Grain Valley Boys clinch Suburban Conference chamPIONSHIP

3/2/2025

by Bill Althaus, Grain Valley News

One by one, members of the Grain Valley High School boys basketball team walked out of a Raytown High School classroom, where they were greeted by cheers and applause.

The Eagles boys basketball team and winning have been synonymous for more than three decades.

But the Eagles had never won a Suburban Conference championship, until they claimed a 74-53 victory at Raytown Friday night.

Both the Eagles and Blue Jays were tied for the conference lead with 12-1 records going into the regular-season finale.

Grain Valley took care of business as Eli Herbert scored 24 points, Aaron Barr added 19 and the rest of their teammates took care of the little things that lead to big victories.

"Let's get on the bus," said Eli Herbert, "we want to cut down some nets!"

Following the win, Coach Andy Herbert and his team returned to Grain Valley High School where they entered the gymnasium and cut down the nets to celebrate the milestone victory.

"We won 11 conference championships, and then moved to the Suburban Conference, where we struggled at times. That's why tonight is so special for all of us. And the best thing about tonight is that we won as a team. Everyone contributed, and that's what has made us a winning team this season."

The Eagles finished the regular season with a 16-8 record. Raytown finished with a 22-4 overall record and a 12-2 conference mark.

"It's been a long time since we won a conference championship," said Eli Herbert, the coach's son, "and that's why tonight is so special. We started the season 0-3, and didn't really know what was happening. But we never gave up, we kept working hard and now we're conference champions.

"We can't wait to get back to the high school and cut down the nets."

The game was oh-so-close for one quarter as the Eagles led the Blue Jays 15-13.

Every member of the Eagles starting lineup scored at least one basket and center Kevin Johnson came off the bench to hit a layup.

The Eagles scored 19 points in the second quarter and 28 in the third to take a commanding 62-33 lead into the final eight minutes of play.

"It's amazing to think back on our 0-3 start and see where we are now," Barr said. "We're playing as a team, as a family. And we're finally getting Eli some offensive support. Right now, (centers) Kevin Johnson and Sam Sam Pendergrass are scoring inside and dominating on both ends of the court with all their rebounds.

"I think we're playing our best team basketball of the season right now, and that's what you want to be doing as we head into the postseason."

Grain Valley, the No. 6 seed, will meet No. 3 seed Columbia Rock Bridge (18-7) at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Columbia Helias High School in Class 6 District 7 action.

"Our inside/outside is working, we're playng some offense, we've been a good defensive team most of the season," Coach Herbert said. "We're going to get in a few practices and we'll be ready for that bus ride to Columbia."

Members of the Grain Valley High School boys basketball team returned to their home gym after beating Raytown 74-53 Friday night on the Blue Jays home court. They cut down the netting on the baskets after winning their 12th conference championship; but it was the first since the Eagles moved to the Suburban Conference eight years ago. Grain Valley finished with a 13-1 record to win the Suburban White Conference. Photo credit: Grain Valley boys basketball