Grain Valley Boys Tennis ready for season

by Bill Althaus, Grain Valley News


The wind was howling Tuesday morning at Grain Valley High School where coach Randy Draper and his longtime tennis liaison/chief meteorologist/assistant coach Ryan Adams were keeping a close eye on the action.

Each court was filled with hard-working players who hope to make either the varsity or junior varsity teams this season, and they weren't going to let gusts of 40 mph winds be a distraction. 

Two players who are familiar with Missouri's spring winds are seniors Trace Compton and John Cassidy, who used some blustery weather to their advantage last season.

"We played Blue Springs South last year, in the craziest match I've ever been in," Compton said. "But like today, we'd practiced in the wind and Coach is never going to cancel a practice for the wind - and we won a close match because we knew how to play in those situations.

"It's Missouri. It's the spring. You have to be ready for anything weather wise."

Cassidy grinned when asked about playing in the spring.

"You better be ready for anything when it comes to the weather," Cassidy said. "It was a crazy practice this morning because of the wind, but well know it's good for us because we'll face these same conditions this season. Coach Draper wan't use prepared for anything - that's why he is such a great coach."

This is Draper's 15th year as the boys head coach (he took three years off to watch his son Michael play collegiately). It's the 18th year for Adams, his longtime friend and assistant.

"We've added a new title to Ryan's resume," Draper said, chuckling. "He started out as our tennis liaison. He does all the things we need - like keeping score, knowing our record and answering all the questions I don't know the answer to.

"This year, he's also our chief meteorologist. He said we can expect some snow Wednesday, and I believe him. Oh, and he's the best guy you could ever have on your staff. We're so lucky to have him since Day 1. He's an important part of our program."

Adams is one of those behind-the-scenes coaches who provides youngsters with the work ethic and knowledge that helps make the Eagles varsity programs so successful.

He is the eighth-grade head football coach, Draper's assistant on the girls basketball team, and the longtime varsity tennis assistant.

"I love coaching, and I love coaching with Randy," Adams said. "He inspires me the same way he inspires his players."

And two of the most inspired players are Cassidy and Compton.

"Those two guys spend so much time at our courts that we have their mail delivered down here," Draper said. "And that's the type of dedication and work ethic you need to be a part of our team. I think that this year, we have more depth than depth than with any team I've coached.

"The competition is there - and you're going to know why you're a top six or eight player - or why you're not. It's up to them. We have some tough decisions to make, but that also will be a reason we should have a lot of success this season."

Both Compton and Cummings first started playing tennis their freshman year and last year, Compton teamed with Ben Drinkwater, who graduated, at the state tennis championship.

"I've played a lot of sports," Cassidy said, "but now, I just play tennis and am part of the school's marching drum line. I really felt comfortable and confident on the court between my freshman and sophomore seasons. Now, I'm a senior and I can't believe it.

"I know this is my last season with our team and I want to make it count."

Compton said his older brothers played tennis and taught him about the game before he arrived at the high school.

"My brothers taught me so much," Compton said. "This team and our coaches are so important to me. Even if the weather is crazy, I wouldn't trade being on this team for anything. And now that I'm a senior, I'm excited about another great year."

They won't have long to wait as the Eagles play at Lee's Summit West next Tuesday and in a doubles tournament at Lee's Summit North Wednesday. 

"It's going to get real busy, real fast," Draper said. "And we're all ready to go."

Grain Valley tennis liaison/chief meteorologist and coach Ryan Adams, from left, seniors John Cassidy and Trace Compton and head coach Randy Draper ignore the 40 mph winds at the high school for a post-practice visit Tuesday morning. Photo credit: Bill Althaus
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