INDIANS QUICK TO SHOW NEW MARKSMAN

Cory Johnson came out of Three Rivers Community College in Poplar Bluff with a reputation as an exceptional long-distance shooter.

Through two games for Southeast Missouri State University's basketball Indians, Johnson has certainly lived up to that billing -- and then some.

A 6-foot junior guard, Johnson has been lighting it up from long range so far, hitting 55 percent of his three-pointers (12 of 22).

And overall, Johnson leads the 1-1 Indians in scoring with an average of 19 points per game heading into Wednesday night's big home contest against Bradley.

Of his shooting, Johnson said after a recent game, "That's what I do best. That's the main reason I'm here."

Johnson, a former all-stater at Clearwater High School, holds Three Rivers records for three-pointers in a game (14), season (154) and career (236). He shot 45 percent from three-point range last season at the Poplar Bluff junior college.

And it's not just the fact that Johnson is a good three-point shooter. It's where some of his three-pointers come from. Johnson has so far shown an ability to hit shots from several feet behind the arc.

Southeast coach Gary Garner was asked if Johnson is free to shoot whenever he likes. Said a laughing Garner, "If he continues to shoot like that, he can shoot it when he gets off the bus."

Added Garner, "We want Cory to use good judgment, but he has the green light. We want him to keep shooting."

While Johnson has been the Indians' top scorer so far, another junior-college transfer has been one of the team's most pleasant surprises.

Demetrius Watson, a 6-4 junior forward who played at Mineral Area College in Parks Hills last year, has come off the bench to lead Southeast in rebounding with 7.5 per game. He is also the Indians' third-leading scorer at 11 points a contest.

"Demetrius has really been a sparkplug," Garner said. "He really plays hard and he comes to practice every day and plays very hard."

Bud Eley, Southeast's 6-10 senior center who was the team's top scorer and rebounder last season, is second behind Johnson in scoring so far at 16 points per game.

Also averaging in double figures through the early going is 6-8 junior forward David Montgomery at 10 points per contest.

* Garner said Watson and another key reserve, 6-2 freshman Nathan Owen out of Cape Central High, have both missed practice time early this week with the flu but he hopes they'll be ready to go Wednesday night.

* Bradley, which went 17-13 last year behind standout Anthony Parker, will bring a 1-2 record to the Show Me Center.

The Braves beat Montana (81-54) at home and lost on the road to a pair of NCAA Tournament teams from last season, Illinois (69-59) and Butler (51-48). Both defeats were extremely close throughout.

"They're a really sound team. You can't go by that 1-2 record," said Garner.

While Bradley will play in Cape Girardeau this year, Southeast will play at Bradley the following two seasons.

"I don't like going to play a team unless we're going to play in Cape," said Garner, referring to guarantee-type games the Indians have this year against Colorado, Missouri and Louisville. "Bradley is a good series for us and we start a (home-and-home) series with Southwest Missouri next year. That's the type of non-conference schedule we like."

* The Bradley game and Saturday night's game against Oakland City are both a part of the Union Planters Bank Basketball Extravaganza.

At Wednesday's game, a fan will have the opportunity to sink a three-quarter-court shot and win $10,000.

Saturday, three fans will have an opportunity to sink a three-quarter-court shot and win a new Chevy Blazer. To qualify for the drawing to select the shooters, fans can sign up at Coad Chevrolet and Brenneke Chevrolet or they can shoot free throws at West Park Mall for an opportunity to be in the drawing.

Also as part of the Union Planters Extravaganza, Southeast players and coaches are visiting Cape Girardeau grade schools this week making drug-free presentations.

"It's a great experience for the players," said Garner of visiting the elementary schools.