​Seyfert puts in 20 points to aid Eagles in 49-33 win over Indians

by Michael Smith
 
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Grain Valley junior Addy Seyfert is one of the best 3-point shooters in the Kansas City area for girls basketball.
 
That’s why veteran head coach Randy Draper draws up plays to help her get open looks from behind the arc. Those plays worked well in Friday’s Suburban White Conference matchup with Fort Osage.
 
She connected on four 3-pointers and put in a game-high 20 points to help the Eagles take a 49-33 victory at home.
 
Seyfert is a versatile offensive player who can score in a variety of ways. She can beat her defender off the dribble and score on the drive, she can post up smaller defenders and make baskets from the low block, she has a solid mid-range shot and she can knock down shots from behind the arc.
 
On Friday, Draper ran sets in which Seyfert would set an off-ball screen, then another player like Aspen Reed set another screen near the top of the circle, which would allow Seyfert to pop out behind the arc to get a side open look.
 
There were a pair of occasions where plays like that resulted in made 3-pointers for Seyfert. Her 3-pointer in the fourth quarter came off a dribble handoff action at the top of the key. Reed handed the ball to Seyfert, then immediately set a screen to allow the Eagles junior to get an open look, which she buried.
 
“She’s a great shooter and you like to get great shooters open,” Draper said. “Her teammates know it. They work to get her open.”
 
While, Seyfert powered the offense, Grain Valley’s suffocating defense allowed Fort Osage to score just 11 points in the first half. In the second half, the Eagles came away with nine steals and that defense allowed for Grain Valley to hold a double-digit lead for the final 16 minutes
 
“I like getting the ball off the move,” Seyfert said. “I practice shooting a lot off the move. We run a lot of plays where I come off of screens. When I can get a quick shot, that is my best shot.”
 
“Our defense really saved us when we were trying to get everything together offensively,” Draper said. “When you hold a team to 11 points in the first half, your chances of winning go way up.”
 
Sophomore swingman Bella Bollinger was one player and who stood out on defense who made it difficult for Indians to get by her on the dribble drive as she moved her feet well and she was also a tough rebounder near the basket and had an impressive steal where she dove for the ball and started a fast break in the fourth quarter.
 
“Bollinger has played the best that she has played all year,” Draper said. “She has really been improving. She got some rebounds in traffic.”
 
Seyfert scored seven of Grain Valley’s 10 first quarter points as it led 10-5 going into the second period. Senior Camryn Kelly and sophomore Madison Rust combined for nine points in the second half as Grain Valley went into halftime up 22-11.
 
The Eagles continued to keep the Indians at arm’s length as they led 35-25 after three period before closing it out in the fourth, outscoring Fort Osage 14-8.
 
Kelly added nine points and Rust chipped in with eight for the Eagles.

​Grain Valley junior Addy Seyfert, left, unleashes a 3-pointer during a 49-33 win over Fort Osage Friday at home. Seyfert have four 3-pointers and scores a game-high 20 points. Photo credit: Michael Smith
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Grain Valley senior Camryn Kelly looks for an open teammate while getting defended by Fort Osage guard Ragan Filmore. Photo credit: Michael Smith