The 2025 Grain Valley High School senior class will graduate Monday evening at Cable Dahmer Arena in Independence, Missouri. The graduation begins at 7:00pm and may be viewed online at https://www.youtube.com/live/vYBIIUAPGWA. 

Congratulations to the Class of 2025!
Jackson David Adams
Braydon Patrick Aggeler
Hayden Michael Albin
Kimberly  Alcantara Perez
Raya Iyod Alkhatib
Jack Thomas Allen
Leah Rose Allen
Laken Renee Alley
Chase Bryant Anderson
Alyssa Neveah Arndorfer
Kennady Raine Arndt
Mason William Maxwell Arni
Logan Lee Arp
Olivia Paige Arreguin
Makenzie Keikilani Lokahi Arrington
Marissa Lynn Bagby
Darah Tieisha-Nicole Baker
Mya Jade Baker
Chris Lee Barham
Gavin Chase Barker
Avery Elizabeth Barncord
Catherine Anne Barnes
Landon James Barnes
Aaron Landan Barr
Johnpaul Sandoval Barraza
Ileynia Nicole Ann Beard
Naiya Lee Beck
Isabella Marie Becker
Willow Rhea Bernard
Joshua Christos Berry
Mason Jax Bertrand
Max Jamie Bertrand
Husam Tauqeed Bhatti
Jackson William Bieri
Hollie Rachel Blake
Faith Vishakha Bledsoe
Hunter Barrett Bly
Brooklyn Marie Boley
Christopher Scott Bonnel
Elexis Denise Bouldin
Brady Jackson Bown
Viviana Marie Bozich
Jackson Tanner Branson
Braden Kyle Braun
Paige Jacklyn Brill
Adilynn Jolea Brooner
Nevaeh Marie Brown
Taleah Renee Brown
Kenny Dong Bui
Cash Thomas Bulloc
Keyonna Latrice Bullock
Charger Aaron Bundridge
Noah Warren Campbell
Jared Ernesto Caraveo
Ethen James Carlton
Alyssa Paige Carver
John Warren Cassidy
Angelo Santana Castilleja
Owen Maddox Chambers
Riley Daniel Champ
Amanda Marie Chaney
Annabelle Kate Chevalier
Brennen Thomas Chidester
Victoria Elizabeth Chitwood
Nevaeh Lynn Clausen
Mia Elizabeth Cole
Caleb Matthew Collins
Evan Carter Colson
Trace Kenneth Compton
Brylie Amani Cook
Trystyn Eryn Cooper
Jocelynn Andrea Cortez
Zachary Daniel Cota
Daniel Lawrence Coughtry
Kein Whispern Crain
Kaden Riley Crandall
Mallory Lynn Crane
Logan Hue James Crook
Jackson Robert Michael Crosley
Melynda Jean Cross
Ty Lewis Culp
Sturgis William Cumberford IV
Mason Lane Cygan
Josie Lynne Daniels
Mattie Lynn Daniels
Bradley Steven Darling
Aedan Thomas Davila
Levi Vilroy Davis
MacKenzie Ashlynn Davis
Rowdy Alan Davis
Adalia Grace Del Real
Devon Tyler DeMink
Andrew Lewis DeMonbrun
Clara Marie DeMoro
Daniel Calvin Dent
Joseph Anthony Dicarlo
George Matthew Dickensheets
Matthew Roger Ditzler
Bailey Rose Dougan
Emma Leann Downs
Maddox Dean Dresslaer
Gwendolyn Denise Duckett
Phoebe Cate Duplantis
Jackson Kennedy Lee Easum
Mayla Hope Eldridge
Dylan Lane Elliott
Kaydence Elise Emry
Mason Gabriel Enlow
Cody Ellis Farnsworth
Ava LeeAnn Ferguson
Kaden Noah Ferman
Adan  Ferrer
Hudson Hugh Flowers
Aidan John Foley
Drake Jameson Ford
Broden John Frederick
Alexander Scott Fuhrman
Jordan Michael Fuller
Kayla Marie Gallagher
Blake Matthew Galvan
Kira Delaney Geib
Addison Lucile George
Ally Jo Gilbert
George Coen Gille
Jonathan Manuel Gonzalez
Alebrick Eugene Goodrich
Korbyn Cyrus Goodwin
Marli Jean Gorbet
Tre Jean Gorham
Jordan Mari Gossage
Justice Louise Goulden
Amyah Marie Graybill
Logan Hunter Greco
Emma Catherine Greene
Landry Jean Groes
Emerson Irene Guthrie
Mackenzie Rose Haase
Madison Jo Haislip
Salomé Eve Haley
Abigail Virginia Hampton
Lillian Elizabeth Haney
Carter Wade Harmsen
Taylor Marie Harp
Damian Joseph Harris
Jaliyah Le'Shaye Harris
Pyper Lily Hartigan
Kelsey Emmaline Harvey
Kirsten Bailey Haskins
Katie Mae Hattey
Italia Paige Haywood
Robert Caden Hayworth
Bailey Leigh Hendrickson
Brithany Gissell Herrera Perdomo
Samantha Elizabeth Hight
Mason Isaiah Hill
Rylee Hannah Belle Hinchey
Simon Taylor Horton
Chloe Elina Houg
Matthew Ryan Howell
Tucker Lee Hughes
Colton Scott Hursh
Toby Christian Inman
Maximilian Michael Johnson
Adrian Michael Johnston
Jordin Faith Johnston
Roman Daniel Juba
Aidan James Kalthoff
Asa Jeremiah Keim
Camryn Paige Kelly
Reese Elizabeth Kenyon
Canvas Joy Kephart
Olivia Perrin Kerr
Joshua Aidan Kester
Milee Grace Keys
Ta'Ron Tamar King
Reese Ann Knox
Tyler Austin Krueger
Ava Grace Kusick
Owen Ryan Landero
Makynzye Nikole Lank
Maddalynn Louise Lawson
Megan Audrey Legate
Dennis Patrick Leonard III
Brennan Roman Lipowicz
Brooke Madison Lockwood
Isabel Grace Lopez
Brianna Sophia Lukens
Alexander  Luna
Jack Carl Lundberg
MaKenzie Ann Maggio
Elizabeth Mae Malicoat
Jenna Leigh Manning
Cuyler Dean Marler
Madison Dawn Martinez
Bailey Lyndsey Mason
Taelor Marie Mason
Hayley Elizabeth Maybell
Johnathan Ronald Mayernik
Eric Scott McColgin Jr.
Cara Grace McHardie
Gabriel Antonio Meier
Michael Andrew Melching
Jennifer Leigh Melton
Tyler Benjamin Melton
Isaiah Nicholas Tuala Menzsa
Christopher Robert Meredith
Addison Linn Miller
Brody Anderson Miller
Jack Winston Miller
Eli John Monrian
Alexis Marie Moore
Jacob Mitchel Moore
Makenna Mae Lulivee Moore
Matthew Bailey Morgan
Oscar Vaughn Morgan
Kyleigh Ann Morris
Suraya  Muhammadi
Makenna Marie Mullen
Allison Grace Muller
Emily Carol Muller
Addison Margaret Sue Myers
Nevaeh Tnes Myers
Myah Lee Myrick
Braden James Nati
Reese Lee Naudet
Steven Eugene Nelson Jr.
Carson Michael Newsom
Adyson Mae Nichols
Raven  Nickason
Bria Fontanos Omambac
Alexander Ryan Osborn
Makayla Ann Otto
Benjamin Aggeler Page
Robert N.T. Palmer Jr
Kierstin Makenzie Parker
Colston Mario Parks
Lexie Carmen Pasley
Evan Michael Patrick
Micah Lael Pearson
Ostin Andre Perkins
Chloe Elizabeth Perry
Sabrina Marie Perry
Douglas Raymond Peters
Isaac James Pittman
Lauren Cameron Pittsenbarger
Matiece De'Anthony Poke
Addison Elizabeth Powell
Megan Kathleen Prestia
Maddison Mikaela Priem
Blayden Lee Pruett
Jillian Reagan Quick
Hillary K.Ellen Rennells
Amelia Skye Reynolds
Allison Nicole Richardson
Marisa Leann Riggle
Joseph Cooper Ripley
Micah Joseph Roach
Kenzley Jaida Jane Roark
David Devell Roberson Jr
Trenton Andrew Rock
Rylie Olivia Rogers
Ryan Joseph Rohr
Sarah Ezabella Ruiz
Isabelle Rae Salsman
Kane Alexander Santana
Remington Allen Schieber
Ryan Exzavier Schmalzbach
Nathan Glenn Schmidt
Akira Lee Schwinefus
Lillian Grace Sharp
Robert John Sheldon III
Carson Paul Shellito
Jaeda Cherice Simpson
Theodore Allen Simpson
Trenton Lee Sinn
Brady James Smith
Maxwell Scott Snyder
Brooklyn Reese Spencer
Kylie Ann Steele
Isabelle Marie Steward
Vanessa Nichole Stitt
Holden Reid Stoerner
Sierra Alana Stone
Elizabeth Leann Storck
Alison Mae Temples
Shawn Andrew Thomas
Chloe Lynn Thompson
Yvette  Torres Osuna
Nicholas Keith Turney
Alayna Irene Power Tuttle
Alexander James Tuttle
Jeralyn Joy Twiehaus
Ayannah Amor Vaughn
Ryan Edward Venable
Riley Michelle Wade
Kylee Nicole Waggerman
Caiden Ryan Waite
Cyrus Alan Wampler
Gavin Ellis Wardrip
Emma Christine Ware
Brayden Cliff Warren
Tavian Randall Watson
Isabella Lee Webster
Megan Jeanne Weidt
Harrison Kenneth Ronsley Wells
Alainah May Whitehead
Melaina Nicole Wilcox
Aidan Christopher Wilson
Jason JiaJia Wilson
Isaiah Gabriel Winston
Hope Marie Wise
Emory Paige Wolfe
Lukas Steven Wolff
Aiden Robert Woodrome
Garrett Lee Wright
Evie Claire Wyatt
Nathan Corey Zades

