newsom.
     McBride has recently announced his verbal commitment to play NCAA Division I football for Murray State University. The school is situated in Murray, Kentucky and nestled in the Southwest corner of the state. The 2020 enrollment listed for the university is 9,569 students and the Murray State Racers are under the direction of Dean Hood, a 30 year veteran of college football.
     McBride is happy with his scholarship offer and pleased with the way that Murray State has stayed in touch with him throughout the recruitment process. The 6’ 4” 270 pound defensive lineman will be playing in the nearly 17,000 seat Roy Stewart Stadium next fall.
     “I had a lot of schools reach out to me during the recruitment process. I chose Murray State because of their consistency. They made it a point to ask how my family was doing, to check with me to see how my grades were, and how my football season was going on a weekly basis. They no doubt want me to be a part of their program,” McBride said.
     “Obviously, I am little anxious about what is ahead. Some of the guys I will be facing are going to be bigger and stronger initially, and some will have kids for crying out loud.”
     McBride continued, “On the other hand, I am ready to play football again. I miss it. I am looking forward to being a part of a team that have eleven guys on each side of the football ready to get after it.”
     McBride’s unselfishness was on display this fall for the Eagles. Starting along the offensive line as a center and learning the position over the summer paid dividends for Grain Valley head football coach David Allie. McBride would play both ways along the offensive and defensive lines, including both at defensive tackle and defensive end as a member of the Eagles black shirt defense. The Eagles would march on to a 10-2 record that would consist of a share of the Suburban Conference White Division Football Championship.
     “Donovan McBride has meant so much to the team for four years. It seems like yesterday that he was a 7th grader coming to our Youth Camp, impressing the coaches at all positions, not just on the line.  He was such an athletic and hardworking player then; we knew there would be something special for him in his future and for the future of GVHS football. He did not disappoint,” Allie said.
     “He has been a four-year starter and letter-winner for us and brought a level of consistency and accountability to our defensive unit that will be hard to replace.  He brought that same stability to the offensive side during the 2020 season as well, and for a player of his size and strength, it amazed us that he rarely asked to come off the field and sometimes had to be dragged to the sideline to get rest.”
     Allie added, “His numerous All Conference, All District, and All State awards attest to his ability as a player, but that is just part of what made Donovan such a great member of the Eagle Football Family.  Besides his physical prowess and maturity, he has also always been emotionally mature. Of course, kids are kids, and he would sometimes do the silly things that adolescent males do.  But for a great majority of the time, and when our team really needed to look to somebody for leadership and guidance, Donovan was that pillar of confident strength.”
     “We have counted on him for so long he has become a "fixture" on our defense.  I know it will almost feel surreal to step on the field next year and realize that he (and a few of his classmates) are no longer on the team.”
     Number 25 for the Eagles will have a new home as well this fall. Newsom has announced his verbal commitment to the University of South Dakota School of Mines and Technology. The public university is in Rapid City, South Dakota and had a 2020 enrollment of 2,529.
     The Hardrockers play Division II NCAA football and are under the direction of head coach Charlie Flohr. The 6’ 1” 200 pound Newsom double dipped both as a linebacker and running back for the Eagles this football season. Newsom’s enthusiasm for tackling and his ability to avoid blockers will be on display northwest of Grain Valley in 2021.
     Newsom was frequently a captain for the Eagles during the pregame coin toss. A mantle of leadership earned and well deserved by Newsom. One that Allie is proud to have coached and will miss next season as new leaders emerge in the Eagles program.
     “Hunter Newsom is one of the finest leaders we have ever had at GVHS.  One true mark of a leader is that they use every resource available to improve themselves.  Hunter was blessed to have two really good leaders (Kole Wagener and Seth Dankenbring) precede him at Inside Linebacker, and he took their examples and improved on them,” Allie said.
     “He was also very coachable, willing to take constructive criticism and work on the little things that his coaches, and that he himself, saw that needed to be improved. In addition to his adaptability, he was also relentless on the field and in the weight room. He is a prime example of why wrestlers make great football players and vice versa – the only way to make him quit attacking is to carry him off on a stretcher.”
     “His internal drive to succeed made him a great linebacker and running back for us and such hard-nosed play inspired his teammates and helped him become one of the most award-winning players in GVHS history. His selection as First Team Coaches and Media All-State, three different recognitions for Defensive Player of the Year, the All-Simone Team, our team's Napier Award (a legacy award given to the most outstanding Eagle football player), and a handful of other awards are tribute to how good of a player he was.”
     Allie concluded, “However, I have a feeling that to him, the most meaningful award he won as an Eagle football player was being elected team captain.  His resilience and perseverance showed in the classroom as well, being recognized three times as part of the Academic All-State Team.  But if you ask the best thing about him, no matter whether he was excelling on the field and in the classroom or if he was suffering under a pile of weights or running sprints, he always had a smile on his face and was happy just to have an opportunity to be there.”
     Both McBride and Newsom have committed to continue as student athletes at the post-secondary level. The Eagles are likely to have other seniors who will be blessed to receive scholarship offers and make announcements in the coming days and weeks. No doubt a sign of hard work and commitment.
     “It definitely fills us with pride to see a player who has toiled and sweated for four years be able to reap the rewards of his hard work and effort on the field and in the classroom,” Allie said.
     “To me, football is the greatest sport in the world, but most of us are only able to play it competitively for a short time. Any chance that a person can get to continue playing this ultimate-of-sports is cause for celebration. Unfortunately, the truth is even fewer will be lucky enough to play this (or any) sport professionally, so they will have to prepare for a career outside of the game.”
     “That is the true reason to celebrate these young men getting the opportunity to continue playing; it means they are getting a chance to go to school to receive training for their future career.  When you add the multiplying effect of being exposed to even more lessons from the great game itself, networking with more friends and acquaintances while in college, and simply growing and maturing into adulthood, the opportunity for a scholarship to play a sport becomes one of the most valuable things a person could ever receive.”
 

