​Eagles offense explodes for 11 threes in rout of Bears

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.
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“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