One of the most consistent scorers for Platte County in recent years will continue playing basketball at the next level.
Deiondre Ragsdale has signed with Coffeyville (Kan.) Community College, coming off a year where he averaged 16.6 points per game for the Pirates. The senior hit 35.5 percent of his 3-pointers (83) and finished with 448 points. His most notable accomplishment came when he scored a career-high 43 points against Savannah — 30 of which came in the first quarter.
That effort set a new MSHSAA state record, breaking the mark Jamestown’s Josh Ennis set in 2005.
Ragsdale will be a shooting guard for the Ravens and joins former teammate Tanner Newberry in playing college ball. Newberry was a freshman during the 2017-18 season at Graceland, the NAIA champions.
“We are extremely proud of how far Deiondre has came as a basketball player and as a person,” Platte County coach Rick Hodge said. “He was one of the most prolific scorers we have had come through our program. We look forward to following his college career as he takes this next step in basketball and in life.”
Ragsdale joins a Red Ravens program that is guided by NJCAA Hall of Famer Jay Herkelman. Coffeyville went 29-5 and went to the NJCAA Tournament last year. Overall, he is 603-181 in 23 years.
“What made me chose Coffeyville was the success they had in recent years and the ability to produce D-I and D-II talent,” said Ragsdale, who finished with 938 points and hit 140 3-pointers. “
The recent graduate started school on Monday, Aug. 13 and will prepare for his freshman season. He visited the school in March and once he did, he had his mind made up he wanted to be a Red Raven.
“I knew they would be a perfect fit for me,” he said. “Words can’t explain how excited I am to be able to continue to play basketball. I dreamed about playing basketball in college since I was young and now I’m blessed to be able to play at the next level.”
Citizen file photo
Platte County’s Deiondre Ragsdale, center, goes up for a layup against Excelsior Springs in a district tournament game in February in Kearney, Mo. Ragsdale recently signed to play basketball at Coffeyville (Kan.) Community College.