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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
by Michael Smith The Grain Valley girls wrestling team has made some major strides since the 2020-21 season. In that year, Sevi Aumua was the only girl on the team and then the Eagles had two girls the following season with Ava Kusick joining. During the 2022-23 campaign, Aumua had someone from her team get to join her at the Class 2 Missouri State High School Girls Wrestling championships as Jayden Moehle also qualified. Now, the Eagles have the best group they have ever had and that was proven at the Class 2 District 4 Tournament Saturday at Platte County High School. For the first time in program history, four Eagles girls qualified for the state tournament as Aumua, Moehle, Keya Butler and Adalia Del Real all finished in the top four to punch their ticket to Columbia. They will compete at state on Feb. 23-24 at Mizzou Arena. “We’re really happy about having four qualifiers,” Grain Valley head coach Donald Horner said. “This program keeps growing. I am excited to see what we do in two weeks and what we do in the future.” Grain Valley finished sixth out of 22 teams at districts with 95.5 points. Fort Osage won it with 162. Aumua (140) and Del Real (155) led the Eagles by winning their respective brackets. Aumua, a No. 1-ranked wrestlers who is a two-time defending state champion, proved why she is the favorite to win a third championship. She pinned Northtown freshman Emory Nessa in 35 seconds in the semifinals before putting away Blue Springs sophomore Ari Bartholomew in 25 seconds by fall in the finals to take first. “Sometimes my goal is to (get a pin as fast as possible),” Aumua said. “Later on in the season, I want to get my matches done faster. I sometimes try to get takedowns and try new things and then get to my pin.” Del Real will make her first trip to the state tournament this season as she rolled through her bracket. She earned a 17-0 tech fall in the semifinals and ended her day with a 12-3 major decision over Oak Park sophomore Bailee Wardlow in the championship bout. “I am excited to be able to face some new opponents at state, but I am kind of nervous,” Del Real said. “I am getting more takedowns and getting up from bottom more than I did last season.” Perhaps the biggest surprise among the qualifiers was Butler (145), who wrestled for the first time in her entire life this season. She won 10-2 in the first round and pinned St. Joseph Central freshman Ella Mae Cready to make it to the semifinals. She fell to Raytown South senior Zayla Vann by pin and went on to the consolation bracket to face Fort Osage freshman Anita Bertling in the bubble match, which determined who would qualify for state. She edged Bertling 4-2 to advance to the third-place bout. She was pinned by Winnetonka sophomore Emma Crockett in the second period. “When I am down at practice or before a match my teammates helped me get better at things,” Butler said. “That helped me about worrying about the things I wasn’t doing. They pushed me to get better.” “When I first started, I thought I would win maybe one or two matches, but I just got better throughout the season.” Horner heaped praise onto Butler following her big day. “She’s athletic and she’s coachable,” Horner said. “She comes in with a good attitude. She has everything that you would want.” Moehle qualified for state by finishing second in the 235-pound bracket. She advanced to the finals by getting pins in three matches, including one in 1:47 against Fort Osage sophomore Ayden Vaeao in the semifinals. In the championship bout, she fell 4-2 to Liberty sophomore Alexis Stinson in sudden victory. Photo credit: Grain Valley Wrestling via X.
