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by Michael Smith The Grain Valley boys’ tennis team came close to winning a district championship last season. The Eagles made it to the finals of the Class 2 District 8 Tournament in 2023 after defeating Kansas City East and Kearney in the quarterfinals and semifinals, respectively. However, they fell to Platte County 5-1 in the championship as they were going for their second consecutive district championship. This season, Grain Valley may have a good chance of winning districts as it returns four of its six starters from last year’s squad. Leading the way will be the No. 1 singles player, Ben Drinkwater, who finished with a 9-9 record in 2023. The other returns joining him are senior Carter Williams and juniors John Cassidy and Trace Compton. Those are four players who are expected to crack the starting lineup and help the Eagles with the varsity experience factor. “It helps with our confidence, especially since a team like Platte County only returned two guys and they graduated a lot of their (junior varsity) guys, as well,” Drinkwater said. “We definitely feel like we can make a run this year.” And that will start with Drinkwater as he will play against the other team’s best player every match as the No. 1. He said he’s been working on his serve and backhand in the offseason. “My second serve is something I have struggled with in the past,” Drinkwater said. “I used to not have one. If I have a stronger second serve, I have more control over the point from the beginning.” “I have also been working on being more consistent with my backhand. I think both of those aspects of my game I have improved.” As the No. 2 singles player, Williams hopes to take a leap and elevate his performance from 2023. Drinkwater noted a big strength for Williams is his aggressiveness. “He will go after volleys,” Drinkwater said. “He’s not passive, which is nice. He is not afraid to make a mistake, which makes him a good player. You see a lot of JV players and even some varsity players who are afraid to make a mistake. Carter isn’t.” Williams added he has been working on his serves and being confident on the court. “It’s about going out there and doing what you practice,” Williams said. “I have struggled with that in the past, but I have gotten better with that to a point.” While Drinkwater and Williams will lead the team as the top two players, the Eagles have a big strength with their depth. There are six players who could fill the remaining four spots on the singles and doubles teams. Some of those expected to compete for those spots include Cassidy, Compton, seniors Campbell Childers and Dominic Lunn and juniors Blake Galvan and Aidan Wilson. Those who will fill No. 3, 4, 5 and 6 spots have yet to be determined. “I am very confident in this team,” Drinkwater said. “We have so many guys who can play at the varsity level and two of them will have to play on the JV team. Any of those guys can play at the four spots.” Grain Valley head coach Randy Draper said the depth is an advantage for his Eagles, but he said the team wins and losses will come down to who ends up in the No. 3 spot. He said if he can find players capable of winning the No. 3 and 4 matchups, his team will be a good shape in 2024. “It all comes down to if we have a lot of three and fours or do we have fives and sixes,” Draper said. “We will find out what we have when we start playing.” The depth part of the reason Drinkwater and Williams said they are confident the Eagles can win the district tournament this season. “We can easily beat them this year,” Williams said of potentially playing Platte County in the tournament this year. “Everyone has gotten better, and everyone is growing in their own ways. Grain Valley will play in its season opener at 4 p.m. March 19 at Staley High School. Seniors Carter Williams, left, and Ben Drinkwater will be the No. 2 and 1 singles players for the Grain Valley boys tennis team, respectively as they will aim for a team district title in 2024. Photo credit: Michael Smith
