Rakestraw's On The Mark

“Coleson is agreat influence to the younger players, today he was still shooting with a sophomore an hour and a half after practice was let out.” explains Siloam Springs basketball coach Jason McMahan. Coleson Rakestraw’s work ethic is not just for the hardwoods of the basketball courts. The junior also maintains a 4.0 Grade Point Average while leading the Siloam Springs Panthers with 23 points per game. That effort inthe classroom and the basketball court has attracted attention from some very prestigious colleges. “Arkansas, Baylor, Miami, Bucknell and Brown are all schools that have contacted me”, said Rakestraw, who’s quick to point out that two of those schools are Ivy League schools. “I’m most proud of Coleson for working to be as good of a person off the court as he is on the court. He treats people well and works to get better at that part of life,”said Jason McMahan, who also knows how good Rakestraw has become as a player, “I have told Coleson, ‘Anytime you feel open, shoot it.’” That is just what Rakestraw has done. In a game against Kansas City’s Grandview High, Rakestraw lit up the scoreboard for a career high 40 points. McMahan went onto say, “he was impressive in that game, not for the points, but how he scored. He hit numerous 10- to 12-foot jump shots. He’s also had similar games against top competition at the AAU national tournament when he nailed 10 three pointers in a single game. Rakestraw also is learning how to get fouled and get to the line. Opponents are keying on him and he is adapting well to the speed of the game, creating shots and getting to the free throw line more often,” McMahan said. Rakestraw believes drills help his accuracy from beyond the arc. “The Duke drillis my favorite drill. We have five guys beyond the three-point line shoot for five minutes and we try to make 200 three-pointers.” Rakestraw said. McMahan goes onto say, “Our staff went to Duke University and brought that drill back from Coach K’s coaching camp. It has been a great drill for us.” Rakestraw has plenty of competition at home as well. While his older brother, Nate, is off at school playing basketball for the University of Arkansas, it is his dad and sister who keep the H-O-R-S-E game alive. “When the boys were growing up, they would start out shooting, and then play H-O-R-S-E,” said Coleson’s father, P.D. Rakestraw. “That would usually turn into a one-on-one game, then I would have to go out and referee because it would start to get rough and pretty competitive. I think those games have helped Coleson develop as a player.” “Dad gets all the credit for my shot.” said Rakestraw, who claims he wins most of the H-O-R-S-E games. “But Dad and my sister Emery (14-years old) win one every now and then.” Let us not forget about Rakestraw’s mom, Jan, whois responsible not only for her famous pregame chicken pasta, but also keeping P.D. in check at the ball games. “Jan throws an elbow if I start to get too loud at the game” said P.D.Rakestraw. Coach McMahan adds, “Her pasta is some pretty good stuff!”