​Long layoff doesn’t bother Eagles in 60-48 win over Pirates

by Michael Smith


It had been 12 days since the Grain Valley girls’ basketball team played a game.

Because of the Christmas break, the Eagles had a nine-day break before their game against Lee’s Summit North scheduled for Jan. 6 was cancelled due to inclement weather.

The Eagles finally got to play their first game in almost two weeks against Suburban White Conference rival Platte County Thursday at home. Despite the long layoff, Grain Valley didn’t miss a beat as they dominated the offensive glass and got out in transition often in the second half to earn a 60-48 victory at home.

Both teams were tied at 10 following the first period, but a six-point second quarter from junior Addy Seyfert helped her team go up 27-17 at halftime. In the second half, the Eagles’ scoring in transition and offensive rebounding helped them maintain a lead for the rest of the contest.

Senior Camryn Kelly had three steals and three fast-break layups in the third quarter. Midway through, she stole the ball from Platte County, made a layup and then immediately stole the inbound pass from the Pirates and put in a layup to give Grain Valley its biggest lead at 39-22.

“You couldn’t catch your breath,” Grain Valley head coach Randy Draper said of Kelly’s back-to-back steals and baskets. “Camryn was unbelievable. Our press was pretty good. We changed from D to O and O to D quick.”

Added Seyfert: “Our speed is a big strength and we sped them up. That is what won us the game I think. Our press brought up our pace.”

Kelly said she has struggled to score in recent games so she has focused more on the defensive side of her game. It paid dividends for the Eagles Thursday.

“My scoring hasn’t been as dramatic this year, so I have been trying to advance more aspects of my game. I am try to read when and where they are going to pass it and get deflections and tips.”

Sophomore Madison Rust also had two key putback layups and scored eight points in the paint as the Eagles went into the final period up 45-31.

“I notice in the games, especially against Platte, they have some taller girls, and they are down on the other side,” Rust said. “I usually attack the weak side and get the rebound and I go back up with it.”

Platte County made a run to start the fourth. It began the period outscoring the Eagles 13-6 and a 3-pointer from Lauren Stone, who had a game-high 25 points, helped Platte County slice the lead to 51-44 with 2:50 remaining in regulation.

On the ensuing possession Seyfert, who had been a consistent scorer for the Eagles, hit a big 3-pointer to put the Eagles back up by 10. They then dropped the dagger on Platte County’s chances of a comeback when Kelly got her sixth steal of the second half and she passed the ball up ahead to Rust who put in a transition bucket.

The win helped Grain Valley improve to 9-1 overall and 3-0 in the Suburban White Conference. Seyfert led the Eagles with 16 points, followed by Rust with 14 and Aspen Reed with 10.

“Addy and I talked about her scoring before the game,” Draper said. “She’s a great scorer and I think she can score more. She can shoot threes, she can shoot free throws, she can post you on the block. She’s just a really good player.”

Juniors Addy Seyfert, left, and Aspen Reed combined for 26 points to help the Grain Valley girls basketball team take a 60-48 victory over Platte County in Suburban White Conference play. Photo credit: Michael Smith