An Excelsior Springs basketball player is moving on to the collegiate level. Rakai Gantt, who graduated May 12 from Excelsior Springs High School, recently signed a letter of intent to play at McPherson (Kan.) College, an NAIA school affiliated with the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference. “I wanted to play basketball at a school where I felt the most welcomed,” said Gantt, who plans to study mathematics and engineering. The signing extends a stint in amateur organized basketball that began in 2010. Gantt’s 13 years in hoops have included AAU basketball in the KC Roots and 816 programs. As for his high school career, winning a district game for the first time in several years was one of Gantt’s greatest experiences with the Tigers, he said. Gantt credits coach David Stalder with having a major impact on his time at Excelsior Springs High School. “Coach Stalder has always been there, supporting me and encouraging me to do my best,” he said. “He was always there when I need…