DECEMBER 10, 2020
www.grainvalleynews.com
School Board To Decide On Second Semester Plans For Middle, High Schools Before Holiday Break Grain Valley Schools announced in a December 4th email to parents that a decision regarding the return of inperson hybrid learning for middle school and high school students for second semester is expected to be made by the school board prior to the Christmas Holiday break. Second semester begins January 25th. In the email, the district stated,
Vol. 3, No. 49
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Good News: Education Foundation Distributes Grants
“Whether or not any students are at school for their learning is a separate decision that depends on gating criteria, such as school substitute fill rates”. Parents will continue to have the option to elect 100% virtual instruction for their child. Once a decision is made and communicated for second semester, families will have until the end of the day on January 7th to select
The Grain Valley Education Foundation recently awarded three grants totaling $1905.26. The following projects received funding: " 'Seas' the Day: Splash into Oceans!", Wendy Davies, Gifted Education Teacher
for grades 3-8, based at Prairie Branch Elementary. The $470.00 grant will purchase 10 Spheros robots (similar to BB-8 from Star Wars) that can be programmed using coding skills and STEAM (science, technology, engineering,
see GRANTS on page 2
see SCHOOLS on page 2
Missouri Trivia by Marcia Napier, Grain Valley Historical Society What started in 1925 with a single strand of 16 colored lights has evolved into one of America's most famous Christmas lighting displays. Known simply as the Plaza lights, the first lighting ceremony took place
in 1930. The only time the Plaza lights were not turned on was in 1973, when then-President Richard Nixon called for curtailing the use of Christmas lights to reduce dependence on foreign oil. This year's 91st lighting ceremony will be remembered as the first and let's hope the only "virtual" event!
In This Edition:
Looking Back: Memories Of Tyer Road
3
Home & Garden: Enjoy December
7
Your Health: De-Stress Over The Holidays
8
Sports: Eagles Roll Past Roosters In Season Opener
11
Cover Photo: Santa continues his tour of Grain Valley on the Santa Bus. Photo credit: Melissa Struewe.
Sarah Malott and Tiffany Lane received a $685.41 grant to purchase Silhouette White Cameo 4 equipment for use by the Apparel, Textile and Fashions classes to create, market and sell the products that they make to students, staff and the community. Photo credit: Grain Valley Schools Please Note: Valley News will be on holiday break December 18—January 1st. The final issue of 2020 will be December 17th. We’ll see you January 7, 2021. Happy holidays!
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SCHOOLS
continued from page 1
the 100% virtual option for their child. The learning model for elementary and early childhood students will remain full in-person, except for days or weeks
GRANTS
The following information is derived from the Grain Valley Police Department
100% virtual is declared by the district due to gating criteria, such as substitute fill rates.
continued from page 1
art and math). "Slammo XL", Nick Leiker and Cris Byington, PE Teachers at South Middle School. The $749.85 grant will purchase equipment for Slammo, a 2-on-2 volleyball style game that combines athleticism and strategy while promoting hand/eye coordination and fitness. "Designing the Future", Sarah Malott and Tiffany Lane, Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers at Grain Valley High School. The $685.41 grant will purchase the Silhouette White Cameo 4 equipment for use by the Apparel, Textile and Fashions classes to create, market and sell the products that they
Police Blotter
make to students, staff and the community. These three grants will impact over 800 students in three buildings. Since the beginning of the school year, over $9,650 in classroom grants have been awarded. A second round of grants will be considered after January 1st, depending on the availability of funds. To make a contribution to the Education Foundation, visit https:// grainvalleyschools.networkforgood.com/ projects/97102-main-giving-page or contact Jerry Vaughan, Foundation Director at jvaughan@gvr5.net.
daily calls for service log for the week of November 18-24, 2020.