The following students from Sni Valley Academy received their diplomas in a graduation ceremony held at Grain Valley High School last week:

2025 Sni Valley Academy Graduates:
​Jaylynn Brooke Adams
Cadence May Allen
Emily Jo Azam
Anthony Duane Bergeron
La'mya Nicole Boldridge
Ema-Lou  Nerkeliunas
Shaynna Lynn Marie Brooker
Gracelyn Jean-Irene Buxton
Evermon Frederick Cage
Tyrin Avant Ziair Carrillo
Hailey Jolene Diggs
Christopher Mason Dinwiddie
Hunter Raymond Francis
Eva Nicole Hall
Preston Scott Hobart
Zander Zebulon Holmes
Zayda Angeline Holmes
Gabriel Cole Kraemer
Sola Donya Law
Mackenzy Ann Mace
John Taylor Marlow
Brian Michael Martin II
Haley Elizabeth Nicholson
Allyson Marie Otto
Kendall Roxanne Paschal
Kyle Joshua Pemberton-Wells
Austin Daniel Perkins
Joyce Louise Perry
Cheyenne Star Iris Reed
Brayden William Rold
Dennie Randall Salsbury
Marlo Elaine Soldi
Isabella Faye Strup

by Michael Smith


It appeared the Grain Valley girls soccer team’s chances of winning a Suburban White Conference title were slipping away.