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by Michael Smith For the past two seasons, the Grain Valley boys golf team has been put on the map. The Eagles made the Missouri State High School Boys Golf Championships in 2022 and 2023 and finished seventh and sixth respectively. Those were the only times in the history of the program in which Grain Valley got to compete at the event. Now, the team is hoping to make it back for a third time this time with some new players entering the fold. “We used to have a lot of first-year golfers stumble in here who were athletes that we turned into golfers,” head coach Andy Herbert said. “Now we have some kids coming in as golfers and are ready to play.” Grain Valley is returning senior Charles Aldred and sophomore Eli Herbert are returning to the squad after getting to compete at state in 2023. Senior Jack Hileman likely will be promoted from junior varsity to the varsity squad. Sophomore Mason Smith and freshman Jacob Gorden are also expected to be a part of the lineup, as well. “I think we are going to be able to pick up right where we left off, just with different names,” Aldred said. The Eagles lost two-time, all-state placer Owen Hebert, who graduated in May 2023, along with Jaiden Wilson, who also got to compete at state. The Eagles will still have a seasoned golfer in Aldred, who got to compete at the state tournament the past two seasons. In 2023, he finished just five strokes off the score needed to be named an all-state selection, which is awarded to the top 15 finishers. He took 29th last season with a total score of 155. In 2022, he was 68th with a score of 173. Last season, he admitted he sometimes struggled handling bigger tournaments and dealing with the pressure of playing in them. He said he’s gotten better in those situations and it showed with his stark improvement at state. “I want to keep the momentum going that I had last year. When it came down to state, a little bit of the pressure got to me. I could have played a little better. “I feel like I am getting better in those big moments. Playing more golf helps and staying as locked in as I can.” Herbert, whose primary sport is basketball, had an impressive freshman season in 2023. At state, he finished tied two other golfers in 49th place with a 162. At the Class 4 District 4 tournament, he was a huge part of the team success as he took fifth by shooting a 76 (+4). He admitted he didn’t pick up a golf club during basketball season but is starting to get back into the swing of things now that the spring sports season is here. For him, the key is having a strong mentality. “You are not going to have your best every day,” Herbert said. “My main goal is to be a competitor and just win the hole and win the swing and grit out my rounds. “I don’t want to let one bad hole lead to two or three. I want to keep that laser focus and not getting too high or too low.” As far as the newcomers go, Hileman said he’s stoked to get his first varsity season started and will aim to strike the ball better and more accurately with his iron clubs. “I am just ready to be a part of the ride,” Hileman said. “There are no pictures in the scorecard.” So are Gorden and Smith, whom Andy Herbert said will be some key contributors. “Jacob was our next door neighbor for a few years, and he really got into golf at that time,” Andy Herbert said. “I think he was in the fifth or sixth grade when he started. He played a lot of competitive golf. He’s going to be a good player.” Grain Valley will kick off the season in the Oak Grove Invitational at 8:30 a.m. today at Adams Pointe Golf Club. From left, Eli Herbert, Charlie Alfred, Jack Hileman and Jacob Gordon will be a part of the Grain Valley boys golf team which will aim for a third consecutive state tournament appearance in 2024. Photo credit: Michael Smith
Good News: Grain Valley Swim and Dive team offering youth swim lessons starting March 25th3/14/2024 The GV Swim and Dive Team will be providing swimming lessons again this year at the Blue Springs South Aquatic Center. They will start on the week of March 25th and last for 4 weeks. The cost is $60 for 4 semi-private lessons. Student athletes from the boys and girls high school team will be providing the instruction and funds raised will support the team.
