Janae Granere has had an extremely successful basketball season with her Marmaton Valley High team this year.
A junior, Granere has been a regular starter all three years of her high school career so far. This season Granere has taken on more of a leadership role along with seniors Madi Lawson and Tayven Sutton.
“It’s great. They have helped me become the leader I am today,” Granere said. “Tayven and Madi have always lifted the team up so it’s something I’m very thankful for. Playing with these people has helped me be better. They also make it more enjoyable.”
Granere has been a spark when Marmaton Valley needs it most. Her best offensive game was when she scored a team-high 16 points in a lopsided 40-17 win over Oswego on Jan. 6.
Granere has taken on the role of point guard after losing some key seniors from last year’s team. She has also improved her rebounding, an area she admits was weaker for her on the floor.
“My cousin last year was our top rebounder and we lost her so somebody had to take her spot. I knew I had to step up because it was something I was weaker at.”
The Wildcat scored 13 points in a win over Yates Center in the War on 54 tournament on Jan. 19. She was later named to the All-Tournament First Team for her play in the tournament.
Granere recently accepted an offer to play for Team USA overseas in Spain over the summer. The team brings along upcoming seniors and soon-to-be college basketball players who have excelled at the high school level.
“We’ll go over there, get a practice in and then we’ll start playing. They pick different college coaches to send them their recruiting forms. My coach will be the Neosho women’s coach (JJ Davis).”
“I really want to try and hit 1,000 points so that’s one of my biggest goals right now,” Granere said. “Along with being a good teammate. I think I have around 790 points right now.”
Granere knows the clock is ticking on her high school playing days and that to finish her career the way she wants to, she will have to give it her all.
“I just want to leave it all out there. No matter the end result, I’d rather be able to come off the court knowing I did all I could do.”
Granere and the Wildcats host Crest in a substate playoff game on Thursday at 7 p.m.
