News finally smiles on SE

There hasn't been much good news for Southeast Missouri State University's men's basketball program in recent weeks, but coach Gary Garner finally received some Monday.

Junior forward/center Drew DeMond, the Indians' lone full-time returning starter from last year who missed Friday's season opener against Birmingham Southern, was cleared to return to practice and he will be in the starting lineup Saturday night when Southeast (0-1) plays at Southwest Missouri State (0-1).

DeMond had been sidelined for the past couple of weeks with a torn ligament in the knuckle of his left index finger.

"Drew has to be careful, but he's a go," said Garner. "We really need him in there, especially for rebounding and defense, and it will be good to have him back."

Added Garner with a laugh, "It's the first good news we've had in a while."

The Indians had only five scholarship players in uniform against Birmingham Southern, a 62-51 loss. They'll get two more players back for SMS, but will still have just six scholarship players available.

Joining DeMond in the lineup Saturday will be redshirt freshman guard Derek Winans, who will make his Southeast debut after missing the opener while serving a one-game suspension for an inadvertent NCAA violation stemming from him playing in one Cape Girardeau City League basketball game last year.

"Having Derek is really going to help us," Garner said. "We need his scoring and his ability to create shots. He also gives us a spark defensively.

Weaver won't play

But missing from Saturday's contest will be junior forward/center Daniel Weaver, who scored a career-high 14 points and tied a career high with eight rebounds against Birmingham Southern. Weaver will be in Memphis, Tenn., for his older brother's wedding.

"I can't tell you how much Daniel being gone hurts us for this game," said Garner. "He's probably playing the best of anybody on our team. He has really improved."

Still out for two more contests is sophomore forward Damarcus Hence, who was suspended by Garner for the first three games of the season because of an unspecified violation of team rules.

And out for five more games are senior forward Monte Gordon, junior guard Kenny Johnson and sophomore guard Justin Smith, who are all ineligible until the second semester.

Brune leaves team

Bobby Brune, a quarterback for the Southeast football team who recently completed his eligibility in that sport and then joined the basketball Indians prior to their opening game, has decided to leave the team.

Brune, who played in the final minute against Birmingham Southern, wants to devote his athletic attention to preparing for a tryout in the Arena Football League. He will be in Peoria, Ill., early next week for talks with the Peoria Pirates of the AFL.