IDENTICAL SENIORS: COOKS STILL LOOK LIKE OTAHKIANS

Sherry and Shauna Cook won't go down as two of the best women's basketball players in Southeast Missouri State University history. Their names can't be found in the Otahkians' record books.

But Southeast coach Ed Arnzen says -- and you can tell he really means it -- that he wouldn't trade the identical twin sisters for anything.

For what the Cooks lack in dazzling talent, they more than make up for in character, hard work, team play, solid citizenship and strong academics.

In short, the Jackson High School products -- Southeast's only seniors who have been with the program the past four years -- are the kind of people Arnzen loves having represent his team and the university.

"When I think of those two, they really epitomize what a true student-athlete is," said Arnzen. "They're good basketball players, but they're great people. Their parents have to be extremely proud of what they've become.

"They are truly great representatives of this university."

Sherry and Shauna, who will be playing in their final regular-season home game Saturday when Southeast takes on Eastern Illinois, have been through the good and the bad with the Otahkian program.

Upon arriving at Southeast after standout prep careers at Jackson playing for their father, Ron Cook, Sherry and Shauna were contributors as freshmen on a team that went 14-13 and finished third in the Ohio Valley Conference during the 1995-96 season.

But there wasn't much team success during their sophomore and junior seasons as the Otahkians went a combined 13-40. Southeast finished last in the OVC two years ago and wound up eighth last season.

But the Cooks couldn't imagine a better season on which to end their collegiate careers. The Otahkians, with a 17-8 overall record, are having their best season since moving up to the Division I level eight years ago. And they will host an opening-round OVC Tournament game Tuesday night for the first time ever.

"This is great. We're having so much fun this year, I wish it would have been like this the last few years," said an excited Sherry, whose bubbly personality is matched by Shauna, who chimed in, "The last two years were really disappointing, but this year is so much fun. All the girls get along so well together."

Neither Sherry nor Shauna, both 5-feet-9 guard/forwards, has ever been even close to a star player for the Otahkians -- although they have been solid contributors for four years -- but both really don't care. They've enjoyed the college basketball experience and college life in general.

"Everybody wants to play more," said Shauna. "But I'm just happy to help the team in any way I can."

Said Sherry, "We know we're not the most talented players. We just mainly work hard and do whatever we can to help the team win."

Even though the twins don't have dazzling numbers, Arnzen said their contributions on the court cannot be overlooked.

The Cooks have only 18 combined starts in their college careers -- 12 by Shauna -- and together they have averaged less than five points per game over the past four seasons, but both have consistently been key contributors off the bench.

"They are truly team players," said Arnzen. "They have been role players and both have accepted the role we've put them in. That kind of person is not easy to find any more.

"Both have been a very big help for four years at a variety of positions. And both have worked very, very hard. A lot of kids quit on things when we weren't doing well the last two years, but they certainly never did. They hung in there through some trying and difficult days."

And both have had their moments to shine as individuals.

Shauna's top performance is easy to pinpoint. During a game at Murray State last season, she got hot early -- and never let up. By the time the final buzzer sounded, Shauna had poured in 31 points to go along with four rebounds and three assists.

"That was definitely the biggest highlight for me," she said with a laugh. "I just want crazy. I couldn't believe it. Ever since, I've been hoping that maybe I'd have another game like that."

Also last season, Sherry hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer against Morehead State to force overtime and the Otahkians went on to prevail.

"I haven't had any really huge games, but the Morehead game was probably the most memorable one for me," she said.

It's probably not surprising that the Cooks wound up playing college basketball because they grew up with the game, first following their father's Jackson teams as young girls and later starring for the Lady Indians.

Sherry and Shauna helped Jackson begin its current string of four straight Class 4A Final Four appearances as the Lady Indians finished third in the state while they were seniors.

When it came time to chose a college, the twins were elated that Arnzen wanted both of them in his program. After all, they'd been coming to Southeast summer camps since grade school. And they definitely wanted to remain together after high school.

"We always went to camps at SEMO and we really wanted to play there," said Sherry. "I definitely wanted to play with Shauna. It would have been tough without her."

Said Shauna, "We always wanted to play at SEMO and play together. It's an experience most people don't get to have."

Added Arnzen with a laugh, "They started coming to camps probably in the fifth or sixth grade. It seems like they've always been around. I don't know what I'll do without them next year. I'll certainly miss them."

The Cooks, both majoring in elementary education, have been Southeast Scholar Athletes in every one of their college years. With grade-point averages well above 3.0, they have learned to juggle the athletic and academic side of things.

Sherry and Shauna will both become teachers when they graduate -- but neither is sure she wants to get into coaching.

"If it helps me get a teaching job, I might," said Sherry. "I think I might like to coach eventually, but probably not right away."

Said a chuckling Shauna, "I'm not sure. I see my dad getting worn out and stressed out, and I don't know if I want to do that."

The twins have always been extremely close and, because they look so much alike, cause quite a bit of confusion for many people.

"People get confused all the time," Shauna said. "If we don't have the same classes together, a lot of people on campus think we're the same person. People might think I'm rude if I don't say hi, but they think I'm Sherry and I don't even know them."

Said Sherry, "We've gone through stages where we don't look alike, but now we really do. I'm sure a lot of people think it's confusing."

As their college careers wind down, the Cooks know the kind of finish they'd like to have -- an OVC Tournament championship by the Otahkians. As one of four teams fighting for the league title, Southeast will be among the favorites when the OVC tourney begins Tuesday.

"Getting the championship would be awesome," said Shauna.

Added Sherry, "We want to win it all, get that championship ring. Getting to the NCAA Tournament would be so much fun."