Bell City grad hopeful about playing for Redhawks men's basketball team this year

Southeast Missouri State junior shooting guard Nick Niemczyk is as surprised as anybody by his remarkable recovery.

Niemczyk, a former Bell City High School standout who played at Three Rivers Community College, had surgery to repair a torn ACL in mid-April.

It was believed that Niemczyk would redshirt this season. But he has progressed so much that it's almost certain he'll play for the Redhawks this year, barely six months after surgery.

"It feels real good," Niemczyk said about the knee during Wednesday's media day. "I'm really surprised. I didn't think I would be playing this year."

No decision has been made yet, but Niemczyk and Southeast coach Dickey Nutt both believe Niemczyk will take the court this season.

Porter (Michael)

"I don't think we're 100 percent sure, but we think so," said the 6-foot-1, 185-pound Niemczyk, who averaged 30 points per game as a Bell City senior.

Said Nutt: "It's been unbelievable. Six months recovery ... but it doesn't surprise me. [TRCC coach] Gene Bess told me he's such a hard worker."

Nutt said he won't play Niemczyk if he's not ready, but all indications are that will be the case.

Niemczyk earned all-Region 16 honors as a TRCC sophomore last season when he averaged 12.3 points while shooting nearly 43 percent from 3-point range and better than 78 percent from the free-throw line. He ranked among the region leaders in scoring, 3-point shooting, free-throw shooting, assists (2.2) and steals (1.7).

Niemczyk averaged 13 points in three games at the national junior college tournament, including a 25-point performance, before tearing his ACL in the semifinals. TRCC wound up second.

"He brings that winning attitude. He has ice water in his veins and nothing rattles him," Nutt said. "We zeroed in on Nick early and felt like we had to have him in our program."

Forced to wait

Former University of Missouri player Tyler Stone is among Southeast's two Division I transfers who won't be able to play in games this season due to NCAA transfer rules but is allowed to practice.

Stone, a 6-7, 225-pound sophomore forward, will have three years of eligibility remaining. He scored 22 points and grabbed 12 rebounds in limited action as a Mizzou freshman last season.

"It's going to be tough, not playing this year, but I know they'll hold their own," Stone said. "It will make me more hungry, give me more motivation to get stronger, improve and work on my academics."

Nutt is elated to have Stone and former Sikeston High School star Michael Porter, a 6-6, 235-pound forward, in the program.

Porter transferred from Missouri State, where he averaged 3.8 points and 2.2 rebounds in six games as a freshman last year before taking a medical redshirt due to various injuries. He scored a team-high 16 points at Arkansas-Little Rock.

Porter, recently cleared for all practice activity after summer hip surgery, will have at least three years of eligibility left and possibly four.

"We're so happy to have Tyler and Michael here," Nutt said. "They're going to be a big part of our program the next several years."

Noteworthy

* Nutt said he is not sure if Southeast will sign any players during the weeklong early signing period that begins Nov. 10.

"We've got some offers out there. Whether they take it or not, we don't know," Nutt said. "With Tyler Stone and Michael Porter sitting out, that's like having two new recruits for next year."

Southeast's women plan to sign at least one player early as Notre Dame Regional High School all-state point guard Allyson Bradshaw verbally committed in late August.

* Southeast's men will hold their inaugural Red and Black intrasquad game, open to the public, on homecoming weekend.

The event will begin at approximately 5 p.m. Oct. 30 at the Show Me Center, or about one hour following the conclusion of the 1 p.m. football game against Tennessee-Martin.

Admission and parking for the Red and Black game are free. Southeast players and coaches will sign autographs afterward.

Children 12 and younger are encouraged to wear costumes and participate in pre-Halloween trick-or-treating on the arena concourse.