Utilize the QR code in the flyer below to register or e-mail grainvalleyswimdive@gmail.com with questions. by Michael Smith For the past two years, Grain Valley High School has had a boys volleyball club team, and it has been successful. The Eagles have travelled to other cities outside of Missouri and teams in the area to compete at the club level. During the last two seasons, the Eagles have made it to the national tournament. This year, the team has a new opportunity. In 2024, for the first time, the Missouri State High School Association adopted boys volleyball as a high school sport, and the Eagles will be one of a few teams in the Kansas City metro area to have a team in the association. “We had so many boys this year that were interested,” Grain Valley head coach Tori Squiers said. “I was pumped when I heard the news because a lot of these boys want to go and play at a higher level, so this gives them more experience.” The Eagles currently have a roster of 23 players with some having experience. Those who could see playing time include seniors Lane Olivarez, William Lindley and Josiah Oehlke, all of whom have had experience playing for the club team; sophomore Jordan Jackson and junior Maddox Dresslaer are returning players, as well; and sophomore Nathan Morgester could also see time on the court. Oliverez said that his family has a history of playing volleyball and he started playing for the club team two years ago. This season, he will play at middle hitter. Oehlke said he noticed his friends were playing in 2022 and decided to give it a shot. He didn’t regret it. “I had a blast; I had a ton of fun,” Oehlke said. “It’s been fun to growing at a couple of different positions like libero and right side (hitter).” Squiers and her players also recruited underclassmen to join the team, which led to Grain Valley having a roster of 23. They encouraged those who were not playing a spring sport to try it out. The Eagles got enough players to join to have a varsity and junior varsity squad. “We have just been asking people in class if they want to play,” Olivarez said. “We have been helping everyone out since they have joined, helping with basic skills.” The Eagles have been practicing for nearly two weeks, working building chemistry. It also helps that a few of the players have already played with each other during the club season. Because of that, the Eagles are confident that they can have a strong inaugural season. “I think people are going to want to keep an eye out on us,” Squiers said. “I think it’s going to be a really good season and we will have a chance to be successful.” Added Olivarez: “We just want to destroy anyone who gets in our way. We want to win as many games as possible. We want to put Grain Valley boys volleyball on the map.” Grain Valley will participate in a preseason jamboree Friday at Guadalupe Centers High School. Seniors Lane Olivarez, left, and Josiah Oehlke played together on the Grain Valley boys volleyball club team and now will be a part of the official high school team this season. Photo credit: Michael Smith
by Michael Smith Last season, the Grain Valley girls soccer team was one of the best teams not only in Kansas City, but in the state. The Eagles had a sparkling 20-4 record going into the Class 4 District 6 Tournament, but fell to Blue Springs South 3-1, ending their stellar season. This year, Grain Valley will have a chance to have an even better season as it returns the bulk of its varsity players from the 2022-23 squad. It will be without defender Lexi Nicholson, who graduated in 2023, and senior Annabelle Totta, who is out due to her battle with cancer. The heart and soul of the Eagles, senior Thiessen, returns as a four-year starter. She is a forward who scored 21 goals and 15 assists in 2023 and was a Class 4 all-state honor mention selection. She and sophomore Radleigh Childers will provide a bulk of the scoring for the Eagles. She finished with 27 goals and 19 assists as a freshman. “It will be an adjustment we will have to make,” Childers said of the team scoring goals without Totta. “It’s definitely going to take a toll, but we will push through it. We’re going to play this season for Anna and do great.” They will be supported by a midfield that consists of senior Meghan Knust, juniors Mia Cole and Ally Gilbert – all of whom could see playing time at the wing position, as well. While those three will see a lot time in the midfield, they will likely be used at other positions, too. “They will be cycling in and out of those winger and midfield roles,” head coach Brett Lewis said. “Opposing defenses will key on certain players and we’ll keep other teams guessing. We have a lot of