     Three distinct things garner your attention upon entering the Grain Valley Eagles wrestling building behind the high school: a sign taped to the door requesting that a mask is worn upon entering the facility, a large cutout of an Eagle in a wrestling singlet, and the ritual of spike ball being played by those who get to practice early.
     For those of a certain age or unfamiliar with spike ball, think of an equivalent of four square being played by contestants as they spike a ball into a small trampoline net. The benefits of the game become easily apparent with the agility and quickness required by participants, not to mention the laughter and smiles that accompany the competition. Such is the design of Eagles head wrestling coach Jeff Bowman who is in his second year at the helm.
     Bowman is notably proud of his team, including freshman Sevi Aumua. The 151 pound weight class grappler loves wrestling for the competition it brings, the camaraderie from being around her teammates and coaches, and the confidence gained from learning self-defense.
     Aumua’s entry to practice coincides with that of her quiet and unassuming nature. Her male teammates are quick to say “Hi” and share the latest funny Tik Tok video or Snapchat from a group of friends.
     Aumua got started in wrestling through attending the meets and practices of her younger brother. Her parents noticed how Aumua paid keen attention to what was happening and encouraged her to consider taking up the sport. From her first club practice, Aumua was hooked and has continued wrestling at the high school level.
     “I feel like there are people who think that girls can’t wrestle. I have met that criticism, and I would like that myth destroyed. I am a competitive person that likes winning. The joy you get from a win brings enjoyment to the whole team. It is an accomplishment past you,” Aumua said.
     “I like going to the weight room in the summer to get stronger. I stay busy with schoolwork and playing multiple sports. I play football in the fall and soccer in the spring as well.”
     Aumua’s competitive streak was also apparent for the Eagles this fall. Aumua could be identified more by her long black braided hair coming out of the back of her helmet instead of shying away from contact at the line of scrimmage. Evidence of this could be heard as much as seen from the “popping” sound that would come from Aumua pulling from the offensive guard position and kicking out the edge defender on the Eagles “down” or off-tackle trap running play.
     When Aumua does find time to relax, she enjoys nature walks and writing poetry. Counting how many animals she can hear or see on a jaunt to unwind is equally matched by creating rhymes that demonstrate expression.
     “My long term goals include figuring out what college to attend. I am focused on wrestling and hope it can bring me a scholarship in the future. I am just a freshman, but I look forward to my future.”
 
