Juco pair joins Southeast

~ University receives signed letters from Moore, Herring.

The two junior college basketball players who verbally committed to Southeast Missouri State several weeks ago finally officially became Redhawks on Wednesday.

Coach Scott Edgar received national letters of intent from 5-foot-11 shooting guard Kenard Moore and 6-5 wing Jaycen Herring.

"I think they're two really big signings for us, two big additions to our program," Edgar said. "They should be able to come in and contribute immediately for us."

Moore led the Iowa Junior College Conference in 3-pointers while playing for Marshalltown Community College last season.

Originally from Greensboro, N.C., Moore averaged 17.8 points per game while shooting 40 percent from 3-point range, 45 percent from the field overall and 76 percent from the free-throw line.

Moore, an all-region selection, hit 119 of 301 3-pointers, giving him 214 made 3-pointers during his two-year career at Marshalltown.

"He is an excellent 3-point shooter who should be able to come in and pick up where Terrick Willoughby [who led the Ohio Valley Conference in 3-point percentage last season] left off," Edgar said. "He'll be able to stretch defenses for us."

Herring averaged 14 points and 4.8 rebounds per game at Palm Beach (Fla.) Community College last season. He shot 52 percent from the field -- including 50 percent from 3-point range in limited attempts -- and 76 percent from the foul line.

A native of Memphis, Tenn., Herring played his freshman season at Tennessee-Chattanooga, where he averaged 3.9 points and 1.5 rebounds.

"He brings us a lot of versatility on the perimeter. He's got good length and the ability to make his teammates better," Edgar said. "He has the experience of playing Division I basketball, which is a plus."

Moore and Herring bring the number of spring signees for Southeast up to three, joining 6-10 Bell City High School senior Will Bogan, who signed last week.

"I'm ecstatic over those three," Edgar said. "I think we have definitely made ourselves better with those three additions. We've added more weapons."

While the trio fills Southeast's remaining available scholarships right now, Edgar did not rule out another player or two joining the program.

"I'm always recruiting," he said.

Assistant coach leaving

Toby Lane, who recently concluded his third season as Southeast's limited-earnings assistant coach, is leaving to join the staff at the University of Miami.

Lane basically served as the Redhawks' video coordinator, in addition to various other duties.

"Toby did a fabulous job at Southeast Missouri State," Edgar said. "He did so many things behind the scenes that were very important to the program.

"He will be difficult to replace, but it's a great opportunity for him. I'm all about my guys trying to advance in the profession."

Edgar said he hopes to fill Lane's position as soon as possible.