girls who are versatile and can play multiple positions.” Grain Valley also returns three out of their four starters on the back line including seniors Sevreign Aumua and Sophia Giuliano, sophomore Taylor Nicholson and junior Isabel Lopez. Knust likely will rotate to the back line, as well. “She close space down fast and she tackles hard,” Lewis said of Lopez. “She’s going to be good back there. Our back line is going to be pretty solid. They have played a lot of minutes together.” Added Thiessen: “I think Taylor is going to take a big step up. She has already shown that. She’s aggressive. Sophia has shown a lot of strength and growth, too.” At goalkeeper, sophomore Alayna Maybell will return as the starting goalkeeper. She played the position for the first time last season and Lewis and the rest of the players anticipate she will improve from last season. Players like sophomores Avery Stumpenhaus and Aubrie Henson, who received a little playing time on the varsity team last year, likely will receive a significant bump in playing time. Grain Valley should have a strong offense as it scored 4.6 goals per game last season, but endurance will be something the team will have to count on as it doesn’t have a lot of depth. Lewis said he anticipates the rotation to go 13 deep. “We don’t have a ton of depth, but we have a good, solid core,” Lewis said. “We’ll get some girls some rest here and there, but I told the girls, we have to be fit. We have never really had a lot of depth in past years. It’s nothing new for these girls, they will rise to the occasion.” With a bevy of experienced players returning, the Eagles have high expectations this season and are aiming for a deep postseason run. “We want to get back to the district championship and we want to beat South, : Lewis said. “We want to beat the good teams like Rock Bridge, Hickman and Blue Springs.” Added Thiessen: “Every year, we have a chance to make deep run in the playoffs. All 10 of us are coming back and we have great coaches to help keep us on track.” Sophomore Radleigh Childers, left, and senior Emma Thiessen combined for 48 goals and 33 assists in 2023 and the duo will guide the offense for the Grain Valley girls soccer team this season. Photo credit: Michael Smith
by Michael Smith COLUMBIA, Mo. -- It was an emotional ending to the stellar high school wrestling career for Grain Valley senior Sevreign Aumua. Once again, she was in the finals of the 140-pound weight division and faced off against Washington senior Annalise Obermark in the Class 2 Girls Missouri State High School Wrestling Championships Saturday at Mizzou Arena. Aumua was going through her third straight state championship had a little bit of a challenge on her hands. At one point, Aumua and Obermark were tied at 2-all in the first period after Obermark got a reversal in the first period. However, the Eagle senior took the lead for good when she got an escape with 7 seconds left in the first to go up 3-2. She then put it away in the second period after benefitting from a stalling call on Obermark for a point and a takedown to put herself up by four. In the third period, she rode out Obermark until the final 16 seconds in which her opponent got an escape. She hung on for the win and her third consecutive individual state championship. Grain Valley ended up in 10th place as a team with 53 points. After the match, Aumua formed the shape of a heart with both of her hands and held it up in the air as she faced the Grain Valley section of the crowd. “I just wanted to show that I love all my supporters and all of my past coaches,” Aumua said. “My family, my teammates, and my friends … I wanted to show my appreciation for them.” Back in the tunnel area of the arena, Aumua let the tears flow as she was speaking with head coach Donald Horner and senior Justin Deweese. It had just hit her that it was her final match as a Grain Valley Eagle and she ended her career on top. “It hit me at the end,” Aumua said. “It doesn’t feel real until it’s your last match. It’s hard to take in and hard to realize I won state. I think this year was the toughest one (to win).” Aumua said she plans on wrestling in college but does not know where yet. She’s has spoken with recruiters of some universities but is still weighing her options. “I plan on visiting more colleges to see which one fits me,” Aumua said. Her teammate, sophomore Jayden Moehle (235 pounds) made it to the finals of her bracket to face off against Northwest’s Abby Chandler. To get to that match, Moehle dominated by pinning her first three opponents in the first period, including previously unbeaten Clara Rathmann of Camdenton. Moehle matched up with Northwest senior