​

     The Grain Valley Lady Eagles basketball team opened the Pleasant Hill Basketball Tournament with a win over the Pembroke Hill Raiders, 71-44 on January 11th. The Lady Eagles opened the game with full court pressure that led to turnovers and transition scoring opportunities for Grain Valley. The result was an 18-3 first quarter lead for the Lady Eagles that they continued to build on as the game progressed.
     Sound floor spacing, movement without the basketball, decisive passing, and avoiding turnovers permitted the Lady Eagles to top the 70 point plateau. Furthermore, the Lady Eagles continue to grow in their ability to find open looks at the basket by being disciplined offensively. This feat is significant as seven Grain Valley freshmen and sophomores saw significant playing time on the court during the contest.
     Grain Valley sophomore point guard Grace Slaughter led all scorers with 35 points, to which she added 4 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 steal. A strong supporting cast around Slaughter included fellow sophomore Ella Clyman and freshman McKenah Sears. Clyman would add 9 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 steal. Sears would have one of her strongest outings during her young varsity career. The freshman’s stat line included 5 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block.
     “We came out ‘boom’ ready to play, and wanted to attack being on who we were to defend. We have worked a lot in practice on full court press and denying passing lanes when applying pressure,” Slaughter said.
     “Ball movement tonight was big in us getting the looks we did (at the basket). I am proud of my team and how we played.”
     Clyman added, “My hustle tonight was the contribution I made to our win. Boxing out led us to be good on the boards. Our intensity and willingness to work as a team was fun to watch.”
     Sears concluded, “My faith in the Lord has led to the growth in my abilities. My teammates supporting me has been huge as well. They are always there for me. I am learning that when I drive (to the basket) there will be people open like Grace and Ella. Coach (Randy) Draper puts us in the correct spot as well.”
     Lady Eagles head basketball coach Randy Draper was satisfied with how his team performed as the second seed in the tournament against the seventh seed Raiders. Draper acknowledged that the youth of his team contributes in different ways with the bottom line being that they are connected by being basketball players who enjoy the game.
     “The press we started the game with tonight was predetermined, but it’s something that I like to do anyway. The mindset of it pushes our team to be engaged and on point from the outset,” Draper said.
     “The growth and belief in themselves that the youth of this team is displaying is special. Our hope has always been that we would keep marching and that everyone would move forward. Tonight, was a good gauge that members of this team are making big steps (of progress), and they will need to continue as our competition ahead will be tough.”
     Draper added, “Grace is hard to guard, because of the dilemma of who do you guard her with. She can post, drive, and pull up from long and intermediate ranges. She is not fun to guard. Our offense continues to grow in that we are not playing to her (Slaughter), instead we are playing through her. There’s a difference, and if we continue to do that, things will continue to be good for us.”
     The Lady Eagles improve to 5-3 on the season with their win. The Pleasant Hill Basketball Tournament continues with the consolation game on January 14th and the Championship game on January 15.
 

