Paradoski injures knee, questionable for Sunday's game

~ The junior guard suffered the injury in Tuesday's practice.

Junior point guard Paul Paradoski has started all but three games during his Southeast Missouri State basketball career.

An injury suffered during practice Tuesday threatens to increase the above figure, but Southeast coach Scott Edgar is hopeful that Paradoski will be ready for Sunday's 4:30 p.m. Ohio Valley Conference home game against Jacksonville State.

Paradoski injured his left knee as he came down awkwardly following a collision with teammate David Johnson late in the practice.

Although Paradoski will likely be on crutches for at least a day or two, Edgar said X-rays were negative. Paradoski will also have an MRI soon, perhaps as early as today

"Paul was in a lot of pain, but we got better news than we thought. X-rays came up good," Edgar said. "I'm sure it'll be sore for a while and his practice time [the rest of the week] will be limited, but we're hopeful he'll be healthy to play Sunday."

Paradoski has started all 10 of Southeast's games this season. He leads the Redhawks in assists with 28, against 16 turnovers. He is averaging 5.4 points per game.

Paradoski started 26 of the Redhawks' 27 games last season, and as a freshman he started 27 of 29 games.

If Paradoski is unable to go Sunday, freshman Roderick Pearson would likely get the start.

Pearson, who has been averaging 17.1 minutes per game compared to 25.8 by Paradoski, has 18 assists and 27 turnovers. He is averaging 4.6 points a contest.

The Redhawks (3-7, 1-2) are in a three-way tie for eighth place in the 11-team OVC. Jacksonville State (2-6, 0-2) is last, but both its league losses have been by one point on last-second shots.