Abby Chandler in the finals. Moehle went for a shot, which was stopped and defended. Chandler floated over the top of Moehle for a takedown and used a power half nelson to turn Moehle and get a pin in 1:34. After finishing fourth last season, Moehle was a runner-up. “Overall, I thought I had a pretty good tournament,” Moehle said. “I was happy with how I wrestled up until the finals match. I wish I would have been more patient with my shots.” With the graduation of Aumua following this season, Moehle said she hopes to be a part of the successful season for the 2024-25 Eagles. “I really want more girls to join this program,” Moehle said. “I am really going to miss Sevi and Keya (Butler) because they were my biggest supporters. I want a bigger team and I want to kick it up this summer.” Boys Grain Valley sophomore Zac Bleess (120) was close to making the finals of his bracket as he held a 4-1 lead over Parkway South freshman Camron Duffield. Bleess, however, was unable to get out from the bottom position in the second and third periods and Duffield made a comeback, with the sophomore Eagle falling 5-4. In the consolation bracket, Bleess fell to Ft. Zumwalt North junior Nathaniel Provost 4-2, but bounced back to beat Columbia Hickman freshman Hogan Benter 96 to take fifth place. “We are here to wrestle the best in the state, or what’s even the point?” Bleess said. “I am really glad to have that kind of competition. I think I am capable of more, but it is what it is. “My neutral, I was fine, but on top and bottom – the mat wrestling – I am not quite there yet, but that’s OK.” Senior Gavin Parks (126) finished his career with his second state medal of his career. He had to exit out of the fifth-place match with Jackson senior Landon Vassalli. He injured his should and had to be escorted to the tunnels with coaches and trainers after having to drop the match due to injury forfeit as he took sixth. Photo credit: Clara Jaques
by Michael Smith Grain Valley sophomore Jayden Moehle admitted she didn’t wrestler her best. She said she was nervous because of the big event feel at the Class 2 Missouri State High School Girls Wrestling Championship Friday at Mizzou Arena in Columbia. She didn’t appear to have any nerves in her matches as she pinned Eureka junior Addison Neumann in the first round and won by fall over Jefferson City freshman Samara Nyatanga in the quarterfinals of the 235-pound weight division to advance to Saturday’s semifinals. “I didn’t wrestle sloppy, but I didn’t wrestle like myself,” Moehle said. “I think all the lights in the atmosphere made it tough, but tomorrow I am going to kick it into gear.” In that match, she will take on undefeated Clara Rathmann of Camdenton. “I feel very good about getting to the finals,” Moehle said. “Anything can happen at any time.” Joining her in the semifinal will be Grain Valley senior Sevreign Aumua (140 pounds), who pinned Camden senior Lucinda Baker and Ritnour sophomore Julian Smith. Aumua will be looking for her third state championship Saturday and she will have to get past Belton junior Louise Juitt in the semifinals, an opponent she has already pinned twice this season. Aumua said she used to go through the same nerves as Moehle and lacked confidence at times, but that aspect as since improved as a senior. “I feel good with where I am at with my confidence,” Aumua said. “I just wrestle my match and listen to the coaches. My confidence has progressed over time and I feel good going into tomorrow.” Junior Adalia Del Real (155) and senior Keya Butler (145) were eliminated from the tournament. Boys Grain Valley sophomore Zac Bleess (120) will have a chance to win a state championship on Saturday as he is the lone member of the boys team to make it to the semifinals. He took an 11-4 decision over Ozark sophomore Logan Luder and edged Columbia Hickman freshman Hogan Benter 5-3 in the quarterfinals. Bleess nearly gave up a takedown late in the third period against Benter, but he used a savvy moved hung on to the thigh of his opponent and eventually forced a breakup and stalemate call from the official to preserve his two-point advantage. “All year, I have been focusing on knowing what the situation is and knowing what you need to do,” Bleess said. “Sometimes that just means you need to hang on. I would have loved to get more points obviously, but sometimes you just have to be aware of where you are. Bleess will take on Parkway South freshman Camron Duffield in the semifinals and he feels good going in. “I just need to stick with what I am good at and take advantage of my opportunities as I have them,” Bleess said. Grain Valley senior Gavin Parks (126) is still alive to earn a state