The Board of Aldermen met virtually January 11th, beginning the new year by approving a series of resolutions and ordinances.
     The board approved resolutions to continue an agreement with Mid-America Regional Council (MARC) to allow residents to participate in the 2021 regional household hazardous waste collection program, and an agreement with Jackson County for stormwater project funding. The board also approved an agreement with Ron’s Auto & Truck Towing LLC to provide towing services from January 2021 until January 2024.
     The continuation of an agreement with Grain Valley Schools, outlining expectations and responsibilities of School Resource Officers was approved unanimously. Grain Valley Schools provides funding for one of the SRO positions and portions of two other positions.
     The board approved the continuation of OATS transportation services for seniors and disabled residents. OATS Inc. manages scheduling for the program, which provides transportation to medical appointments and other errands at the cost of $1/per way.
     The third of three annual payments to the Grain Valley Partnership was approved, and the board granted approval for 400 water meters to be purchased as a part of the City’s ongoing meter replacement program.
     Police Chief Beale reported the department has hired one officer and is looking to add three more officers and fill a police clerk position in the near future. 
     During Mayor and Aldermen comments, Mayor Johnston and Alderman Stratton both praised City crews for their work in clearing roads during the most recent snow event.
     The Board will meet virtually on Monday, January 25th at 7:00pm.
 

     The Planning & Zoning Commission met via videoconference on January 13th, approving several action items, including a proposed site plan for a Panda Express drive-thru restaurant. The proposed restaurant will be located on the northeast corner of the Interstate 70 westbound exit ramp and Buckner Tarsney Road. Restaurant representatives on the call stated a late summer opening date is planned for the 70 seat restaurant.                 
     The commission also approved a one-year conditional use permit for Kustom Cruzers and an amendment to an approved conditional use permit for Eagle Convenient Storage, following a lengthy public hearing for both issues.
     With two current commission officers absent, the commission voted to table the election of officers for 2021 until the next meeting.
     The commission also reviewed accomplishments in 2020, noting an increase in single-family residential permits. The City approved 162 permits in 2020, up from 149 in 2019.
     The next scheduled meeting of the Planning & Zoning Commission will be held February 10, 2021 at 6:30pm.
 

​     Jackson County issued a new health order on January 13th, amending dining restrictions for bars and restaurants.
     Under the new health order, Jackson County bars and restaurants will be allowed to serve food and alcohol until midnight with a hard exit for all patrons at 12:30am. All other provisions related to indoor dining remain in effect. 
     The new order takes effect at 12:01 am Thursday, January 14, 2021 and does not apply to businesses in the cities of Kansas City, Missouri or Independence.
     The new health order relaxes guidance from a previous order issued in November 2020 that required bars and restaurants to close at 10:00 p.m. due to a resurgence of COVID-19 cases in Jackson County.
“Let me be clear – our situation has not improved over the past two months. COVID-19 cases are up, our 14-day percent positive remains high as well as hospital capacity,” Jackson County Executive Frank White, Jr. said.
     “However, to remain consistent with neighboring jurisdictions, lessen confusion among residents and create fairness for Eastern Jackson County businesses, we have decided to move forward in this manner. It is still dangerous to gather in large groups, so I urge residents to remain vigilant in their efforts to prevent the spread of the virus.”
Residents and businesses with questions about the new health order should contact the Jackson County Health Department by phone at (816) 404-9883 or via email at  COVID19@tmcmed.org.
 

​      With many traditional events celebrating Martin Luther King, Jr. Day canceled due to COVID-19, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference’s (SCLC) annual event will continue virtually.
      SCLC’s celebration on Monday, January 18th, will be available virtually via Zoom at no cost. The event, “Good Trouble at the Ballot Box: The Resilience of Black Voting Power”, will include a panel discussion led by U.S. Congressman Emanuel Cleaver II, D-MO, and featuring Congresswoman Rashida Talib, Detroit; Congressman Hank Johnson, Atlanta; and
Congressman Dwight Evans, Philadelphia.
     To register for the free Zoom event, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sclc-greater-kc-2021-dr-king-jr-virtual-celebration-tickets-134928381421
 
 

