Rakestraw receives Democrat-Gazette honor
Posted on Wednesday, May 7, 2008
URL: http://www.nwanews.com/hl/Sports/24402/
Siloam Springs head boys basketball coach Jason McMahan is all smiles these days, especially with the 5 A Player of the Year - Coleson Rakestraw - returning for his final year of high school basketball.
Rakestraw, a 6-foot-3 junior point guard and the Panthers ’ leading scorer, added another postseason honor to his already crowded trophy case.
On Sunday, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette tabbed Rakestraw as one of the five best players in all classifications in the state of Arkansas for the 2008 season.
The honor highlighted a festive week, in which Rakestraw also earned the 2008 KURM Player of the Year award.
For 30 games, Rakestraw was the catalyst in leading the Panthers to their first-ever 5 A state championship.
The sharp-shooting guard averaged 22 points per game and converted 109 three-point baskets.
In the state championship game, Rakestraw scored 17 of his game-high 28 points in the first half as the Panthers roared past defending champion Greene County Tech, 61-40.
Because of his ability to steer the Panthers toward school history with the state championship, Rakestraw also earned the Benton County Daily Record Most Valuable Player, as well as the 5 A State Tournament MVP.
McMahan credits Rakestraw’s work ethic to the reason why the talented junior has earned so many postseason honors.
“ Coleson stays in the gym after practice and shoots anywhere from 2, 500 to 3, 000 baskets per week, ” McMahan said. “ To me, that’s a kid that is unselfish and committed to excellence. ”
McMahan also added that the bigger the game, the better Rakestraw plays.
Earlier this season, Rakestraw scored 40 points in a hard-fought loss to Kansas City Grandview at the Neosho (Mo. ) Tournament.
A month later, in a crucial Conference 5 A West game at the Panther Arena, Rakestraw scorched Little Rock Christian for 39 points.
Rakestraw’s ability to score at will from the perimeter paid large dividends for the Panthers down the stretch.
At the state tournament, the Panthers buried 37 treys, including 14 in a win over then No. 1 seed Little Rock Mills.
The 14 treys were six shy of setting a state record for most three-point baskets made in a single game.
Rakestraw, along with teammates Christopher Eshnaur and Ryan Ostrander, converted 30 treys at the state tournament.
Because of his effectiveness on the perimeter, Rakestraw keeps coaches around the area up late at night finding ways to contain him.
“ A league coach once told me that Coleson is the most unforgiven player he’s ever seen, ” McMahan said in a previous article. “ I asked that person why and he stated, ‘ If Coleson (Rakestraw ) is left open, that means three points. ”
McMahan added that having Rakestraw back for his senior season should increase the Panthers ’ overall work ethic in practice and game-day preparations.
“ Coleson’s the guy that makes us go. The glue that holds us together, ” McMahan said.