November 18, 2020 100 Block Amanda Ct 600 Block Charlotte 1000 Block Burr Oak 900 Block Ryan Rd 700 Block Main St BB Hwy & Eagles Pkwy 600 Block EE Kirby 3300 Block S Outer Rd Hoot Owl Estates Long and RD Mize Rd 600 Block Walnut
Disturbance Alarm Area Check Alarm Citizen Contact Found Missing Juvenile Disturbance Alarm Noise Complaint Parking Complaint Area Check
November 19, 2020 1000 Block Cross Creek Minter Way & Minter Rd Magnolia & Pecan 200 Block Kim Ct 1200 Block Scenic Dr 700 Block Main St 700 Block Main St 1200 Block RD Mize Rd 1200 Block RD Mize Rd 200 Block Cypress Rd 1300 Block Jefferson 600 Block Broadway
Suspicious Person Agency Assist (CJC) Suspicious Vehicle Citizen Contact Protection Order Violation Custody Exchange Citizen Contact Disturbance Civil Matter Disturbance Alarm Missing Juvenile
November 20, 2020 200 Block Lindsey Ln 700 Block Main St 1200 Block Granite 400 Block Chelsea Ln 1400 Block Mary Ct 700 Block Main St 100 Block Sunny Ln 100 Block Broadway
Citizen Contact Missing Adult Private Property Tow Agency Assist (OGPD) Parking Complaint Suspicious Vehicle Agency Assist (Health Department) Agency Assist (OGPD)
November 21, 2020 700 Block Main St 700 Block Main St 1600 Block Pin Oak 600 Block Woodbury Dr 100 Block Hudson 100 Block Armstrong 200 Block Kimberly Ct 200 Block Garden
Citizen Contact Citizen Contact Alarm Stealing Agency Assist (BPD) Citizen Contact Agency Assist (CJC) Check the Well Being
November 22, 2020 1200 Block Eagles 900 Blk Deer Creek Rd 700 Block Main St 400 Block Wolf Creek
Citizen Contact Disturbance Citizen Contact Parking Complaint
November 23, 2020 600 Blk Silverstone Cir 1200 Block Phelps Dr 600 Block Yennie 500 Block Broadway
Suspicious Vehicle Disturbance Suspicious Vehicle Parking Complaint
November 24, 2020 100 Block Main St Motor Vehicle Accident 1300 Block Jefferson Alarm Cross Creek & Eagles Area Check 1000 Block Deer Creek Dr Theft from Auto 200 Block Kim Ct Disturbance 2300 Blk Hedgewood Dr Assault 700 Block Main St Civil Standby Additional calls for the week: Suicidal subject: 2 Domestic violence: 1
Valley News Grain Valley News is a free community paper, published weekly on Thursdays online at www.grainvalleynews.com and on the 1st and 3rd weeks of the month in print. Cory Unrein | Co-Owner/Publisher John Unrein | Co-Owner/Production Manager Cathy Allie | Staff Writer, Proofreader John Overstreet | Contributing Photographer Mail: PO Box 2972 Grain Valley MO 64029 Phone: 816.809.7984 Email: news@grainvalleynews.com Join us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram: @grainvalleynews
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Looking Back
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Looking Back: Memories of Tyer Road by Marcia Napier, Grain Valley Historical Society I grew up in a much smaller Grain Valley when four school buses delivered everyone to and from school. By the time I reached high school the buses each had two routes. There was a longer route for kids in “the country” and a shorter route of maybe 5 or 6 miles for the kids that lived closer to town. Tyer Road was on one of the short bus routes that traveled from the school, turned west on RD Mize to Brizendine Road where it turned around and headed back east to Tyer Road. The bus turned north on Tyer to Duncan, west on Duncan to Porter Road where the bus would again turn around and head back to school. In all, the bus drove past only about 15 houses. Back in the early 1950s, only three of them were on Tyer Road between RD Mize Road and Duncan Road if you didn’t count the Shrout House on the northwest corner of Mize and Tyer. The Officer Family lived in the first house, (opposite of where the water tower is today) The bus picked up Linda Corne at the “Old Tyer Place” at the curve in the road and further down toward Duncan was Vickie Brown’s house. I really don’t remember her family but I think she had brothers. They didn’t live there very long. Luther Tyer’s parents were John Wilson Tyer (1839-1919) and Amanda Isabel George (1847-1879). They owned farmland with a post office address of Napoleon and Mr. Tyer was an officer at the Bank of Buckner. Amanda’s parents were David C. and Nancy George of Oak Grove.
Luther Wilson Tyer (1873-1945) was living at Lake City, Missouri in December of 1896 when he married Paulina Agnes Dalton (1874-1952). “Lina” was the daughter of Lucy (1842-1931) and Reverend James G. Dalton (1824-1910) who served as the pastor at Lobb Cumberland Presbyterian Church for over 50 years. Many members of the Dalton and Tyer families are buried in the Lobb Cemetery on the west side of Missouri Highway 7. At Strode Road go West ½ mile to Lobb Cemetery Road and then North ½ mile to the cemetery. According to the U.S. Census of 1910, Luther Tyer, his wife Lina and their infant son, Dalton Luther Tyer lived in Sni -A-Bar Township northwest of Grain Valley. Luther was a farmer and later a WPA carpenter. After Luther’s death in 1945 his wife moved to Chicago to live with their only son, Dalton. He was a teacher in the Chicago area for a number of years before his retirement in California. The Tyer house and land was first sold to a family named Shepard. Glen and Willa Belle Corne bought the house and land in 1953. Take a drive down Tyer Road. While a couple of the old houses are gone, the Tyer house is still there. It would appear that much of the farm land has been divided into 5 to 10-acre plots with more than 10 newer and much larger homes along the route. And that is all on the mile of Tyer Road before you reach Duncan Road!
Visit the Grain Valley Historical Society at 506 S. Main on Wednesdays or visit us online at ww.grainvalleyhistory.com and Facebook (@grainvalleyhistory).