​     Often genealogy searches lead me to a dead end because of my inability to verify a person’s name. In a large family several off-spring might name their children after a parent or grandparent, leaving me no precise answers.
     This frustration led to my investing in another online program,  Newspapers.com. It not only helps me find wedding announcements and obituaries, with family names and dates, but I can also look up pioneer newspapers. 
     In researching old newspapers with news of Grain Valley, one can begin with The Kansas City Times and Star, circa 1880,  The Buckner Star, circa 1890s, The Buckner Tribune, circa 1897, The Jackson County Examiner, circa 1898, or The Examiner, circa 1898, which became The Independence Examiner in 1905.
     I find the articles to be most informative and fascinating like this news item that appeared in “Missouri Notes” in The Kansas City Star on January 17, 1905.  It read “Grain Valley people must get noisy very easily. The Grain Valley correspondent of The Sni-A-Bar Voice says: Everybody is loud in their praise of the new gasoline lamp which the ladies bought for the church.” 
     Okay, so it is not the most earthshattering news.
     When I put The Sni-A-Bar Voice into the search line, I came up with the following information. The first issue of The Voice (serving Sni-A-Bar Township) was published by David C. Herrington (my great, great uncle) in Blue Springs, MO, in July, 1901. 
      It also gave me 1,283 hits with the word Sni-A-Bar. While I have only gotten through about half of them, I want to share one I found to be quite amusing. It appeared in December, 1914.
 
Missouri Man Tells of the Most Remarkable Results of His Printing
It pays to advertise.
      “We are doing a superfine line of advertising in our office just now,” says the Sni-A-Bar Voice, “and our sale bills are the talk of the county. Week before last we got out an order of bills for a farmer north of town and they were so attractive and nifty that he couldn’t begin to take care of the crowds that flocked to the sale.
     After getting top price for every animal, implement and article on the bill the auctioneer simply couldn’t stop. The people just clamored for more.
The farmer, in the hopes of driving them away, put up his mother-in-law. She brought $160 on the hoof. Then he offered his mortgage for sale.
     A lifelong friendship between two old neighbors was shattered as each tried to outbid the other. It was finally knocked down to the richest man, who was promptly knocked down by the poorer.
     He sold the weeds along the roadside. He sold a gold brick that he bought in Chicago at the World’s Fair. He sold the ruts in the road in front of his place and then offered to sell the secret of where he had the sale bills printed. We cannot give the results as the returns are not all in. They are bidding yet. That’s the kind of sale bills we print.” – Sni-A-Bar Voice.
 
     This “advertisement” drew the attention of newspapers throughout the Midwest.  As I stated, I’ve only perused about half of the over twelve hundred hits for Sni-A-Bar, but I found the story reprinted in The Kansas City Times, The Sedan Times Star (Sedan, Kansas), The Shreveport Times (Shreveport, Louisiana), The Overbrook Citizen (Overbrook, Kansas), The New Era (Davenport, Oklahoma), Indiana Gazette (Indiana, Pennsylvania), and The Sun (Glasco, Kansas) to name a few.  I don’t know how much business they received from their ad, but they certainly got attention.
 
     Over the new few weeks, I hope to find more stories to share from the newspapers that have served Grain Valley over the past century.
 
Visit the Grain Valley Historical Society at 506 S. Main on Wednesdays or visit us online at ww.grainvalleyhistory.com and Facebook (@grainvalleyhistory).
 

     The "Missouri Waltz", became the  state song of Missouri under an act adopted by the General Assembly on June 30, 1949. Lee Edgar Settle, a well known ragtime piano player wrote and played, The Graveyard Waltz, which was the actual melody for the "Missouri Waltz" was first published in 1914. 
     Sales increased substantially after Missourian Harry S. Truman became president, and it was reported that the "Missouri Waltz" was his favorite song. Although, when asked about his feelings the following reply was published by the White House: 
     "President's attitude towards the song? He can take it or leave it. Is it really his favorite? No. Does he play it often? No. Is Margaret ever heard singing it? No. What is the President's reaction to the song's adoption as the Missouri as state song? See answer to first question."
     The song is played by the University of Missouri's Marching Mizzou at every home football game to a unique marching style in 3/4 time.