Arnzen endorses assistant coach Eads

Southeast Missouri State University women's basketball coach Ed Arnzen, who announced his retirement effective at the end of the upcoming season during the Otahkians' media day Wednesday afternoon, knows who he would like to see take his spot on the bench.

Arnzen gave a ringing endorsement to assistant Alan Eads, who has been Arnzen's right-hand man for nearly a decade. Eads, Southeast's chief recruiter, is beginning his eighth season on the Otahkians' coaching staff.

"Alan has been with me a long time and I would like to see him take over here," said Arnzen, who quickly added, "But those decisions will be made by the university."

Eads came to Southeast after eight seasons at Moberly (Mo.) Junior College, where he built that school's women's program into one of the nation's best. Under Eads, Moberly went 200-37 from 1986-1994 and the Lady Greyhounds made five appearances in the national junior college tournament, finishing third in 1987 and fifth in both 1988 and 1994.

Said Southeast athletic director Don Kaverman, "We'll have a national search at the appropriate time. We don't want to distract from the season. Coach Arnzen will be a hard man to replace. We hope to attract a fine candidate to fill his shoes, which will be hard to do."

Freshman out

Freshman center Tanya Guell will miss the entire season after suffering a serious knee injury during practice last week.

Guell, from Plymouth, Wis., underwent surgery Tuesday and Arnzen said she will have to have one more surgery in about six to eight weeks because the injury was so severe.

"It was a devastating injury," Arnzen said. "She's a great kid and she'll be a part of the Otahkian basketball program even though she can't play this year."

Guell, expected to provide depth inside, had been impressive in the Otahkians' exhibition opener as she scored 14 points. She missed Southeast's second and final exhibition game after being injured.

Iversen ready

Senior center Pam Iversen, entering her fourth season as a starter, missed the two exhibition games with a broken nose but she will be in the lineup Friday when the Otahkians open the season against Montana in the Texas-Pan American Tournament.

"I'll have a mask on, but I'll be ready to go," she said with a laugh.

Iversen and guard Veronica Benson, the squad's only senior starters, have been named co-captains for the 2001-2002 season.