Elmer and Ruby Duncan on their farm, circa 1966. Photo courtesy Grain Valley Historical Society Looking north from Tyer Road. Photo courtesy Grain Valley Historical Society
Business
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Annual Christmas Price Index Reflects Pandemic’s Economic Impacts (StatePoint) In a year marked by unprecedented shocks to the economy, PNC’s 37th annual Christmas Price Index (CPI) accounts for the pandemic’s impact on the cost of purchasing presents from the classic holiday song, “The 12 Days of Christmas.” A lighthearted take on the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ (BLS) Consumer Price Index, which measures the average change in prices for goods and services over time, the PNC version applies analysis to procuring “True Love’s” 12 gifts. This year’s index includes adjustments for the reality that many live performances have been cancelled. PNC calculated the 2020 price tag for the PNC Christmas Price Index at just $16,168.10, a considerable decrease of $22,825.45 or -58.5% over last year’s cost, with a third of the items literally not available for purchase this year. “In response to these unusual times, we took a non-traditional view in calculating the Christmas Price Index,” Amanda Agati, chief investment strategist for The PNC Financial Services Group said. “The biggest impact has been for live
performances, which are mostly unavailable. While some performing arts groups are engaging through virtual presentations, it’s a silent night at most symphonies and the lights have dimmed on many dance companies, as reflected in this year’s significant drop in PNC’s CPI data.” The annual tradition also includes calculating the “True Cost of Christmas,” which is the total cost of items when repeating all the song’s verses. Purchasing all 364 gifts will require $105,561.80, which means that spreading cheer throughout 2020 costs 38% less than in 2019, given the exclusion of live performances. For the full report, along with lessons consumers can learn from the pandemic’s economic impact, visit, pnc.com. 2020 has been anything but conventional for consumers, the markets and the economy, and this year’s Christmas Price Index most notably highlights the change with a season of silence for many live performers.
Business
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Community Voices
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Neighborhood View: Santa Bus
Grain Valley’s Santa Bus Schedule Change Santa announced a change to the Santa Bus schedule for the weekend of December 12th-13th. The route including areas bordered by Buckner Tarsney on the east, Sni-A-Bar on the north, and Cross Creek Drive on the west has been moved to December 20th starting at 11:00am. Upcoming routes for the Santa Bus include: Dec. 13th | 11:00 AM until approx. 7 PM Everything bordered by Buckner Tarsney on the east, by Sni A Bar on the south and west, and Eagles Pkwy (AA) on the north.
Baylee Struewe visited with Santa as he continues his tour of Grain Valley in the Santa Bus. Photo credit: Melissa Struewe
Xi Iota Phi Update by Linda Ebert Xi Iota Phi was ready and excited to resume meeting again in June after a hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Thanks to member Kim Meyers and husband Marty offering Meyers Funeral Home in Blue Springs, we were able to safely resume our monthly meetings. Coming off the long break since last March, there was a lot of business to cover. A welcome ceremony was held for returning member Lisa Addington and installation of officers was held in June. The last of our National Parks programs were given on Shenandoah National Park, facts on various other parks, and the Senior National Park Passes. In July the new theme, “Sisters by Choice”, was announced and the following members were recognized: Kim Meyers, Woman of the Year; Debbie
Woods and Karen Blau, perfect attendance; and Cathy Talley for program of the year. Our Secret Sisters were revealed and new names drawn. Service projects have included donations to Community Services League and Children’s Mercy East. Other programs have included: history of Table Rock Lake, Kansas City neighborhoods, a Grandmother’s 100 year-old cookbook, a Halloween craft, and past First Ladies. Social events have included: Yaya’s Alpaca Farm in Garden City, Watkins Mill, and Pref Tea with a program on the “Meaning of Sisterhood”. In October returning member, Karen LaJaunie, was welcomed back. After an unusual start, our chapter is looking forward to what the second half of our sorority year brings!
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Dec. 19th | 9:00 AM until approx. 7 PM Everything bordered by Cross Creek Dr on the east, Sni A Bar on the northeast, and Eagles Pkwy (AA) on the north. This annual tradition will be modified due to COVID-19. This year, children will greet Santa outside the bus, and Santa and his helpers will tossing stuffed toys and gifts to visiting children. Pictures with Santa will be allowed with social distancing in mind. Residents are asked to not gather in groups of more than 10 people. A full schedule and maps of Santa’s route can be found at www.gvsanta.com and on the GV Santa group on Facebook.
