Indians wait and see on first day of signing period

The month-long spring signing period for college basketball teams begins today, but Southeast Missouri State University fans might have to wait a while to find out if the Indians land one or both of the two touted recruits they're chasing.

Southeast coach Gary Garner said it's possible the Indians, who plan to sign at least two players this spring, won't receive any letters of intent for at least a few days.

"We could have something (today), but we're not really sure," Garner said.

Garner is prohibited by NCAA rules from commenting on specific recruits until he receives their letters of intent, but the Indians reportedly are in the running for two highly recruited players in 6-foot-10 forward-center Randy Holbrook and 6-3 guard Josh Gonner.

Holbrook is a former national top 100 high school recruit from St. Louis who originally signed with Xavier and has spent time at two junior colleges.

Gonner, who visited Southeast over the weekend and still has visits lined up -- including one to Illinois -- was one of the premier players in the talent-rich Kansas junior-college ranks this year while competing for Hutchinson. He is the brother of forward Dainmon Gonner, another former Hutchinson star who enrolled at Southeast in January, practiced with the Indians the rest of the year and will be eligible next season.

"We feel like our recruiting is going well, but you never know until players actually sign," Garner said.

The Indians have three available scholarships this spring, but Garner said there is a chance they will only use two, with Southeast then able to carry over one for next year.

Under NCAA rules, men's teams are allowed to sign no more than five players in one year and no more than eight over a two-year period. The Indians signed 6-4 guard Norman Prather from Mineral Area College in the fall period, and Valparaiso transfer point guard Mike Nelke, who practiced with the team this past season, will go on scholarship next year, meaning he will count toward this year's signings.

If the Indians sign two players this spring, that will give them four total scholarships for this year, meaning they'll be able to sign four players next year. If they sign three this spring, giving them five total for the year, they'll only be able to sign three next year.Women should sign one

Southeast women's basketball coach B.J. Smith said he plans to sign four players during the spring period, including one today. The Otahkians signed three players during the fall period.

The NCAA has no scholarship limitations for women's teams, other than they can't exceed the 15-player maximum at any one time.

mmishow@semissourian.com

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