With a win, Grain Valley would clinch at least a share of the conference title with Platte County, who also had a 12-1 record coming into Thursday.

The Eagles were in a battle with Truman, who held a 2-1 lead going into the final 30 minutes of the game. Up until that point, Grain Valley had several opportunities to score but shots were going over or wide of the Truman goal.

It desperately needed a goal. Senior Mia Cole stepped up to provide it. A long throw in from junior Radleigh Childers bounced a couple of times and ended up in front of the Truman net. The ball bounced high enough for Cole to knock in a header with 14 minutes and 30 seconds left to tie the game.

That jump started a scoring spurt of three goals for the Eagles as they overcame a deficit to win 4-2 at Moody Murray Memorial Field and clinched a share of the conference title.

“That was huge because we were in a rut,” Grain Valley head coach Brett Lewis said of Cole’s goal. “Everything was going over, at the keeper or wide. We were allergic to the goal today.”

Cole credited Childers for the opportunity at the goal. The junior specializes the long throw ins in the attacking third of the field.

“Rad had a great throw in,” Cole said. “She has had a ton of those this year. We knew we had to score. It wasn’t only to win conference, but it was also Senior Night. We needed to boost out confidence before districts.”

Childers scored the go-ahead goal with 8:24 remaining as a direct free kick from senior Ally Gilbert hit off the chest of Truman goalkeeper Camren Pennington. The ball leaked out to Childers, who had her back to the goal. She turned a fired in a close-range shot to give her team the lead for good at 3-2.

Junior Avery Stumpenhaus added an insurance goal about four minutes later when she received a cross from Childers and she made a tap in near the left side of the net for a two-goal lead.

“She has mostly played defense this year, but there are times I slide her up and she has made things happen,” Lewis said of Stumpenhaus.

Before Grain Valley’s three goals in the final 15 minutes, Truman’s defense made it difficult for Grain Valley to get clean looks inside the 18-yard box. The Patriots packed the middle of the field and focused on stopping Childers, which helped force several missed shots from the Eagles (17-2, 13-1 conference).

The Eagles struck first when Childers received a through ball from Cole and slipped a shot past a challenging Pennington and into the net in the 11th minute for a 1-0 lead.

However, about three minutes later, Truman freshman Kadyn Roady stole the ball from an Eagles’ ball handler and put in a breakaway attempt to tie it at 1-1.

Patriots junior Breia Lowry scored in a similar fashion in the 51st minute when she started a counterattack after stealing the ball and she scored on a breakaway to put Truman ahead 2-1 before Grain Valley started its comeback.

“They played really well today,” Stumpenhaus said of Truman. “We didn’t expect it to be this close. We beat them 8-0 last time, so we thought it would be an easy game. They came out and smacked us in the face.”

The Eagles will now turn their attention to the Class 4 District 6 tournament as they will be the No. 2 seed and will face Blue Springs (3-15) on May 20 at Sedalia Smith-Cotton High School. The Eagles defeated the Wildcats earlier in the season 2-1 after winning a shootout.

​“Blue Springs is the best No. 7 seed in the state,” Lewis said. “It was unfortunate how the seeding worked. We didn’t have a Zoom meeting, we filled out a Google form and voted. I think people looked at their record and thought they weren’t very good but didn’t see the actual results. They only lost by one goal in their losses against really good teams. They’re a good team. We have to be ready to fight and battle.”

by Michael Smith, Grain Valley News


Grain Valley junior John Malicoat had a stiff challenge on his hands.

He was the starting pitcher in Monday’s Suburban White Conference game against Belton, and he matched up with Cooper Shrum, an NCAA Division I commit to the University of Tennessee.

Last time Shrum faced the Eagles, he tossed a complete-game shutout and allowed just three hits and struck out nine. On Monday, there was a scout in attendance at Grain Valley High School to watch Shrum.

Malicoat knew runs would be hard to come by in the matchup, so he brought his A game and allowed just one unearned run on four hits, walked three and struck out six in a complete-game effort, outdueling Shrum in a 2-1 victory.

“He did a great job working ahead,” Grain Valley head coach Brian Driskell said of Malicoat. “He would even tell you where some at bats are he wishes he had back. He allowed his defense to help him out.”

Malicoat stranded six runners and escaped a tough jam in the top of the third inning when the Pirates had runners at third and first base with two outs. Shrum was at the dish and drilled a pitch to center field but it was right at Carson Lundquist for the third out.

He also got some help from catcher Hunter Nally, who threw out two runners at second base trying to steal. Belton’s only run came in the sixth when Connor Gooding lined an RBI single to left, scoring Thomas Abate from second base.

The junior used his slider and curve ball to keep the Pirates off balance and was able to throw his breaking pitches for first-pitch strikes.

“I was feeling it,” Malicoat said. “The breaking pitches felt good in warmups. I was able to throw first-pitch fastballs to the bottom of their lineup. I expanded the zone and got a lot of Ks.”

The Eagles (18-11-1) got both of their runs in the bottom of the third. Freshman Brady Meyer and senior Aaron Barr led off the frame with back-to-back singles and advanced to third and second, respectively, on a sacrifice bunt from junior Carson Lundquist.

Senior Kaden Crandall followed with a safety squeeze bunt that allowed Mayer to score from third and Barr to advance. Barr crossed home on a ground out from junior Logan Bennett. That ended up being all the runs Grain Valley needed as Shrum was dominant, allowing two runs on four hits and he struck out 10 in seven innings.