Home & Garden
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Enjoy December by Cathy Bylinowski, Horticulture Instructor, University of Missouri Extension Hello Gardeners! Perhaps some of the leaves have been raked up and other garden chores have been completed. Hopefully now you can set aside some time for rest and recharging during the winter days ahead. It has been a challenging year. Gardening provides a special kind of relaxation. It also provides the benefits of exercise, visually attractive plants and landscapes, and nutritious berries, fruit, herbs, and vegetables. Reading up on gardening ideas for 2021 is a good way to get ready for spring. University of Missouri Extension is a good source of reliable gardening information and provides a great deal of information for free on the websitehttps://extension.missouri.edu/ You can build your own profile and account based on your interests or you can start exploring the website by using
the search bar in the upper right corner or by clicking on the blue “Find Your Interest” bar on the left side of the webpage. Another way to gain gardening information is to read the free, monthly online newsletter called The Garden Spade. It is a collection of articles, pictures, and lists of garden activities appropriate to the season, put together by MU Extension Field Specialists in Horticulture. The December edition has articles on winter blooming house plants, winter crafts, and many other garden-related winter features. Here is a link to subscribe to the MU Extension Garden Spade newsletter- https://tinyurl.com/ yybrjrx3 If you are interested in growing vegetables and fruit for profit, you might be interested in a new
Solution to last week’s puzzle:
commercial horticulture newsletter. To register for the biweekly MU Extension Commercial Horticulture video newsletter, go to this link- https:// tinyurl.com/yxlk2wja MU Extension Field Specialists in Horticulture are still conducting free Horticulture Town Halls during the winter once a month. To register for the MU Extension Horticulture Town Hall, go to- https://ipm.missouri.edu/townhalls/ For Horticulture Town Hall video snippets (consider subscribing to this MU channel) go to- https:// www.youtube.com/user/MUIPM MU Extension provides another free, monthly newsletter via the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) page called Missouri Environment and Garden. Here is a subscription link which also includes links to past issues- https:// ipm.missouri.edu/MEG/ If you would like to explore more horticulture topics in depth and have an interest in volunteering, consider enrolling in Extension Master Gardener Training. Missouri Extension Master Gardeners’ motto is “helping others learn to grow”. After twelve or more training sessions on a wide range of horticulture topics, graduates agree to volunteer at demonstration gardens, with children’s gardening projects, public education, and other Extension Master Gardener volunteer activities. It is also possible to enroll in training for personal enrichment if you are not able to volunteer. This year, due to COVID 19 precautions, MU Extension- Jackson County offered Extension Master Gardener Training live on an online platform called Zoom. For more information on Extension Master Gardener Training in 2021 please contact our office at 816-482-5850. We have not made a final decision on how it will be offered in 2021 yet- in-person, virtually, or a combination of both, but we can add your name to a list to be contacted in the spring. Extension Master Gardener Training is also facilitated online twice a year by University of Missouri Horticulture faculty on campus. Here is a link for more information about that option: https://extension.missouri.edu/ programs/master-gardener Both Extension Master Gardener Training options offer a reduced fee for those who volunteer after training. A
Eastern Red Cedar Juniperus virginiana, and early snow, photo by Cathy Bylinowski, Horticulture Instructor, MU Extension, 2020
Jackson County, MO winter scene. Photo by Cathy Bylinowski, Horticulture Instructor, MU Extension. 2019 limited number of scholarships are also available. For people living outside of Jackson County, MO, we suggest you contact your local county MU Extension office for more information on Extension Master Gardener Training and the volunteer program in your area. Here is link to help you find your county’s MU Extension office- https:// extension.missouri.edu/locations Relax when you can and enjoy the winter season. Please feel free to contact me if you have any gardening questions, questions about the resources listed above, or questions about Extension Master Gardener Training. Happy Holidays! Cathy Bylinowski, Horticulture Instructor, bylinowskic@missouri.edu, University of Missouri Extension, 816-482-5850.
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Your Health
Page 8
De-Stress Over The Holidays by Tracey Shaffer, RDN, LD these lifestyle tips to relax and get a good night's rest. Meditation Meditation has been scientifically proven to help alleviate stress after just eight weeks of a regular practice. Meditation has been shown to ultimately reprogram the brain to become more open and less reactive and better able to cope when life’s stressors start accumulating. Not sure where to start?
For many of us, the holidays are as stressful as they are joyful. These weeks are filled with family gatherings, eating temptations and special occasions. Add COVID-19 to the mix and this holiday season’s stress levels may be at an alltime high. Stress can have serious repercussions on your health. If you are feeling the world on your shoulders, try some of
