SSHS basketball teams honored for success
Posted on Sunday, May 11, 2008
Whether it was football, volleyball, baseball or basketball, the Siloam Springs coaching staff each shared the same philosophy in 2007-2008.
In each of those sports, including soccer, softball, swimming, golf, tennis, track and bowling, it was all about competing with'One Heartbeat. '
For the betterment of a fivemonth stretch that started in November and culminated in March, the Siloam boys' and girls' basketball programs put the'T' in teamwork and found success at the highest level of competition.
The Panthers, for the first time in the 100-year history of Siloam Springs High School, defeated defending 5 A state champion Greene County Tech by a 21-point margin and brought a state title back to Benton County.
The Lady Panthers, meanwhile, returned to the 5 A State Tournament for the secondstraight season and came within a victory of playing for a state championship for the first time since winning the 4 A title in 1999.
Both basketball teams were honored Thursday at Community Christian Fellowship with a tribute video, showing the highlights of their wonderful accomplishments and coaches took time to speak on each player and what they meant to their respective teams.
Lady Panther head coach Debbie Sharp, who finished her 19 th season at Siloam Springs, credited her team's success to the senior leadership of Alyssa Hall and Kacie Larkin.
"We had great leadership from Kacie and Alyssa, plus we made a good run through conference and finished with a good showing at the state tournament," Sharp said.
"I'm excited for next season as we have some good experience coming back. It's always sad to see the seniors go, but I'm looking forward to a bright future with the returning players."
Sharp honored Larkin with the Most Valuable Player award after leading her team to a 21-7 record, as well as earning 5 A All-State honors and numerous postseason accolades.
This past season, Larkin averaged 20. 8 points, 6. 8 rebounds and 2. 9 steals per game. She also converted 51 percent of her field goals and 32 percent of her three-pointers.
On top of that, Larkin also concluded her high school career by joining the Lady Panthers' 1, 000-point Club where she finished her three-year career with 1, 456 points and 508 rebounds.
The three-year lettermen signed a national letter of intent following the season to play college basketball in 2008-2009 with John Brown University.
Hall was chosen by Sharp as the Lady Panther Award recipient.
Other awards, which were selected by the team, are as follows Best Playmaker: Maci Lewis; Rebound Award: Ashley Adams; Impact Player: Hannah Allison; Defense Award: Anna Markovich; Offense Award: Jessica Berlin and Most Improved: Caitlyn Cleek.
The Panthers (22-8 ) highlighted the banquet with secondyear head coach Jason McMahan recognizing the 11 seniors that have been with him since their freshman season.
Before returning to Siloam Springs two years ago, McMahan was an assistant coach in Moore, Okla.
The Crossett, Ark., native got his coaching start on the junior high level at Siloam Springs five years ago.
McMahan said this past season was filled with many memorable moments and lots of special stories away from the court.
"It was a once in a lifetime type deal with the combination of great kids, winners, winning and great parents.
"It was the perfect season for a coach," McMahan added.
The Panther Character Award, which is given to the player that goes beyond the limit in exemplifying good leadership, was presented to junior point guard Coleson Rakestraw.
McMahan said Rakestraw's honor was his 17 th postseason award received this year.
Rakestraw finished the year setting a Panther school record in points averaged per game with 21. 7, setting a school record in three-point baskets made in a season with 114 and setting a school record in field goal percentage with 70 percent.
The Panther Leadership Award was presented to senior wing Christopher Eshnaur, who was a captain and the team's second leading scorer with 16. 3 points per game, ranking him among the Top 10 in school history.
Eshnaur also teamed with Rakestraw to convert 67 threepointers, eclipsing the previous school record of 59 in a season.
The Panther Pride Award was given to senior guard Matt Brooker, who converted the final two points with 22 seconds remaining in the 5 A State Championship Game in Hot Springs.
The Most Improved Panther Award went to senior forward Roger Jackson after finishing his first varsity season on the 2008 5 A All-State Tournament team.
Adam Hodge and Chase Sebren also collected junior varsity awards for most improved and outstanding hustle.
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