Grain Valley girls win Grain Valley Invitational

2/3/2025

by Bill Althaus

Revenge wasn't on the minds of the Grain Valley Eagles girls basketball team as they headed into Friday night's Grain Valley Invitational championship game against defending champion Chillicothe.

"We weren't really thinking about revenge, we just wanted to win the game," said guard Madison Rust, who led the Eagles with 19 points in a 57-38 win over the Hornets. "And I think we played our best game of the season. Everyone contributed. It's a good night to be an Eagle."

Coach Randy Draper agreed after his team improved to 16-1.

"Easily our best game of the season," Draper said. "Our inside/out game was outstanding and I want to credit everyone who was out there. Everyone contributed tonight."

While Rust was cutting through the Hornets defense in the paint, Addy Seyfert his six 3-pointers and finished with 18 points.

"This is a big win," Seyfert said. "There was a great atmosphere tonight and we really wanted to win this game. I think one of the keys to our win was our inside/out game. And we played great defense. After coming up short in the championship game last season, it's great to win tonight."

Aspen Reed, who joined Rust and Seyfert on the all-tournament game, said chemistry also played a role in the victory.

"When everyone contributes and plays like we did tonight, chemistry is so important," Reed said. "They're one of the best teams we've played this season and I think we showed everyone how well we can play when we play as a team."

Seyfert (9) and Rust (4) combined for 13 points in the first quarter as the Eagles led 13-9 after the first eight minutes of play.

Rust added nine points in the second quarter as the Eagles took a 29-19 lead into the half.

Reed scored all eight of her points in the third quarter as Grain Valley led 43-28 going into the final stanza.

"We just kept playing better and better as the game went on," Seyfert said. "We need to keep playing like we did tonight the rest of the season."

The 15-4 Hornets never scored more than 10 points in a quarter, and Draper lauded his team for its defensive effort.

"That's the way to play defense," Draper said. "We really played well in this tournament."