Try these tips: Simply sit or lie comfortably, close your eyes, breath naturally and focus your attention on your breath. Try to maintain this meditation practice for two to three minutes to start. Try a YouTube meditation video for at least 15 minutes and try to follow along before you go to bed or first thing when you wake up. Try an app. There are several apps such as Calm and Headspace that can help you start your meditation practice. Breathe in through your nose and exhale through your mouth slowly at least 6 times when you start to feel stress. Be Active Exercise is not only good for your
waistline and your heart, it is also one of the best ways to alleviate stress. The benefits are strongest when you exercise regularly. Exercise can also improve your sleep and a rested mind is a more peaceful mind. Think you have to go the gym and sweat it out? Not at all. Just go for a walk, dance or ride your bike. Any activity such as walking or jogging that involves repetitive movements of large muscle groups can be very stress relieving. Eat to Reduce Stress Foods can help reduce stress in many ways. They can help calm you by releasing serotonin, strengthen your immune system, and fight depression. Some of the best foods to combat stress are whole grains, citrus fruits, salmon or other foods high in Omega-3 fatty acids such as chia seeds or flaxseeds, nuts, dark leafy greens, avocados and warm beverages such as herbal tea. A diet full of salt, sugar and refined carbs can make coping with stress even worse. Whatever you choose to cope with stress this season, just remember that self-care is one of the best gifts you can give to fully enjoy the holiday season. Try this stress-relieving recipe:
Plants On Our Plate: Butternut Squash by Denise Sullivan, Field Specialist, Nutrition and Health, University of Missouri Extension While the onset of fall typically makes people think of pumpkins, the entire family of winter squash remind us of the change in seasons. This family of vegetables are uniquely beautiful with ribbed or bumpy skins, irregular shapes, and vibrant colors ranging from yellow to orange to dark green or even multitoned. In comparison to their summertime cousins, winter squashes have a denser texture and richer flavor with firm flesh that holds up well in hearty soups, stews, casseroles, breads, and desserts. Squash are members of the Cucurbitaceae family, commonly known as gourds, which makes them related to cucumbers, muskmelons and watermelons. Squash is one of the oldest known food crops, dating back at least 8,000 years. Archaeological remains have been found in ancient cliff dwellings in the southwestern United States and Mexico. Winter squash is known for its long keeping time, even several months, when kept in cool, dark environments. One of the most popular winter squash varieties is the bulbous shaped butternut squash. The creamy off-white
to tan skin contrasts sharply with the bright orange flesh, a clue to the high vitamin A content. Butternut squash is also rich in vitamin C, vitamin B6, protein, fiber, magnesium and potassium. While similar in flavor and texture as sweet potatoes, butternut squash has about half of the carbohydrate, so is a very popular choice among people managing diabetes. As a rich source of potassium, it is also a smart choice for someone managing high blood pressure. When selecting butternut squash, look for a firm, blemish free skin that feels heavy for its size. Avoid vegetables with wrinkled or soft spots. The rind should be very hard and difficult to pierce with your fingernail. With the hard rind, preparing this vegetable can be intimidating for those less familiar with this vegetable. As with any vegetable, begin by washing under warm water, using a brush to remove dirt and debris. The squash can be simply cut in half lengthwise, the seeds scooped out and oven roasted, similar to spaghetti squash, with the pulp scooped after roasting. To have cubed squash, cut off the stem and blossom ends, and cut the
squash in half, above where it rounds out. The two sections can now be easily peeled with a vegetable peeler, or if the intent is to stuff as part of the preparation, the rounded end can be left unpeeled. Each section can then be cut in half lengthwise, resulting in the solid ‘neck’ portion than can be cut into cubes, and the ‘bowl’ portion where the seeds are located. The seeds are then scooped out and can roasted like pumpkin seeds. At this point, the flesh can be cubed and either roasted, boiled or even eaten raw. I personally prefer roasting, as it brings out a richer, sweeter flavor that is suitable as a side dish on its own, pureed for baked goods like muffins, or in a soup like the recipe below.
MU Extension is a partnership of the University of Missouri campuses, Lincoln University, the people of Missouri through county extension councils, and the National Institute for Food and Agriculture of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Visit our website at: https:// extension2.missouri.edu/
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Balsamic Berry Vinaigrette Winter Salad Serves: 8 Ingredients: ¼ cup balsamic vinegar 2 tablespoons plain fat-free Greek yogurt 1 tablespoon sugar-free strawberry preserves 1 ½ teaspoons olive oil 1 teaspoon Dijon-style mustard 1 clove garlic, minced ¼ teaspoon kosher salt ⅛ teaspoon black pepper 3 cups fresh baby spinach 3 cups torn romaine lettuce 1 small cooking apple, such as Braeburn or Gala, thinly sliced ½ cup crumbled blue, feta, or goat cheese ½ cup pomegranate seeds ¼ cup walnuts, toasted Directions: For vinaigrette, in a small bowl whisk together vinegar, yogurt, preserves, oil, mustard, garlic, salt and pepper. In an extra-large serving bowl, combine spinach, romaine, apple, cheese, pomegranate seeds and walnuts. Drizzle with half of the vinaigrette; toss to coat. Pass the remaining vinaigrette. Nutrition: Serving Size: 1 cup Per Serving: 90 calories, 3 grams protein, 8 grams carbohydrate, 2 grams dietary fiber, 4.5 grams sugars, 5 grams fat. Recipe: EatingWell