by Michael Smith The Grain Valley girls basketball team is starting to get hot at the right time. With the district tournament less than three weeks away, the Eagles have been on a winning streak. They got a big win over Suburban White Conference rival 67-52 and continued their momentum into Thursday’s road game against Raytown. Twelve different Eagles scored at least two points as they dominated in a 76-25 victory, extending their winning streak to four games. Grain Valley head coach Randy Draper was able to empty his bench midway through the third period when it held a 56-22 lead. The team pressured Raytown, leading to multiple turnovers and points in transition. “It’s hard to play basketball at Grain Valley, we have a lot of good players,” Draper said. “Our bench players got to show what they could do in this game and several of them scored and that’s always fun.” Junior swingman Nevaeh Clausen, who also plays for the junior varsity team, scored right points of the bench. Senior guard Emma Thiessen also got in on the action. Normally a pass-first player, Thiessen got up some shots in the second half and ended up with 10 points, including two 3-pointers, which drew loud cheers and claps from the other Eagles on the bench. “We have been pushing her to shoot it because she can,” Draper said. “She’s getting more comfortable in games. One of the reasons we left her in the game, if you listen, she helps organize everyone on the floor.” Grain Valley stormed out to a 30-7 at the end of the first period and went into halftime up 50-17. Junior Camryn Kelly led all scorers with 16 points, which included four 3-pointers, all in the first half. Senior forward Meghan Knust added 10, which included a pair of treys for the Eagles (14-6, 5-1 conference). “She just knows how to play,” Draper said of Knust. “She knows how to play and she can see the floor. She stretched the defense out today by hitting a couple of threes. She’s a really skilled player.” Grain Valley sophomore Upper Harrison drives by Raytown senior Taomi Golden. Photo credit: Michael Smith Grain Valley senior forward Meghan Knust drives to get left around a Raytown defender during a 76-25 blowout of the Blue Jays Thursday on the road. Knust scored 10 points. Photo credit: Michael Smith
by Michael Smith Grain Valley senior Justin Deweese has been a consistent wrestler for the Grain Valley wrestling program. He had a breakthrough season as a sophomore, placing third in the 160-pound weight class in the Class 4 District 4 tournament, which qualified him for the state tournament for the first time. That season, he had 32 wins. A year ago, he qualified for the state tournament for the second time and ended his 2022-23 campaign with 28 victories. As a freshman he had 20 wins while bouncing back and forth between the junior varsity and varsity squads. In Saturday’s tri dual against Fort Osage and Blue Springs South, he reached a significant milestone. He notched his 100th career win after he pinned South’s August Kienast in 3 minutes and 10 seconds as he helped Grain Valley take a 42-36 victory against the Jaguars Wednesday at Blue Springs South High School. The Eagles lost their other dual against Fort Osage 51-21. Deweese (165 pounds) was one of four Eagles to finish 2-0 on the day. He also had a pin of Fort Osage’s Paxton Onka in 45 seconds. “You just have to work hard for it if you really want it,” Deweese said of the milestone. Grain Valley head coach Donald Horner said Deweese has put in the work to reach this milestone. “I am always happy for him,” Horner said. “He’s definitely been someone we can depend on. He shows up every day at practice and goes to every dual and every tournament. He never complains and does all the right things. “He has a great sweep single. He gets his head inside and really cuts the corner and he’s extremely tough on top.” That showed in both of Deweese’s matches. “I got my legs in and got the half,” Deweese said of his pin against Kienast. “I got around his head and got my hips out and was able to get the pin.” Like Deweese, senior Jace Worthington (175) was dominant. He pinned South’s Bryden Greenfield in 32 seconds and Fort Osage’s Eden Reed in 51 seconds. “I was really trying to push the pace for my last dual as a high school wrestler,” Worthington said. “I wanted to make it memorable.” Other Eagles wrestlers who completed the day unbeaten were sophomore Zac Bleess (120), who earned a 6-3 victory against Fort’s Tony Martinez and had a forfeit win against South; and Gavin Barker (215) had two wins by forfeit. Girls Like the boys team, the girls split their duals at Blue Springs South High School, defeating the Jaguars 42-21 and falling to the Indians 50-23. Senior Keya Butler (145), who is wrestling this season for the first time ever, was one of four Grain Valley girls wrestlers