“We talked a lot about it that we were going to have to win this game 1-0, 2-1 or 3-2,” Driskell said. “We had to find a way to scratch some runs across. They did a good job executing.”

Barr had the most success at the plate as he went 2-for-2 with a run scored. One of his hits was a few feet short of a home run as he doubled to deep left field in the fifth.

“Coach Driskell gave me some crap about it,” Barr said of the double. “He said the ball bounced 40 feet from the wall. I thought I hit it pretty well. I got it off the hands.”
​

by Bill Althaus, Grain Valley News

It took three days to complete Grain Valley High School's baseball game at Fort Osage - but the wait was worth it for the Eagles.

The Tuesday afternoon game was delayed in the bottom of the fifth inning. The Eagles held a 6-4 lead, but the Indians had runners on second and third base with no outs.

The Indians' Nico Burt hit an RBI single and Steven Thomas followed with a two-run double to give Fort Osage a 7-6 lead.

The Eagles did not score in the top of the sixth inning, and it appeared the Indians would blow the game open as Blake Overbeck opened the bottom of the inning with a walk.

That's when Grain Valley coach Brian Driskell called upon reliever Jonah Doering to put out the fire.

The thinking man's reliever walked the first two batters, to load the bases with no outs.

"I had the bases loaded, and the first thing I did was look to see where my infielder's were playing," Doering said. "I saw they were playing in, so I knew if the ball was hit back to me, I had to throw home."

The ball was hit back to the lanky reliever who threw home to force the runner at third.

"We got that first out and I knew Brody (Wilp, the Eagles catcher) would get the runner at first," Doering said. "We were down a run and we didn't want them score again, so that double play was big. But in a way, I was expecting the 1-2-3 double play to happen, so there weren't any surprises."

Doering then got a strikeout to end the inning.

That's when the Eagles bats went to work. Grain Valley scored five runs in the top of the seventh with Brady Meyer, Michael Wilkey, Doering and Wilp driving home runs. The fifth run scored on an Indians error.

"It felt great driving in that run and seeing all the excitement in our dugout," Meyer said. "When we tied the game, we knew we were going to win. We had all the momentum and we were all psyched after Jonah pitched out of that bases-loaded jam and didn't allow a run. This is a big win.

"Fort Osage took the lead, Jonah came in and got the job done in relief and we scored five runs (in the top of the fifth inning).

Wilp turned in another defensive gem in the bottom of the seventh inning when he picked off an Indians base runner at third base.

"He called for an outside fastball," Doering said, "and I was about to call him off, when I noticed the runner at third was taking a big lead. I threw the pitch right where Brody wanted it, and he did the rest."

Wilp said the pitch from Doering played a key role in the pickoff.

"I got the pitch right where I wanted it and I threw the ball to third and we got the out. Everything worked like we wanted it to."

Driskell was pleased after his team improved to 17-10 overall and 7-4 in Suburban White Conference play.

"Jonah pitched out of that bases-loaded jam in the sixth and that got all the guys excited in the dugout," Driskell said. "It was a big comeback win after they took the lead. But once we got the momentum, we weren't going to lose it."
​

by Michael Smith, Grain Valley News
 

The Grain Valley girls soccer team needed one of its best defensive performances of the season.

That’s because the Eagles matched up with Platte County, a Suburban White Conference rival. Grain Valley trailed the Pirates by one game in the conference standings and could put themselves in a tie with them with a win.

Having a strong defense was important for Grain Valley as Platte County came in averaging 4.82 goals per game and had only been shut out once all season.

The Eagles defense, led by goalkeeper Alayna Maybell and center backs Taylor Nicholson and Isabel Lopez, helped shutout the Pirates as they did enough to earn a 1-0 victory Tuesday at Moody Murray Memorial Field, putting themselves in a first-place tie with Platte County in the White Conference standings.

“I definitely feel like we stepped it up a lot,” Maybell said. “We did have some times we had the ball bounce in front of us but we recovered very well. If our midfielders made a mistake, our defenders were there to cover for everyone.”

Grain Valley was tasked with slow down Platte County’s two speedy forwards – seniors Lilly Kytasaari and Rylee Burris. The duo had a pair of golden opportunities in the second half. Kytasaari had a breakaway shot and tried to slip one inside the right post, but Maybell made a diving save. Burris had a breakaway attempt late in the half, but a challenge from Maybell caused the Platte County senior to push the shot just wide left of the goal.

“They have two really potent forwards and we were really focusing on being physical and not giving them time and space,” Grain Valley head girls soccer coach Brett Lewis said. “We did a good job of that. We limited their opportunities. The times we got close was self-inflicted mistakes on our end like letting the ball bounce over our head.”

Sophomore Josie Larry put in the lone goal for Grain Valley (14-2, 10-1 conference). In the 27th minutes, junior Radleigh Childers through the ball in near the 18-yard box. Senior Mia Cole tapped the ball toward Larry, and she blasted the ball inside the left post.

It was a much needed goal for Larry who had been on a scoring drought.

“It was really big,” Larry said. “I was really down on myself because I felt like I hadn’t stepped up like I did in the Platte County Tournament and against Truman earlier in the year. This was a confidence boost to help my team get a win.”

Added Lewis: “Josie hadn’t scored in a while, but she’s had opportunities. She’s been a little down on herself. We just wanted to let her know she has been making an impact on the game. That was a really good moment for her.”
​

by Michael Smith, Grain Valley News


The Grain Valley boys tennis team put a scare into Blue Springs South.