Creamy Butternut Squash Soup 3 cups cubed butternut squash 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 tablespoon butter 1 fresh rosemary sprig ½ cup chopped onion 3 cups apples, peeled and chopped 1 teaspoon grated ginger ½ cup apple cider 3 cups chicken stock ¼ cup heavy cream Preheat oven to 425. Toss squash with olive oil and spread in an even layer on a baking sheet. Roast the squash until tender, about 20 minutes. Meanwhile, melt the butter over medium-low heat in a large stockpot. Add the rosemary, onion, apple and fresh ginger and toss to coat with the butter. Sauté onion and apple until softened but not browned, about 5 minutes. Add squash to pot and stir to combine. Add the apple cider and chicken broth and bring mixture to a boil. Turn down heat and simmer until vegetables are tender, 10-15 minutes, remove rosemary. Using an immersion blender, puree soup until you have reached a smooth but thick consistency. Add heavy cream and stir to blend and serve. **If desired, clean stringy flesh from the seeds and roast to serve as a garnish to the soup. Nutrition information: Calories: 247, Total Fat: 8.5g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Sodium: 132mg, Carbohydrates: 42g, Fiber: 6.5g, Protein: 5g Recipe adapted from The Daily Meal, analyzed by verywellfit.com
Sports
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Postseason Football Recognition Rolls In For Eagles by John Unrein It has been almost a month since the Grain Valley Eagles football team concluded their 10-2 season on November 20th in the quarterfinal state playoff round. The Eagles were suburban conference co-champions for their division as well as repeating as district champions, this year in Class 5, District 7. The accolades do not stop there though for Grain Valley and head football coach David Allie. The Eagles were honored with having seven 1st Team All-Conference selections, five 2nd Team All-Conference selections, and 13 Honorable Mention selections. The importance of this acknowledgment is significant as it is conducted by football coaches within the Suburban Conference who face off against each other and get to know their competition well. Allie shared what goes into the process of being an All-Conference honoree. “Each coach nominates players from their team they believe are deserving for All-Conference recognition. All the conference coaches meet and talk about their players, usually by position group, and then vote for the position,” Allie said. “Coaches cannot vote for their own players, and the results are compiled and based on the number of positions available, the vote tallies delineate the first and second teams. If a player receives at least one vote, but not enough to be on the first two teams, they receive Honorable mention honors.” Allie continued, “Special awards, such as ‘Athlete, Players of the Year, and Coach of the Year’ are voted on at the end of the meeting, in much the same manner; coaches nominate, the group discusses and then votes.” The following Grain Valley football team members were recognized with Suburban All-Conference selection. Offensive Player of the Year Quarterback Cole Keller, Senior Defensive Player of the Year Linebacker Hunter Newsom, Senior st
1 Team All-Conference Quarterback Cole Keller, Senior
Left: Senior Jack Bailey, 1st Team All-Conference Offensive Lineman. Center: Senior quarterback Cole Keller, Suburban Conference Offensive Player of the Year. Right: Senior Linebacker Hunter Newsom Suburban Conference Defensive Player of the Year. Photo credit: Valley News staff Running Back Jaxon Wyatt, Junior Wide Receiver Parker Bosserman, Senior Offensive Lineman Jack Bailey, Senior Offensive Lineman Landen Hinton, Senior Defensive Lineman Donovan McBride, Senior Linebacker Hunter Newsom, Senior 2nd Team All-Conference Running Back Hunter Newsom, Senior Defensive Lineman Josh McCoy, Senior Linebacker Zach Kirk, Senior Defensive Back Keegan Hart, Sophomore Defensive Back Cameron Mickelson, Senior Honorable Mention Offensive Lineman Connor Heitman, Sophomore Offensive Lineman Donovan McBride, Senior
Offensive Lineman Cooper Terry, Junior Wide Receiver Carter Day, Senior Wide Receiver Carter Vrlenich, Senior Tight End Parker Stone, Senior Returner Keegan Hart, Sophomore Kicker Austin Schmitt, Sophomore Defensive Lineman Quincy Jones, Senior Defensive Lineman Sawyer Farris, Junior Linebacker Jayden Jacobson, Senior Defensive Back Brayden Terry, Senior Punter Parker Bosserman, Senior Both Cole Keller and Hunter Newsom were also nominated for the Simone Award and Buck Buchanan Award, respectively. The Simone Award is entering its 33rd season and is given to the best allaround football player in the Kansas City area. The award originated in 1931 by Dr. Nigro and continued until his death in
1976. The award was reinstated by Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Simone as a tribute to their 12 year old son Tommy. The award is selected by a vote of the Greater Kansas City Football Coaches Association (GKCFCA), head coaches in the metro area, and other selected media members. The 24th Annual Buck Buchanan Memorial Award recognizes the top big class (MO 5-6, KS 5A-6A) in the Kansas City area. Junious “Buck” Buchanan was a defensive tackle for the Kansas City Chiefs dating back to the American Football League. Buchanan was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1990. Keller, Newsom, and Jack Bailey shared their thoughts on what the distinguishment means to them.