to finish the day 2-0. She had a pin and a forfeit victory. “I was kind of nervous, but I have been doing pretty good,” Butler said. “It was really hard at first and I thought I was never going to get anyone pinned but I learned to trust myself and the season has gone pretty well.” Sophomore Adalia Del Real (155) had a pair of impressive wins Wednesday as she pinned both Fort’s Princess Mueller and South’s Kadence Burnside. “I mainly worked the cradles today and I also used to use a basic half (nelson),” Del Real said. Sevreign Aumua (140) and Jayden Moehle also ended the day unbeaten. Aumua had a 16-1 tech fall and a forfeit win and Moehle had a pin and a forfeit victory. Grain Valley senior Justin Deweese notched his 100th career win after pinning Blue Springs South senior August Kienast in 3:10 at a tri dual Wednesday at Blue Springs South High School. He also pinned Fort Osage 's Paxton Onka. Photo credit: Michael Smith
by Michael Smith The Grain Valley girls basketball team has a strength it likes to take advantage of. The Eagles are an above average 3-point shooting team and have multiple players who shoot well from the perimeter. That was on full display in Monday’s Suburban White Conference contest with William Chrisman. Grain Valley made 11 threes and had a stellar defensive performance in a 75-36 rout of the Bears at home. “I think our selection on the threes we were taking was good,” Grain Valley head coach Randy Draper said. “We are starting to play a little bit and we have been making some great strides the last two weeks.” Junior guard Camryn Kelly and sophomore swingman Addy Seifert both had four 3-pointers each, with the later having a team-high 17 points and the latter chipping in with 15. With Chrisman packing the paint, there were ample opportunities for the Eagles (12-6, 3-1 conference) to get open 3-point shots. Seyfert said the 3-point shot is something that she practices frequently. “We always talked about having a game where we would both be on with our shots,” Seyfert said of herself and Kelly. “We finally had that today and it feels good.” “It’s always part of our gameplan to shoot threes. We have good shooters on the team.” Kelly, who is adept at burying threes, was left wide open on a pair of occasions and made the Bears pay. “When people leave me open, I think, ‘All right. You’re giving me the opportunity to shoot it, I am going to.’ If you are going to lay off me like you’re not respecting my shot. I will prove that you need to guard me close.’” Grain Valley dominated throughout, leading Chrisman (6-11, 1-3) 24-12 at the end of the first period and extending the lead to 37-23 at halftime. Seyfert and Kelly combined for 18 points in the first 16 minutes to provide a boost for their team. The Eagles then really got going in the third when they made six treys as a team. Seyfert and Kelly had two each and senior Emma Jane Ogle and sophomore Pyper Hartigan each had one. The Eagles also had plenty of health from players aside from Kelly and Seyfert on offense. Freshman Madison Rust and sophomore Aspen Reed had eight points each, Ogle chipped in with seven and senior Meghan Knust and Hartigan added six each. Rust was inserted into the Grain Valley lineup during the Rolla Tournament in late December and has been a key contributor for the Eagles ever since. “Her maturity and her calmness she plays with helps the team slow down and get into the groove of the game,” Kelly said. “We can get kickouts with her on the floor because she’s so calm and collected when she handles the ball. She’s a great point guard and has a great IQ.” Grain Valley got it done on the defensive end, as well, forcing 23 Chrisman turnovers. “We didn’t block out as good as we needed to, but I was pleased with everything else.” Draper said. Caption: Sophomore swingman Addy Seyfert puts up a left-handed layup with Chrisman junior Zoey Vasquez following close behind during a 75-36 victory Monday at home. Seyfert made four 3-pointers and scored 15 points for the Eagles. Photo credit: Clara Jaques
by Michael Smith The 2023-24 version of the Grain Valley girls swim team is arguably the best in the six-year history of the program. Last Saturday, the Eagles had their biggest win in team history when they beat out 13 other teams to take first place with 454 points. Not only that, but nine school records have been broken this season and have times in 10 different events that would qualify for an entry into the Missouri State High School Girls Swimming and Diving Championships in February. While Grain Valley head coach Julie Reilly and her girls admit the team doesn’t have the numbers to compete for a state trophy, this could be a year the Eagles make some noise and have some girls earn all-state or honorable mention honors. “I think this group of girls is amazing,” Reilly said. “I