The Eagles trailed 2-1 after doubles play and lost two of the next three singles matches that finished as South went ahead 4-2 late in Tuesday’s Class 3 District 7 semifinal matchup with the Jaguars.

No. 6 singles player Blake Galvan defeated senior Tommy Nesbitt 6-4, 7-5 to pull his team within a 4-3 deficit. From there, Grain Valley junior Marius Cooper and sophomore Drew Drinkwater were in closes battles in their No. 4 and 5 matches, respectively.

However, South senior Alex Hunt put it away after he defeated Cooper 7-6 (8-6 tiebreaker), 6-3 as the Jaguars ended the Eagles season following a 6-3 victory.

“I was really proud of our guys,” Grain Valley head tennis coach Randy Draper said. “We played really great today. We played so much better at the end of the year, and we didn’t disappoint. We had a shot.”

Drinkwater helped keep the match going as it could have ended much earlier. He dropped the first set against South sophomore Braden Howard and was trailing 5-0 in the second set. However, he made an improbable comeback and took that set 7-5 to force and deciding set. He was not able to finish his match however as the matchup ended following Hunt’s victory.

“There was a lot of reasons for that to end and he wouldn’t do it,” Draper said of Drinkwater’s match. “He ended up getting into a match tiebreak and it’s a shame he didn’t get to finish.”

Seniors John Cassidy and Trace Compton got Grain Valley’s lone doubles win as they took down Parker Chaney and Zavier Broyles 8-5.

Grain Valley’s No. 2 doubles team of junior Riley Spencer and Cooper were edged 8-5 in their match vs, Hunt and Howard. The No. 3 doubles team of senior Aidan Wilson and Drinkwater dropped a match to Nesbitt and Jake LeTourneau 8-3.

Spencer earned a dominant win over Broyles 6-3, 6-0 against Broyles in No. 3 doubles. Compton and Cassidy dropped their doubles matches 6-2, 6-0 and 6-3, 7-5, respectively.

​“He’s hard to beat,” Draper said of Spencer. “He doesn’t beat himself.”
 

by Michael Smith, Grain Valley News
 
For just the second time this season, the Grain Valley girls soccer team had a week off between games.

The Eagles played Blue Springs South on April 24 and didn’t have another contest until Thursday against Fort Osage.

That week of rest allowed the Grain Valley players to recover from minor injuries and get in full practice sessions during the break.

It paid dividends against the Indians as the Eagles got two goals from junior Radleigh Childers and one  from sophomore Emily Hooper in a 3-1 win at Moody Murray Memorial Field in Suburban White Conference action.

“We had a light practice yesterday and had more heavy practices Monday and Tuesday.” Grain Valley head coach Brett Lewis said. “It was awesome to actually get to practice. The high school season is so grueling. Sometimes you are playing three games a week and the one practice you get is lighter and are recovery sessions.

“It was good for us to think and talk through some areas. We were a little cleaner tonight. We worked on some combination stuff and having our two wings stay high and putting the back four under pressure and being there for those diagonal balls in the corners.”

Childers also noted the benefits of having a week off.

“We had two to three games per week for most of the season,” Childers said. “For us to have a week off after having a tough couple of weeks was nice. We focused a lot more playing as a team. We have very secure back line that works well together.”

Grain Valley (13-2, 9-1 conference) looked like a fresh team Thursday. Hooper scored her goal off an assist and corner kick from junior defender Taylor Nicholson early in the game to put the Eagles up 1-0.

She has been integral in the Eagles’ attack throughout the season as she often helps push the ball past the opposing back line.

“She brings a lot of speed out wide,” Childers said. “She works hard every time to get a touch and to get a second pass off.”

Lewis tried to convince Hooper to join the team during her freshman year. She declined the offer as she wanted to focus on competing for the girls’ track and field team as a relay runner.

Fast forward one year later, Lewis convinced Hooper to play soccer in 2025, while also still competing for the track and field team.

Even though she did not play soccer as an eighth grader or as a freshman, she played club soccer in the past, so she has brought some previous playing experience to the Eagles, as well.

“I was lucky to be able to convince her to play for the team,” Lewis said. “She’s been a great addition who helps us a lot with our aggressiveness and speed. She’s got some decent foot skills, too. Her technical skills are coming back slowly.”

After Hooper’s goal, Childers scored the other two for Grain Valley (13-2, 9-1). She ripped a 25-yarder from the left wing off a rebound inside the far post in the 29th minute to help her team take a 2-0 lead.

With 32 minutes and 9 seconds left in the contest, Childers knocked in a header near the right post and off a corner kick from Nicholson to help her team gain a three-goal cushion.

Fort Osage scored its lone goal in the 74th minute on a breakaway goal from junior Kenna Simons off a through ball and assist from junior Bailor Perry.

With the win, the Eagles sit a ½-game back of Platte County for first place in the Suburban White Conference standings. They play the Pirates on April 6 and will have a chance to move into a tie for first.

Grain Valley fell 3-2 to Platte County on April 2. The Pirates scored the winning goal on a penalty kick after the Eagles committed a foul in the 18-yard box in the final minute of regulation.

“I think last time it was a little unfortunate with how that game ended,” Childers said. “With the goal in the last couple of seconds. It’s an easy fix. We are just going to work hard to finish the game." 
 

by Bill Althaus, Grain Valley News

What started out as a painful start to a Suburban White Conference doubleheader against visiting Platte County, had a fairy tale ending as the Grain Valley Eagles used a strong start from John Malicoat and a seven-run first inning to wipe aside memories of a 7-3 first-game loss as they crushed the Pirates 13-2 in the second game.

The Pirates exploded for seven runs in the fourth inning of the first game.