see EAGLES on page 12
Sports
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Lady Eagles Come Up Short Against Pirates by John Unrein The Grain Valley Lady Eagles basketball team dropped a close game late to the Belton Pirates on December 8th by a score of 37-33. Despite a strong effort by the Lady Eagles to obtain and extend their lead in the second and third quarters of the contest, it was not enough to hold of the surge by the Pirates who put up 20 of their 33 overall points in the second half in route to their win. Belton was led by forward Kyndal Lewis who scored 18 points. The athleticism on display by Lewis allowed her to be a dual threat in driving the lane and scoring underneath the basket. Play was stopped during the second half to honor Lewis in surpassing 1,000 career points at Belton. Grain Valley worked hard to turn the tide of momentum attained by Belton, with the Pirates going on a 12-2 run to start the game. Eagles sophomore point guard Grace Slaughter started her first game of the season and heated up from beyond the arc by scoring 9 points in the final four minutes of the 1st quarter. The Lady Eagles would continue to claw their way back due to adjustments made by Grain Valley head basketball coach Randy Draper. Grain Valley would rotate in and out of a 1-3-1 zone at the start of the second quarter. The defensive switch by Draper made Belton space the floor more offensively and permitted the Lady Eagles to play better help defense as Belton attacked the rim. Furthermore, Grain Valley also refused to give Belton easy looks at the basket and would commit fouls in making the Pirates earn points at the free throw line. Offensively, Draper also encouraged movement without the basketball through the lane in looking for open post players. This also opened windows for Slaughter to drive the baseline or shoot from behind the three point stripe based on if the Pirate defense collapsed to support down low. Slaughter would go on to score 19 points to team with her 4 rebounds and 1 steal. The paint would be patrolled by the Eagles with senior Gabbi Keim and sophomore Ella Clyman. Keim would produce 8 points in the post to go along with her 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals. Clyman would use footwork and body positioning to pull down 9 rebounds that helped contribute to her 4 points.
Both Slaughter and Clyman indicated a desire to get back into the gym after the loss and work to help the team improve. “Boxing out tonight was a collective team effort that helped me get a fair share of boards. The outcome wasn’t what we wanted tonight, but we never game up and tried our best until the end,” Clyman said. “We are going to get back in the gym and work even harder. We know what we need to work on after this game. We will come back excited to play them (Belton) again.” Slaughter added, “It felt great tonight to get back out there with my teammates. This was not the outcome we wanted, but Belton is an amazing team with a lot of talent. We will learn from this game, and that starts by what we do when get back to practice.” “My shot was there to start the game. During the second half it got kind of cold though. That’s alright because we started finding Ella and Gabbi more on the inside and they scored some layups.” “We will watch some film and push ourselves moving forward to get better.” Getting better was a mantra that Draper focused on as well after the game. Draper’s disappointment was tempered by his optimistic look of what the future potentially holds for his team this season. “We changed defensively during the game because we let them get to the basket too many times. Offensively, we need to find some ways to score more points. Part of that is us not being impatient or committing turnovers,” Draper said. “Clyman is physical and we count on her down low for her a rebounding presence. We will continue to find ways to get the five correct pieces on the floor as it is early in the season.” “Having Grace (Slaughter) back on the floor changes our team. In particular, the way we are guarded. She has to get her feet back under her, and she will as she is a great player.” Draper concluded, “I am ready to go back to practice and solve what pieces need to be on the floor together. I am confident as we move forward that we will improve as a team.” Grain Valley (0-2) will next host the Kearney Bulldogs at 7:00 pm on December 14th.
Senior forward Gabbi Keim scores a basket in the post. Photo credit: Valley News staff
Sophomore point guard Grace Slaughter attempts a reverse layup. Photo credit: Valley News staff
Sophomore forward Ella Clyman works to deny the passing lane on defense. Photo credit: Valley News staff
Sports
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Eagles Roll Past Roosters In Season Opener by John Unrein A jubilant Grain Valley locker room had reason to celebrate following their 59-36 victory over the Pleasant Hill Roosters on December 8th. The Eagles boys’ basketball team established the tone for the game early on by jumping into a full court press against the Roosters after the first made basket of the game, and not relenting from that point on. Offensive fireworks were provided by senior forward Cole Keller and sophomore guard Owen Herbert. The duo fueled the Eagles to the start the game on a 15-0 run. Keller filled the Grain Valley stat sheet by scoring 20 points, pulling down 13 rebounds, providing 4 assists, and 5 blocks. Equally as impressive was Herbert, who sank five three pointers in route to a 15 point outing in his first varsity basketball game. “I knew we would not be an experienced varsity team heading into the game tonight and I was interested in seeing what we got. Our ball distribution was good tonight, multiple people got to shoot, and most of time they went in. It was great to help contribute to a win,” Keller said. “This group is one hundred percent tight, without selfish personalities. That’s huge on a basketball team when you are talking success. We trust each other on offense and play hard on defense.” Herbert added, “I have been practicing my shot a lot. Reps have helped me get my timing and release point down. This was fun tonight.” Keller combined moving through the lane seamlessly to gain offensive positioning along with put backs from offensive rebounds to pile up his scoring total. Herbert would settle at a 45 degree angle on the wing beyond the arc once moving through his motion responsibilities on offense. Herbert’s confidence in his shooting touch was on display as the game progressed. This was important for the Eagles, as it gave them a counter to when Pleasant Hill would collapse their defense in the post against Keller. Sophomore forward Alex Snyder also made some noise in his first varsity start for the Eagles. Noticeable stress on the face of Snyder melted away as the game progressed, and adrenaline took over. Snyder would go on to score 6 points, grab 5 rebounds, pass for 2
assists, add 1 steal, and 1 block. “I was nervous to start the game. Once you start playing though, it all goes away. Being surrounded by teammates I can trust makes all the difference. Our ability to push the ball tonight in transition and guarding them tight was why we came out on top,” Snyder said. Snyder having a pulse on the Eagles win reflects work that has been done in practice by the Eagles during the summer and since the start of the winter season. Grain Valley’s ability to run the floor in transition lends itself to the timed competitive drills that head coach Andy Herbert often uses at the beginning of practice. The same can be said for the importance of communication when reading screens and closing out on defense. What is emphasized and pushed hard in practice is showing up as second nature on the court for a young Eagles roster. Herbert was as happy for his young team as he was about getting the win in his postgame comments. “We went press to open the game because I wanted to get our own jitters out. Flying around and making something happen is a good way to forget about being nervous. We did a pretty good job of that as a team tonight,” Herbert said. “This is a special group of kids in the way they do things. They are like minded and unselfish.” “Keller’s ability speaks for itself. What they can’t see is the leadership he provides in practice on a daily basis. He’s selfless for someone who has accomplished so much, in so many different areas.” “Owen (Herbert), that’s what he does from beyond the arc. We tell our kids to play in their box (role on the team), and that’s his box from the outside. He’s been a part of our program his whole life and it was great to get to seem him on the floor tonight.” Herbert concluded, “Alex (Snyder) is athletic. He can run and jump. His growth in maturity over the last year as a basketball player has provided us a second post option. He’s also relentless on the glass.” Grain Valley (1-0) will next host the Platte County Pirates at 7:00 pm on December 11th.
