Henson Breaks Scoring Mark

Sunday, December 9, 2012

— He didn’t do it with a dunk. Or a 3-pointer.

It didn’t come on an alley-oop lob to the basket, either.

For Payton Henson, becoming the all-time scoring leader in the history of the Siloam Springs boys basketball program came at the loneliest spot on the court — the free-throw line.

By The Numbers

Panther Points

Siloam Springs senior Payton Henson broke the school career scoring record in tournament play last week. Here are the top three career scoring leaders for the boys basketball team:

Player Points

*Payton Henson 1,710

Coleson Rakestraw 1,664

Clark Sheehy 1,545

*Total as of Dec. 9

It happened Wednesday against Spiro, Okla., in the Yeagers/H.B. Stewart Classic at Greenwood. Henson knocked down one free throw to tie former record-holder Coleson Rakestraw at 1,664 points. He then swished the next foul shot to move to the top.

And the record will continue to grow from here until the end of the season.

After Friday’s game against Greenwood in the Yeagers/H.B. Stewart Classic, where Henson scored 19 points in a 69-60 Panthers win, the 6-foot-8 Tulane signee stood at 1,710 points.

When asked if the reality of breaking the school’s scoring record had set in, Henson was quick to answer.

“Yeah it’s definitely hit me,” Henson said. “It’s definitely an honor to have my names next to guys like Coleson Rakestraw and Clark Sheehy (third place, 1,545 points), who were just absolutely great players when they were here at Siloam. It’s an honor and a blessing.”

Rakestraw broke Sheehy’s scoring mark over the course of three seasons from the fall of 2006 to the spring of 2009. Currently, Rakestraw is in his senior season at John Brown, which is coached by Sheehy.

When contacted Saturday, Rakestraw offered his congratulations to Henson.

“He really is a great basketball player and a really hard worker,” Rakestraw said of Henson. “I’ve played pickup with him a few times. He’s a great guy and well deserving of it.”

Henson’s run at the school scoring record began when he was a baby-faced freshman with what he calls “long, bushy hair.”

He still has the baby-face, but the haircut is cropped much closer these days.

Henson scored 240 points in 27 games as a freshman during the 2009-10 season. As a sophomore in 2010-11, he scored 606 points in 30 games, earning All-State honors as the Panthers advanced to the Class 5A state semifinals under then-coach Johnny Taylor.

Last season, he scored 691 points in 28 games, averaging 24.7 points per game, earning All-State honors again and being named NWA Media’s Small Schools Player of the Year.

“It’s one of those things that’s taken a lot of work and a lot of consistent improvement to get to that mark,” said Tim Stewart, Siloam Springs boys basketball coach. “I know Coleson Rakestraw and Clark Sheehy had tremendous careers. It was a special moment for Payton.”

Henson committed to Tulane in October and signed with the Green Wave during the early signing period. So far this season, he’s scored 173 points and is averaging 24.7 points per game.

“It’s fun to be able to brag on a kid that’s worked hard and improved steadily and is a good solid student, a solid friend and solid young man,” Stewart said. “We don’t get tired of bragging on him.”

Stewart said the school plans to honor Henson and his record Dec. 18 when the Panthers host Tulsa NOAH (Northeast Oklahoma Association of Homeschools) at Panther Activity Center. The ceremony should take place about 7:15 p.m., after the varsity girls game and before the start of the varsity boys game.

Henson said it’s been an honor to break the scoring record, but he reiterated his top goals, which are all team goals, remain in front of him.

“We have an extremely talented team,” Henson said. “I see us being able to go really far in the playoffs.

“We still have a long season to go. My season goals are not based on that. When it’s all said and done, it’s going to be something special that I’ll remember for years.”