CONSTANT FLASH: INDIANS FIND WATSON IS FLASHY WHEN IT COMES TO CONSISTENCY

He's not the flashiest guy on the team. He's not the quickest and doesn't jump the highest. He's also not the best shooter.

But what Demetrius Watson has been so far, according to coach Gary Garner, is Southeast Missouri State University's most consistent basketball player.

"When you take all aspects of the game into account, I think Demetrius has been our most consistent player from day one," said Garner. "He rebounds, he defends, he scores some points, he just does a little bit of everything.

"Demetrius isn't the most talented player we've got but I think he gets as much or more out of his talents as anybody we've got. He's just been a really solid player for us."

A 6-foot-4 junior forward in his first season at Southeast, Watson appears to have somewhat modest overall averages of 9.2 points and 5.6 rebounds per game, which makes him the Indians fourth-leading scorer and third-leading rebounder.

But since moving into the starting lineup after Bud Eley broke his foot 10 games ago, Watson has averaged 12 points and 6.7 rebound a contest while shooting a phenomenal 65 percent from the field, mostly on short-to-mid-range jumpers, layups or follow shots.

And even though Eley recently returned to the lineup, Watson has retained his starting job.

"I think he's only been under 50 percent (from the field) in one game all season, which is really impressive," Garner said. "Demetrius only takes shots that he has a pretty good chance of making. His shot selection is very good."

The good-natured Watson, who always seems to have a smile on his face, appreciates the compliments but he takes them all in stride.

"I just try to work hard and do whatever I can to help the team," he said following Thursday's practice as the Indians gear up for Saturday night's big home game against Eastern Illinois. "I try to stay in good shape all the time and always be ready."

Watson admits he's not a flashy player nor a particularly explosive leaper, as evidenced by him having no dunks yet this season even though he basically plays inside.

But Watson promises with a laugh that he can dunk and has had his share of dunks in the past.

"I hope I can get one soon," he said with a chuckle. "But I just try to do all the basic things and I try to only take shots within my range."

A St. Louis native, Watson earned all-state honors at Roosevelt High School, where he averaged 24 points and 11 rebounds per game as a senior.

Watson went on to a strong career at Mineral Area College in Park Hills, averaging 14 points and eight rebounds per game while earning all-region honors for a team that went 28-5 last season.

Watson chose to attend Southeast partly because it's close to home. He said many of his family members attend Southeast home games and his mother has been to every home contest so far this season.

"I'm glad I came here because I really like it," said Watson, who is majoring in marketing. "Everybody gets along really good on this team. That's what coach has stressed all along, that we're like a family."

Watson, a starter all his life at every level of basketball, said it was strange for him early in the season when he was coming off the bench.

"I've been starting my whole career," he said. "Once I didn't (start), I tried to work even harder."

Now that he's in the starting lineup, it's doubtful he'll relinquish that position. But really, Watson said he's happy doing anything he can to help the Indians have a successful season.

Southeast is 8-9 overall and 4-5 in Ohio Valley Conference play after the halfway point of the league season. The Indians are shooting for a top-four OVC finish, which would give them a home game in the first round of the league tournament.

"We've lost a lot of close games, but I still think we have a good chance to get in the top four," Watson said. "If we play like we're capable, we can do it."