Senior forward Cole Keller scores a basket off a rebound. Photo credit: Valley News staff
Senior forward Keeton Maxon drives the lane for the Eagles. Photo credit: Valley News staff
Sophomore forward Alex Snyder attempts a free throw. Photo credit: Valley News staff
EAGLES continued from page 9 “When I heard the news (about the Simone nomination) I was honestly shocked. It’s just cool to see my name on the same list as so many other great football players,” Keller said. Newsom added, “I had just finished eating dinner and was headed back to my room to do some homework and chill out on my phone. I got a text from Coach Allie congratulating me on being announced as one of the semifinalists for the Buck Buchanan Award. I was really excited to share the news with my family.” “It was a huge honor to be recognized and to represent Grain Valley.” Bailey finished, “The All-Conference selection means so much. I’ve dreamed about playing football for Grain Valley since I was in elementary school. It was my goal to become someone that a little kid could look up to.” Allie is proud of the recognition for his program and what this group of seniors means to him. “This one of the most successful football classes to grace the halls of Grain Valley High School. We knew from when they were freshman that this class would be special. During their careers they played in three District
Championship games, winning two, and making the quarterfinals of Class 4 and Class 5 the past two years, respectively,” Allie said. “As sophomores, they led the change from the MRVC (Missouri River Valley Conference), and this year led us into the larger division in the conference, in addition to a larger state classification. Their overall record in high school was 33-14.” “There would have been no better group of experienced and mature young men to lead the Grain Valley Eagles during this unique season that was full of angst and uncertainty. When there were doubts if we would finish (or even start) the season, when nobody thought they could compete in Class 5, when obstacle after obstacle challenged their mental toughness, the class of 2021 took it in stride and never doubted themselves or their potential.” Allie concluded, “Their success on the field is a testimony to their dedication to the program and to their teammates. They truly lived up the mantra of #GVOWNIT.”
G R A I N VA L L E Y N E W S LOCALLY FOCUSED. FAMILY OWNED. PUBLISHED WEEKLY.
Community Calendar Saturday, December 12, 2020 Trap: Introduction to Trap 8:00am—Noon Lake City Shooting Range Register by December 10th This program is designed for those who have had some experience with shotguns. Covers safety, appropriate guns and ammo, rules of the game, etiquette on the field, and field layout. Firearms and ammunition will be provided, or you may bring your own. Register: 816-249-3194
Tuesday, December 15, 2020 Little Acorns: Tracks and Scat 1:00pm—2:00pm Burr Oak Woods Conservation Nature Center, Blue Springs There are critters in those woods! Out in that field, there is wildlife! Critters might think they’re sneaky, but they always leave a trail. Registration required for participants (ages 3-5 with an adult). Register by December 14th: 816-2283766
Discover Nature: Natural Connections Multiple sessions: 1:00pm—1:30pm 1:30pm—2:00pm 2:00pm—2:30pm Burr Oak Woods Conservation Nature Center, Blue Springs Energy flows through nature in amazing and dynamic ways. Explore food webs through games to help understand how nature is connected. Register by December 11th: 816-228-3766
What’s The News? Exploring News Resources 2:00pm –2:30pm www.mymcpl.org/events
Monday, December 14, 2020 Board of Aldermen Meeting 7:00pm Grain Valley City Hall, 711 S Main
Park Board Meeting 7:00pm Grain Valley Community Center Monday, January 11, 2021 Board of Aldermen Meeting 7:00pm Grain Valley City Hall, 711 S Main
Add your community event at www.grainvalleynews.com/ eventscalendar