Sanchez has night to remember in rout of Indians

​by Michael Smith

     It was another game and another 30-point performance from junior Grace Slaughter.
     The all-state junior poured in 34 points to lead Grain Valley to a 12-2 record and a 60-24 drubbing of Fort Osage in Friday’s girls basketball contest at home.
     Slaughter scored 19 points in the first to help the Eagles take a commanding 25-10 lead going into the second period. Her dominant performance didn’t allow for Fort Osage to get any closer than 15 points for the rest of the contest.
     Because Grain Valley had a big lead throughout, that allowed some Eagles reserves to get playing time that they may not get in a closer game.
     That helped make it a special night for the Eagles lone senior, Elena Sanchez. She scored six points and grabbed a handful of rebounds as she got to play significant minutes on Senior Night.
     “It felt really good. I haven’t played in a little bit,” Sanchez said. “Even though I messed up a few times. It feels good to run and push up against some girls.”
     She also got to share the floor with Slaughter in a game, which gave her the best view of one of the best players in the state.
     “It’s almost like watching an NBA player,” Sanchez said of watching Slaughter play. “She’s such a good player. I look up to her even though she’s younger than me. I go home and practice the moves she does because I want to be like her. She’s also super sweet.”
     Grain Valley head coach Randy Draper said he was able to get Sanchez into the game and watch her succeed.
     “She’s a good basketball player and she got a chance to show that,” Draper said. “That was fun to see and our kids really appreciate her. It was a great night for her.”
     Other players who normally don’t see a lot of playing time got to step onto the floor like freshman Pyper Hartigan, Camryn Kelly, Keyonna Bullock and Ava Bollinger.
     “We got a lot of people that can play,” Draper said. “Our team is really good. You have to be a heck of a player to get playing time on this team.”
     While several Eagles got to see the floor, McKenah Sears got to show off her skills, as well. She played excellent defense and totaled three steals.
     “I have really worked on my defense this past year because Draper said we really need it, and he said if I wanted playing time, I had to work on that,” Sears said. “It helps when everyone else is on their man and playing the right defense. We just put in good work all together.”
     Grain Valley went into halftime up 36-17 and extended the advantage to 55-20 going into the fourth to start the turbo clock.
 

Senior Elena Sanchez racked up six points for the Eagles on Senior Night. 
“She’s a good basketball player and she got a chance to show that,” Draper said. “That was fun to see and our kids really appreciate her. It was a great night for her.”
Photo credit: Clara Jaques @saltyphotos

Grace Slaughter scored 19 points in the first to help the Eagles take a commanding 25-10 lead going into the second period.  Photo credit: Clara Jaques @saltyphotos

McKenah Sears drives to the basket. Photo credit: Michael Smith

Emma Jane Ogle starts to drive baseline. Photo credit: Michael Smith