Driskell, who was coaching third base, was hit in his left knee by a wicked line drive off Malicoat's bat. He limped off the field under his own power, but needed an assistant to take his place on the field in the second game.

Moments after the game ended, Driskell's daughter Bailey rushed to the dugout to see how her dad was feeling.

"I'll tell you what," said Driskell, managing a grin, "Bailey is a lot tougher than I am."

He rolled up the left leg of his uniform to display a black-and-blue bruise that was the size of a grapefruit.

"I'll be honest with you, it really hurts. But I'm not going anywhere, I'm staying for the second game."

He then received a big hug from his daughter. He then told her, "That makes me feel better."

So did that 13-2 win in Game 2, as Malicoat allowed just one run and six hits in his five-inning stint. 

"John got the win and pitched well," Driskell said. "I was impressed with our ability to throw strikes and get outs."

He then addressed the importance of those two seven-run innings.

"Both teams gave up seven spots in each game," Driskell said, "Which kind of takes you out of the game once that happens. Seeing an opponent score seven runs in an inning puts your team in a tough place."

While Driskell had hoped for a sweep, he was thrilled with the Eagles performance in Game 2.

"Getting a split against a good team was a good result," he said. "If we can find a way to play 'simple,' we can be a very hard team to play against going into the postseason.

"We have been swinging it well as of late and I'm proud of what we've done as a group. 

"We have not played poorly as a group for several weeks. But, just like any team, we have moments that are not very good. We made a week's worth of errors (in the Pirates' seven-run fourth inning) and no runs turned into seven runs very quickly.

"It stinks, but it's going to happen if you are around baseball long enough."

The Pirates walked six Eagles in that big first inning. Hunter Nally and Carson Lundquist had RBI singles and Aaron Barr and Kaden Crandall walked with the bases loaded.

Logan Bennett led the Eagles offense with with a triple and three RBIs and Bryce Meyer added three hits and scored three runs.

Grain Valley led 1-0 with a first-inning run, but Platte County took advantage of three Eagle errors to score seven unearned runs. 

Nally had three hits and an RBI in the first game.

The Eagles are 15-9-1 overall and 6-3 in the conference action.

by Cole Arndorfer, Grain Valley News

​
The Grain Valley Schools Board of Education met on Thursday, April 24 for its April business meeting.
 
The board began recognitions with honoring the All Missouri Best of Show winner, Genevive Wheeler for her human-interest story at JDay in Columbia.
 
Senior Drew Melching was then recognized for earning his spot in the Missouri Scholars 100 program. Melching was also honored for being selected as a semifinalist for the 2025 U.S. Presidential Scholarship.
 
The next group recognized was the winter guard varsity team for finishing fifth in the nation at the World Championships in Dayton, Ohio.
 
The girls swim and dive team state qualifiers were honored as well as the wrestling state qualifiers.
 
CTC students who medaled at the SkillsUSA state competition were also recognized.
 
Ryan Hay, who is a field technician in the technology department, was then recognized for his selection as 2025 Support Staff Employee of the Year.
 
To cap off the recognitions portion of the meeting, Eric Ball was honored as the winner of the 2025 Grain Valley Schools Teacher of the Year award.
 
Following recognitions, the board moved into reports, beginning with a curriculum committee report and the Superintendent’s report, which included a financial summary.
 
Moving into unfinished business, the board discussed the progress the district has made on its annual priorities. Superintendent Dr. Brad Welle reported that for all of the priorities, the district is falling where it expected to be at the end of the school year.
 
The board then discussed the draft of the budget for the 2025-2026 school year. Welle mentioned that a priority for the budget is on new full-time positions for the 2025-2026 year. The district also wants to expand extra-curricular opportunities for middle school students in the upcoming year.
 
The board took action on insurance rates for the 2025-2026 school year. The board approved the rates, which increases the amount the district contributes on behalf of the employee, while keeping the rates flat for employees.
 
The board also approved the hiring of one non-certified staff for 2025-2026 school year.

The University of Missouri will host the 73rd Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) State Music Festival, May 1-3.

The event will feature 4,555 performances from students representing 358 schools across Missouri. Performances will take place at MU’s Fine Arts Building, Memorial Union, Tate Hall, McKee Gymnasium, Stewart Hall and the Sinquefield Music Center.
​
Students qualified for the state-level festival by earning an Exemplary rating at their district festival. They will perform before nationally recognized adjudicators, who will provide evaluations and ratings.

The following students from Grain Valley High School will be competing on Saturday:

Tay Bailey- Flute
Julia Bledsoe- Horn and piano
Mackenzie Davis- Trumpet
Dylan Marquis- Trombone
Makayla Martin- Flute
Nathan Morgester- Flute
Aiden Stephens- Clarinet
Liam Hanna- Piano
Felix Baker- Percussion
Brooklyn Boley- Percussion
Cash Bulloc- Percussion
Kaden Byers- Percussion
John Cassidy- Percussion
Will Chrisman- Percussion
William Cooper- Percussion
Dayton Cramer- Percussion
Hudson Flowers- Percussion
Blake Galvan- Percussion
Madison Geiger- Percussion
Charles Greene- Percussion
Chase Johnson- Percussion
Max Johnson- Percussion
Makynzye Lank- Percussion
Emma Mickelson- Percussion
Madeline Sharky- Percussion
Alison Temples- Percussion
Chloe Thompson- Percussion
Wyatt Walker- Percussion
Dallas Weir- Percussion
Levi Whitaker- Percussion

All performances are free and open to the public, running daily from 8:00am - 5:00pm. A daily schedule of participating schools is available in the Music Activities section of www.mshsaa.org.
​

by Michael Smith, Grain Valley News
 
Brothers Tyler and Tristan Hoyt are playing organized high school volleyball for the first time in their careers in the 2024-25 season.