medal as he went 2-1 on Friday. He nearly upset Lafayette Wildwood senior Dylan Roth in the first round as he held a 5-2 lead at one point. But Roth staged a comeback and won 6-5 to send Parks to the consolation bracket. From there, Parks won 10-1 over Ft. Zumwalt North freshman Carsten Burkemper and pinned Ozark junior Keaton Hurst to advance to the third round of wrestle backs. Parks will need to win one more match to be guaranteed a state medal. He will face Hickman sophomore Andrew Wisner in the bubble match. “Going into districts, I knew I was going to battling the toughest kids in the state,” Parks said. “It didn’t go how I wanted and I took fourth. I knew whoever the one-seed was, they were going to have trouble with me. I didn’t quite execute it, but I hope I get to see him in (the consolation) semifinals.” Seniors Justin Deweese (165) and Jace Worthington (175) and freshman Sjoeren Aumua (144) were eliminated from the tournament. Scenes from day 1 of the MSHSAA State Wrestling Championships. Photo credit: Clara Jaques
by Michael Smith Grain Valley senior Jace Worthington had one last chance to qualify for the state tournament. Worthington had never competed in the state tournament before going into Saturday’s Class 4 District 4 Tournament at Fort Osage High School. His brother, Jaden Worthington, qualified for the state tournament in 2019 and 2018 and Jace wanted to qualify for the state tournament before he graduated. He had his chance when he took on North Kansas City junior Justin Patek in the consolation semifinals of the 175-pound bracket. It was the bubble match and the winner would qualify for the state tournament while the season would end for the loser. Worthington grinded out a 4-1 win against Patek, punching his ticket to Columbia as he was one of six Eagles to qualify for the Missouri State High School Wrestling Championships beginning Friday at Mizzou Arena. Worthington ended up taking fourth after he was pinned by Rockhurst junior Anthony Totta in the third-place bout. “It’s pretty awesome, especially after seeing my brother setting a pretty high standard,” Jace said. “I am just happy I am able to somewhat follow that up.” Jace said he often looks over at Jaden, who coaches him from the stands at times. “When I am in a sticky situation, he motions to what I should do,” Jace said. Freshman Sjoeren Aumua (144) has had a breakout 2023-24 campaign and he will compete at state for the first time next weekend. He cruised to a 13-1 major decision over Park Hill South’s Connor Jackson in the bubble match before falling 7-3 to Liberty North senior Dru Thomas in the third-place match. “I am happy I get to go to state with the team and to be able to actually compete,” Aumua said. “I need the experience to go to state as a freshman.” He admitted to having some nerves going into district but was able to overcome them. “I feel like I was scared going into the matches,” Aumua said. “I just need a little more confidence in myself. I just need to get better at the end of the day. I felt like I was pretty good but there is plenty of room to improve.” Junior Colston Parks (113) will get to join his brother Gavin at state for the first time as he took fourth on Saturday. He pinned Northtown freshman Noah Perez in 40 seconds in the bubble match to keep his season alive. He fell in the third-place match to Liberty sophomore Cade Dunn by fall. “I am pretty excited,” Parks said. “I am glad I have made it. I came a long way. I can’t wait to see where I go at state.” Senior Gavin Parks (126) will be making his third trip to state as he took fourth at districts. Sophomore Zac Bleess (120) is going to go back to state for the seasons time. He made it to the finals before falling to two-time state champion Hunter Taylor of Liberty 15-4 and senior Justin Deweese will make his third appearance at the state tournament after finishing as the runner up in 165-pound weight division as he fell to Ruskin sophomore Logan Taylor 7-1 in the championship match. From left, Grain Valley wrestlers Sjoeren Aumua, Gavin Parks, Zac Bleess, Justin Deweese, Colston Parks and Jace Worthington all qualified for the Class 4 Missouri State High School Wrestling Championships by finishing in the top 4 of the district tournament Saturday at Fort Osage High School. Photo credit: Michael Smith
