DONIPHAN STANDOUT COMMITS TO SOUTHEAST

One of Southeast Missouri's premier basketball players --and certainly its tallest -- has decided to attend Southeast Missouri State University.

Doniphan High School senior Adam Crader, a 6-foot-11 center, said that he has given the Indians a verbal commitment and plans to sign a national letter of intent in the next few days.

"I'm excited about it," he said.

Crader averaged 20.6 points, 12.5 rebounds and nearly seven blocked shots per game during his senior season as he earned Class 3A all-state second-team honors. He was also a second-team all-stater as a junior.

After also being recruited by the likes of Kansas State, Southern Illinois and Illinois State, Crader said he narrowed his final choices to Kansas State and Southeast before ultimately choosing the Indians.

"I've followed SEMO and they've got a real good program going," he said. "Coach (Gary) Garner is a good coach and a really nice guy. All of their coaches seemed really nice."

Although Crader has gained considerable weight over the last few years and is now up to about 230 pounds, he said his strength is still one of the main things he has to improve on as he makes the adjustment to college basketball.

"I have to get stronger," he said.

Garner, who is prohibited by NCAA rules from commenting on specific recruits until they officially sign, said last week that the Indians are still trying to land a guard from the junior-college ranks.

Southeast is also still reportedly in the running for 7-2 center Kostas Avgerinos, a native of Greece who originally signed with Southeast but spent the past two years at Southern Idaho Junior College.

During the early signing period last fall, the Indians inked another Southeast Missouri high school standout, Class 3A all-state first-team guard Brett Hale of Dexter.