don’t know if it’s the best, but it probably is. They all want it.” The 200 and 400 free relay teams are standing out for the Eagles as each of them are currently seeded seventh among all teams in the state in Class 1. The 200 free relay team of Katelyn Epple, Kalli Beard, Riley Wade and Jay’me Whitley currently have a season-best time of 1:44.75, which was the first-place time at the Belton Invitational. The 400 free relay team of Ellie Martin, Beard, Emily Holzworth and Epple had their season best time at the Belton Invitational with a time of 3:48.60. “I have a lot of faith in our relays,” Beard said. “They are my favorite events to swim in. We work really well together.” If the Eagles relay teams can stay in the top eight at the state meet, they would finish high enough for an all-state honor, given to the top eight finishers of each event. The Grain Valley 200 medley relay team is also an event it could excel at during the state competition. It’s currently seeded at No. 14 with a season-best time of 1:59.85. Reilly noted that continuity is a big factor in the success of the relay teams as many of the swimmers competed on the relay teams last season. Relays are events which require good teamwork and timing of dives once one swimmer is finished with their leg of the race. “We have had some time to build it up and they want it a little bit this year,” Reilly said. For the individual events, the Eagles have four swimmers who have times good enough to qualify for state in seven different events. The top 32 times qualify and swimmers can only compete in two individual events at the state meet. Beard currently has times good enough to qualify in the 50 free (25.82 seconds, No. 24 seed) and the 100 butterfly (1:02.89, No. 22 seed). Last season, Beard made it to the finals of the 100 butterfly at state and hopes to repeat that feat this season. “Hopefully I will rank higher than I did last season,” Beard said. Martin is in a good position to push for an all-state honorable mention time at state as she is in the top 20 in two different events. She is ranked 20th in the 200 individual medley with a season-best time of 2:18.25 and is the No. 15 seed in the 500 free with a time of 5:33.43. “I saw a lot of time drops at the Belton Invitational which helped move me up in the rankings,” Martin said. “I am really thinking I am going to improve as the season goes and I can’t wait to see what happens.” Epple said she didn’t make it to the finals for either of her events last season, but will push to do that this time around. She is currently ranked No. 31 in the 100 free with a time of 56.64 seconds and is 19th in the 200 free at 2:04. Wade also has a state consideration time in the 100 breaststroke as she is currently seeded 25th with a time of 1:15.07. “I think any of those girls could be top 16 or higher (at state),” Reilly said. “Our relays could be in the top 16 and two of them could end up in the top eight.” Grain Valley will compete in the Suburban White Conference Championships at 1 p.m. Feb. 3. From left, Grain Valley swimmers Katelyn Epple, Kalli Beard and Ellie Martin all have times in two events each that would qualify them for the state meet for the 2023-24 season. They are also a part of the Eagles 200 free and 400 free relay teams which are seeded seventh in the state. Photo credit: Michael Smith
by Michael Smith The Grain Valley boys basketball team may have had their best offensive performance of the season. The Eagles took on Fort Osage in the third-place game of the Grain Valley Invitational and looked like a well-oiled machine on offense. Cuts and screens led to wide open shots behind the 3-point line or an open look right at the basket in the second half. Not only that, but seven players scored at least six points and three of them had double figures in Grain Valley’s 67-48 victory Friday at home. “Coach told us that this was the best team and the best offensive basketball we have played this season,” Grain Valley senior forward Stylz Blackmon said. “It was very entertaining for him to watch, he said. Just watching us being able to orchestrate our offense for an entire 32 minute game, is something he’s been waiting for us to do.” Grain Valley (10-7) was tied with the Indians 15-15 at the end of the first period and dominated from there. The Eagles outscored Fort Osage 20-10 in the second period to take a 35-25 lead into halftime. “They went to the zone at one point and we were able to dismantle that.” Blackmon dominated in the first half, scoring 13 of his game-high 19 points and junior Aaron Barr chipped in with nine points in the first 16 minutes. Grain Valley then started to run away with it in the third by extending the lead to 54-37. The team ran the offense well and used organized plays to find easy looks. In that period, a pick and pop set