After months of community debate and speculation, the Kansas City Royals announced plans Tuesday to relocate to the Crossroads district in downtown Kansas City. Jackson County voters will decide in April whether to extend the current 3/8 cent tax that supports Kauffman and Arrowhead Stadiums for the next 40 years. “We are thrilled to announce our plans to contribute community dynamics, an incredible stadium experience, and long-term growth to The Crossroads – a neighborhood ballpark home for the Royals that will stand strong for the next 50 years here in Jackson County," Royals Chairman and CEO John Sherman said. “And we’re excited to build that new home without costing taxpayers a penny more.” In a release following the announcement, Jackson County Executive Frank White welcomed the announcement of a site location. "For months, we've stressed the importance of selecting a site to move forward effectively with negotiations and to provide a clear basis for the proposal before it goes to the voters,” White said. “I am pleased that the Royals have taken this significant step. It is a decision that marks progress in our journey towards a resolution that will shape the future of our county." In the release, White underscored the urgency of engaging in an open, transparent and thoroughly honest discussion about the proposal, especially given its imminent placement on the April ballot. "The time for broad overviews has passed,” White said. “As this issue heads to the ballot, it is crucial for all parties involved to commit to a dialogue that leaves no question unanswered, and no detail obscured. This is a monumental decision for Jackson County, involving an investment of over $2 billion by our taxpayers. They deserve to understand every aspect of what this entails." For more information on the proposed stadium and site plan, visit Kansas City Royals Stadium (kcballparkdistrict.com) The Kansas City Royals released renderings of a proposed stadium to be located in the Crossroads district of downtown Kansas City. Voters will decide in April whether to extend the current 3/8 tax to support the relocation. Photo credit: Kansas City Royals
by Michael Smith Grain Valley senior Raif Graham isn’t a regular in the rotation of the Grain Valley boys basketball team, but he’s still an important contributor. Senior guard Jack Schoen said Graham is the team’s “biggest cheerleader.” Graham also has served as the glue guy for the Eagles and a vocal leader. He doesn’t always see the floor but when he does, he gets the loudest cheers from the players on the bench and the student section. In a game earlier during the season against Fort Osage, students were chanting for Herbert to put Graham in the game. Graham did get some playing time in Tuesday’s non-conference matchup against Excelsior Springs and had an impact as he scored six points in a 68-18 trashing of the Tigers at Grain Valley High School. “He brings a lot more to this team that people realize,” Grain Valley head coach Andy Herbert said. “He brings energy every day to practice. He’s meant so much to this team. He keeps our spirits up.” Whenever Graham scored, the cheers from the bench were a little louder than normal. It is apparent Graham is a popular player amongst his teammates. “It just means everything to me to be respected and loved by the team and the crowd,” Graham said. “That's part of my role to step in and step up when I am needed.” Schoen said the team was happy to return the favor to Graham for cheering them on by giving him vocal support. “The best part of watching film is watching Raif’s reaction,” Schoen said. “When he gets out there and scores, we have to give it back to him. “He was out there hustling, playing good defense.” Along with Graham, juniors Caleb Lunn and Tucker Hughes, who aren’t a part of the regular rotation, got some playing time as well as Herbert was able to empty his bench in a blowout. Grain Valley took an 18-4 lead at the end of the first period and went into halftime up 33-9. The Eagles ballooned the lead to 55-11 going into the fourth and cruised from there. Overall, the Eagles defense stymied Excelsior Springs. “In the first half, our rotations were a little off,” Graham said. “At halftime, we got a little talking to by Coach Herbert. He was really nice and subtle about it. We just have to keep them in front, be ready and provide help defense.” Sophomore Eli Herbert led all scorers with 15 points and seniors Logan Marcum and Jack Schoen added 12 each. Grain Valley senior Raif Graham got some playing time and scored six points in Grain Valley's 68-18 blowout over Excelsior Springs Tuesday at home. Graham, who doesn't always get playing time, has been a valuable player behind the scenes for the Eagles, according to head coach Andy Herbert. Photo credit: Michael Smith Grain Valley sophomore Eli Herbert drives to the basket. Herbert had a game-high 15 points. Photo credit: Michael Smith Grain Valley senior Jack Schoen leads the fast break. Photo credit: Michael Smith
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