Before this season, the duo played sand volleyball in recreational leagues over the summer.

Their father and junior classmate Jordan Jackson convinced them to try out for the high school team, and both have been an integral part of the Grain Valley boys volleyball team.

They combined for 10 aces and seven kills to help the Eagles cruise to a 25-8, 25-13, 25-9 victory at home.

Tristan said staying active has been the key to them being good in their first year playing the sport. They were both on the junior varsity basketball team this past winter.

Grain Valley head coach Tori Squiers said the brothers have exceeded expectations in their first season playing organized volleyball.

“It really speaks to their athletic ability and how fast they picked up the game,” said Squiers, whose team improved to 17-7-1. “At the beginning of the season we were unsure where (Tristan) could fill in on our team, with some of the holes we had. He has taken over as a huge middle blocker and an offensive threat for our team.”

Tyler has been the go-to server for Squiers and has been one of the team’s setters, while Tristan has been a solid middle hitter. Tyler credited his work in practice for his development into the team’s top server. He had five aces against Raytown on Tuesday.

“We quickly saw how good his hands were,” Squiers said. “We have been working with him on setting and how to read the court. To come in and having never played before, he has been phenomenal. He’s our leader in aces.”

Tristan showed he was a good server himself as he earned 11 straight service points, including four aces to help his team go on a run to win the second set.

“That was pretty good. It was unexpected,” Tristan said. “I am usually not the one to serve that many times. It’s usually my brother.”

Both have been a strong presence at the net, too. Tristan had five kills against the Blue Jays and Tyler added.
“Playing basketball has helped with our leaping ability,” Tyler said.

Senior Maddox Dresslaer, who leads the team in kills, joined the Hoyts in scoring as he had a team-high seven kills. Senior Ryan Rohr also has been strong at the net. On Tuesday, he added five kills.

“He brings all the energy,” Tyler said of Rohr. “He’s a good player, who always keeps it in. I can trust him when I am setting.”

Added Squiers: “Ryan is one of those guys who are hard to take off the court. He’s a six rotational player for us and brings a lot of energy.”
 

by Michael Smith, Grain Valley News


The Grain Valley girls soccer team was red hot.

It came into Thursday’s matchup with Blue Springs South on an eight-game winning streak and coming in had at least one goal in every game.

That changed against a Jaguar squad that is ranked No. 3 in Class 4 according to the Missouri High School Soccer Coaches Association.

South’s defense made it difficult for Grain Valley to get any clean looks inside the 18-yard box. Most of their shot attempts came from 25-plus yards out and the Eagles couldn’t find the back of the net in a 4-0 loss at South.

Grain Valley’s best shot attempts came from senior forward Ally Gilbert from just outside of the penalty box. Her first one went just wide of the net in the 35th minute and the other was a slow roller that was easily saved by South goalkeeper Des Stone.

A lot of attempts from junior Radleigh Childers, who is the Eagles’ top goal scorer, came from about 25 to 30 yards away from the net. Her final attempt late in the game from the right wing was partially blocked by junior Lailah Smith and collected by Stone.

She also had a shot from the left wing that just went wide right of the goal midway through the first half.

“Offensively, we were settling for far shots,” Grain Valley head coach Brett Lewis said. “I feel like our girls could have combined a little bit better.”

Lewis added defensive mistakes led to some of the goals South made.

Jaguar senior Lilly Gibler got the scoring going as she received a cross from Alyssa Guadagnano and she floated a shot from the left corner of the penalty box and inside the far post for a 1-0 lead in the 20th minute.

With 8 minutes and 52 seconds left in the first half, a direct free kick from junior Mary Hoffman was headed toward the Eagles’ goal, and sophomore Kenley Hooks raced toward the net and blasted in a header to push South’s led to 2-0.

In the 36th minute, South continued its strong attack when sophomore Lexi Edwards sent a long through ball to Guadagnano, who slipped a shot inside the left post and past the diving Alayna Maybell to put her team up by three scores.

Junior Haley Cramer completed the scoring for South received a cross from a teammate and nailed a perfectly placed shot inside the left post in the 49th minute.

“We just need to clean up some things,” Lewis said. “I thought a lot of the goals we gave up were off our mistakes. They capitalized. (South) is very athletic and they will just press you. It’s a credit to them.”

Despite the loss, there were some bright spots to take away from the game for Lewis.

​“I was proud of our effort,” Lewis said. “I thought Mia Cole played really well in the middle. She defended Haley (Cramer) really well. She held her own.”
 

by Bill Althaus, Grain Valley News


Grain Valley had just won two of the three doubles matches against visiting Truman Tuesday afternoon on the Eagles home court.

And coach Randy Draper was focused on the singles competition.

“This is going to be close,” Draper said. “I'm happy we won those two doubles matches.”

A strong finish in singles play helped the Eagles claim a 7-2 victory over their White Conference rivals in a win that brought a smile to the veteran coach's face.

“This match was a lot closer than the score indicates,” said Draper, whose team improved to 8-7-1 overall and 3-1 in conference play.

“Any time you play Scott (Lett's) team you know you're going to be in for a battle. But our guys played great.
It's nice to see all their hard work pay off because we've lost a lot of one- and two-point dual matches."

“This was a perfect day for tennis, and a great ending. I'm really proud of our guys.”

When the match was still razor tight, No. 5 singles player Drew Drinkwater picked up a win that clenched the match.

“We were up 4-2 and I knew that if I won, we'd win the match,” said Drinkwater, a sophomore whose older brother Ben, a 2024 graduate, was No. 1 on the Eagles last season.

