HERBERT SCORES SCHOOL RECORD 44 POINTs IN WIN OVER FORT OSAGE

1/29/2025

by Bill Althaus

Eli Herbert enjoyed the greatest single-game scoring performance in Grain Valley High School basketball history Tuesday night, and the Eagles needed each of his 44 points to top Fort Osage 64-58 at the Grain Valley Invitational.

"The best thing about Eli's performance tonight," said coach Andy Herbert, Eli's father, "is that we needed those points to beat Fort Osage. It was a gritty game, and both teams played well. And when we needed a big shot, someone came through for us."

Eli finished with eight 3-pointers and broke the single-game scoring record that was established in 1978.

"I was born in 1978," Coach Herbert quipped, "so I know that is an old record!"

One of Eli's biggest baskets of the night came with 3:51 left in the fourth quarter. Grain Valley trailed 52-49 when the junior guard connected on a long-range 3-pointer and was fouled.

He hit the free throw to make the score 53-52. But the Indians tank was still full as Jax Navarro hit a layup and Isaac Woodward followed with an offensive rebound and basket to give the Indians a 56-53 lead.

That's when - who else? - Herbert hit his second consecutive 3-pointer and that set the tone for a roller-coaster-ride of the final two minutes of play.

Fort Osage's Jon Ross hit two free throws to tie the game at 58-58. Herbert then hit a basket and two free throws and Aaron Barr hit both of his free throws at :09 to seal the win.

"It was a heckuva game, two teams really going after each other," Indians coach Josh Wilson said. "Even though we lost I can appreciate all we did, and you have to take your hat off to Eli. That is one of the greatest shooting performance's I've ever seen. And I have so much respect for Andy and his kids. Win or lose, it was a great night for high school basketball."

Dom Soto and Isaac Woodward finished tied for the team high with 17 points. Woodward, going against the Eagles' two-headed-monster in the paint - Sam Pendergrass and Kevin Johnson - added 14 boards.

"This is the first time since I've been on the team we've played them close," Soto said. "Eli never seemed to miss tonight, and I was so proud of all our team. We'd take a lead, then they'd take it back - mostly because of Eli."

Woodward added, "This was a great game. I wish we would have won, but we worked hard and made a game of it. And Eli always seemed to have a hand in his face, and he still made all his shots. He's such a great kid and a great player."

Navarro added 13 points for the 7-10 Indians.

"We've had this conversation many times," Coach Herbert said, "and I don't want to put added pressure on Eli or take away from all the things the rest of the guys did to help us win tonight. But there were moments when he'd hit one of those long 3-pointers and I'd look over at our student section and they'd just be looking, like, 'What did we just see?'

"I kind of felt the same way."