Jackson's King verbally commits to Southeast Missouri State women's basketball program

Connor King had a chance to play in leagues rated much higher than the Ohio Valley Conference.

The opportunity to compete close to home for a program she is very familiar with led King to Southeast Missouri State and the OVC.

King, a Jackson High School senior, gave first-year Southeast women's basketball coach Ty Margenthaler a verbal commitment this week. The 6-foot-2 forward/center said she plans to make it official in November during the NCAA's early signing period.

"I am really excited. I love the coaching staff and I know the girls," King said. "I'm really close to my family. That factored in."

King also visited Kent State of the Mid-American Conference and Evansville of the Missouri Valley Conference. The MAC and MVC both are higher-profile leagues than the OVC.

Jackson's Connor King, right, averaged 11 points and 9.4 rebounds for the Indians last season. She has committed verbally to Southeast Missouri State. (Kristin Eberts)

"It came down to Evansville and SEMO. I was really comfortable here," King said. "It was really the place to be. It had everything I needed. I know I can make an impact over my four years here."

King will be entering her fourth year of varsity play for the Indians. She had a solid junior season, averaging 11 points and 9.4 rebounds per game.

King will play with a familiar face at Southeast. Fellow Jackson senior Dru Haertling, a guard, verbally committed to the Redhawks last month. The two not only have been teammates with the Indians but also with the Southeast Dynasty summer AAU program.

"I'm happy for both of us," King said.

And she's confident that Margenthaler will lead the Redhawks back to prominence after several down seasons.

"He's a great guy. I really think he'll take it [the program] in the right direction," King said.

Charles Williams, one of the Dynasty's coaches, said King performed well against some of the nation's elite AAU programs and should fit in well with the Redhawks.

"She's a very good player," Williams said. "I think Southeast is getting two very good players in Connor and Dru."

Margenthaler now has secured three verbal commitments for next season.

In addition to King and Haertling, Kara Wright from Louisville, Ky., plans to sign with Southeast in November. Wright is a senior guard at Manual High School.

Margenthaler is prohibited by NCAA regulations from commenting on recruits until they sign letters of intent.