Drinkwater won the match 8-4.

“We have a lot of great guys and great leaders on the team this season," Drinkwater added. "Monday was our Senior Night and we have to say goodbye to 10 seniors. That's going to be tough, but I want to keep improving and do my best to be a leader next season.”

Grain Valley's John Cassidy won 8-3 at No. 2 singles, Riley Spencer 8-1 at No. 3, Marius Cooper 9-8 (7-4), Drew Drinkwater 8-4 at No. 5 and Blake Galvan 8-2 at No. 6.

Spencer and Cooper won 8-1 at No. 2 doubles and Drinkwater and Aidan Wilson 8-3 at No. 3.

There was one highlight for the Patriots as senior No. 1 singles player Josh Bush won 8-1 at No. 1 singles to pick up his milestone 50th career win. 

Bush also teamed with Isaac Ulberg to claim a 9-7 victory over Truman's Compton and John Cassidy. 

Bush was presented a plaque after the match.

Bush, whose grandfather Tom Bush is an American Legion and amateur baseball icon in Eastern Jackson County, was on hand for his grandson's 50th victory.

"I'm so proud of Josh," Tom Bush said. "He really picked up tennis as a freshman and has enjoyed a lot of success the past four years." 

The first time Bush picked up a tennis racket was his freshman year.

The younger Bush admitted that he enjoyed great success and felt comfortable the first time he stepped on a court.

"I think my real strength in consistency," said Bush, who improved to 11-1 on the season. "When I was a freshman, I really felt comfortable and confident the first time I played. And I've continued to improve as a player thanks to our great coaches. I owe them a lot."

Truman head coach Scott Lett said Bush is one of the most talented players he's ever coached.

"I've coached kids who grew up with a racquet in their hands, and along comes Josh - who had never really played the game before high school - and he starts out at our No. 6 singles spot and works his way up to No. 2 before the end of his freshman season.

"Tonight we wanted to honor him for his 50th career singles win. He just keeps improving season by season and match by match. He's been fun to watch this season."

Bush said this season means so much to him because he will no longer play after graduating from Truman.

"It's great to have this much success as a senior," said Bush, who helped Truman win it's own tournament earlier this season with a 10-2 victory over Compton.

"I really enjoy singles play because I can get frustrated in doubles because I don't want to let my doubles partner down.” 

by Michael Smith, Grain Valley News


The Grain Valley boys volleyball team seemed to be going through a roller coaster ride.

After a dominant first set in which the Eagles won in Monday’s non-conference matchup with St. Michael The Archangel Catholic, the Eagles had a mistake-filled second and third set, which allowed the Guardians to take a 2-1 set lead.

The fourth set went back and forth, but the Eagles went on a late run to force a fifth and deciding set. From there, Eagles senior Maddox Dresslaer rattled off six consecutive service points to help Grain Valley take a 25-11, 18-25, 22-25, 25-20, 15-6 victory at St. Michael The Archangel Catholic High School.

A few of the Eagles were dinged up throughout the match. Dresslaer jammed one of his thumbs and junior Jordan Jackson had been battling a sore knee from the third set on, but the Eagles were able to battle through it all.

“I have had it forever, I had a basic jumper’s knee,” Jackson said. “I felt something pop going up. It felt strained when I was sprinting or jumping. I think it’s something I just have to ice it up and play through it.”

In the second and third game, Grain Valley had many self-inflicted errors and some miscommunication among the six players on the court resulted in some easy points for the Guardians.

“I think we earned six points in the second set total,” Grain Valley head coach Tori Squiers said. “We had about 10 errors to start each game back-to-back and got ourselves into a rut. It’s hard to come out of those mentally.

“When we started making errors, we started playing timid.”

Added Dresslaer: “We let our own issues and errors bother us.”

Those two games were proceeded by a first set that made it seem like the Eagles were headed for a dominant win. They jumped out to a 17-7 lead and from there, Jackson and Dresslaer combined for five kills to help their team win the set in convincing fashion.

After the Guardians took a 2-1 set lead, the Eagles seemed to come out with more energy as they began with a 5-0 spurt, which was highlighted by two kills from Dresslaer and an ace from sophomore Tyler Hoyt. However, the Guardians chipped away at the Eagles’ advantage and went on a 16-5 run that was powered by a kill and an ace from senior Donzell Reives and a kill and scoring block from junior David Rogge.

Grain Valley (14-6-1) wasn’t about to go away quietly, though. They got a pair of key blocks from sophomore Tristan Hoyt to help pull within 16-14 and they continued the momentum from there.

The score was tied at 18-18 after an error from Grain Valley. However, a kill from senior Ryan Rohr began a 7-2 run and Jackson chipped in with two of his own, including a dump that fooled the St. Michael defense and dropped to the floor to force a fifth set.

St. Michael began the fifth with a 2-0 lead, but after Dresslaer got a two-handed kill to get Grain Valley on the scoreboard, he rattled off six straight service points to put the Eagles up 8-2, capped by an ace. The Guardians wouldn’t get closer than six points from there as Grain Valley cruised the rest of the way.

“After the win in the fourth set, they came out ready to run our fast offense,” Squiers said. “We started communicating and playing as a team.”

While Dresslaer and Jackson scored some key points in the final two games, Tyler Hoyt was a big part of the comeback as he had three kills during that stretch.

​“Tyler is just an athlete, and he makes these crazy plays where you are not sure he’s going to get to it sometimes and he’s there,” Squiers said. “he’s looking to play an aggressive game, and he swings hard.”
Dresslaer led all players with 15 kills.