up by sophomore Eli Herbert led to a wide-open three from the right wing that he buried. Herbert also made an open layup on a back cut and a pin-down screen from Blackmon opened up a cutting lane for senior Logan Marcum, who put in an open layup. In the fourth, the Indians didn’t get any closer than 14 points as the Eagles continued to get it done on the offensive end. Senior Jackson Schoen threaded a bounced pass through a tight window to hit a cutting Herbert, who converted on a conventional 3-point play after making a layup. Senior Matthew Leonard also had an assist in which he found Schoen cutting baseline for an open layup. “We did a great job having balance,” Grain Valley head coach Andy Herbert said. “We’ve found that groove and rhythm on how everyone is going to get theirs. We executed well. We laughed because we talked about how earlier in the year, we couldn’t even set up a play. “There was the back cut Eli got that led to the and-one, we have worked on that all year. (That play) hasn’t gone well in the past.” Andy Herbert noted his team looked better on defense in the second half and that was especially apparent on a play Leonard made midway through the fourth. He blocked the shot of Fort Osage’s 6-foot-2 forward Grayson Harris, rifled a pass to Marcum on the fast break, which led to another basket for the Eagles. “I don’t know how tall he is, he’s 5-8, 5-9 or 5-10,” Herbert said of Leonard, “but he’s an explosive athlete and he can get off the ground quickly and he’s smart. He’s the unsung hero of this group.” Barr and Herbert each added 13 points apiece for the Eagles and Marcum and sophomore forward Samuel Pendergrass added seven each. Grain Valley senior forward Stylz Blackmon goes up for a layup while his shot is being contested by a pair of Fort Osage defenders during a 67-48 victory Friday at home. Photo credit: Clara Jaques Grain Valley sophomore Eli Herbert drives baseline for a layup attempt. Photo credit: Clara Jaques
by Michael Smith Any basketball team led by veteran head coach Randy Draper is going to play fast. His teams often use a full-court press to force turnovers and often will push the pace on offense to score before the opposing defense can get set. That’s what happened in Friday’s non-conference matchup with Kearney as Grain Valley’s suffocating defense and fast-paced offense led to a 56-27 victory at Kearney High School. “That’s when we are at our best,” Draper said of when his team pushes the pace on offense. I love our defense, it adds to the pace of play.” Grain Valley led Kearney 16-2 at the end of the first period and cruised from there as Kelly scored eight of her game-high 17 points. The Eagles then scored seven points following Kearney turnovers in the second period which led to a 30-13 halftime lead. “We had a lot of backside help,” Kelly said. “Whether it was me or Finley (LaForge) helping trap Aspen in the middle there was always help when a girl would cut through the middle. Our posts Meghan (Knust) and Addy (Seyfert) were always there to come down and get any pass that’s thrown over.” “We also got into their heads by scoring and not letting them score.” In that period, freshman Madison Rust scored all nine of her points to provide her team a boost. Draper recently inserted her into the rotation and she has proven to be a quality player off the bench. “She’s a highly skilled player,” Draper said of Rust. “She is getting used to the pace of play and her ceiling is really high.” Grain Valley (9-5) really pushed the pace in the third period. In the first five possessions, the Eagles got a shot up in seven seconds or less following either a turnover or a defensive rebound. Sophomore swingman Aspen Reed was the beneficiary of that as she scored 10 points in the period to extend the lead to 49-23. “We had almost two weeks off at the beginning of the month,” Kelly said. “We have a drill where we have to get the ball down and back in 10 seconds and the ball can’t touch the ground. It contributes to our pace in games.” Draper then emptied the bench in the fourth quarter as all 12 players on the varsity roster received playing time. “Our bench did a really good job,” Draper said. “Our energy level was a lot better than it was the other night (a 54-43 loss to Platte County Tuesday). We needed to play like this.” Sophomore Aspen Reed, left, and junior Camryn Kelly combined to score 28 points in Grain Valley's 56-27 win against Kearney Friday at Kearney High School. Photo credit: Michael Smith Grain Valley freshman Addison Rust rises up for a jump shot while two Kearney defenders swarm her. Photo credit: Michael Smith Grain Valley sophomore Addy Seyfert drives by Kearney sophomore Brooke Paalhar, left, and senior Grace Bomar for a layup attempt. Photo credit: Michael Smith
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