Ravens' Jones also earns Southeast degree

I wrote in Friday's paper about former Southeast Missouri State standout offensive lineman and current NFL player Dan Connolly doing the necessary work to finish up his college degree six years after he left school.

Connolly, who is with the New England Patriots and has been in the NFL since 2005, took part in Southeast's commencement at the Show Me Center on Saturday.

What I didn't know at the time I wrote the article, but found out over the weekend, was that Edgar Jones -- another ex-Southeast football star and current NFL player -- also has done the necessary work to finish his college degree, although he was not able to make it back for the commencement.

Jones, a linebacker/defensive end, is with the Baltimore Ravens and has been in the NFL since 2007.

Eugene Amano, another former Southeast football standout and current NFL player, came back to graduate in 2006.

Amano, an offensive lineman, has been in the NFL since 2004, spending his entire career with the Tennessee Titans.

I think it's really impressive that Amano, Connolly and Jones all finished work toward their degrees while playing in the NFL. That takes dedication and commitment.

By the way, Connolly and Amano were part of Southeast's 2002 team that went 8-4 for the program's best season since 1969.

That squad also included dazzling wide receiver Willie Ponder, who spent several seasons in the NFL and for a few years ranked among the league's top kick returners, along with cornerback Dimitri Patterson, a current NFL player with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Four future NFL players on one Southeast squad -- little wonder that 2002 outfit was so good.

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Southeast finally put out a press release Friday regarding several men's basketball players with eligibility remaining who will not be returning to the program, something I wrote about several weeks ago.

The group consists of junior forward Jajuan Maxwell, junior guard Sam Pearson, junior forward Eric McCrary and freshman guard LaQuentin Miles.

Maxwell will use his final season of eligibility at Drury University, a perennially strong Division II program in Springfield, Mo. Drury went 23-7 last year and made its fourth trip to the Division II national tournament in the past six seasons.

Maxwell graduated from Southeast on Saturday, so kudos to him.

Also, I've been told McCrary will play his final season at NAIA Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Mo., while Miles will play next year at Mineral Area College in Park Hills, Mo.

I don't know about Pearson's plans.

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It's a shame that Southeast women's basketball player Lauren Sharpe has been forced to give up the rest of her college career due to chronic back problems.

Sharpe, who missed much of her junior season in 2009-10, has suffered from back trouble since her freshman season. She proved to be a true warrior by playing in pain for much of her career but, after having surgery this year, decided to call it quits.

While not a big scorer, Sharpe provided the Redhawks with plenty of defense and hustle. On a young Southeast team, her presence next season will definitely be missed.

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The Southeast softball team had one of its worst seasons ever, finishing last in the OVC, but I still was surprised no Redhawks received conference postseason honors.

I thought Nicole Troncoso might receive consideration after she ended the regular season as the league's No. 5 hitter with a .345 average.

Junior college transfer Melissa Walker was overlooked for the all-newcomer squad despite finishing the regular season tied for the OVC's No. 12 batting average at .324.

Speaking of OVC softball, second-seeded Jacksonville State went undefeated to win the conference tournament held in Martin, Tenn.

Jacksonville State routed top-seeded and defending champion Tennessee-Martin 10-1 in five innings in Saturday's final to earn the league's automatic NCAA berth. The Gamecocks also beat the Skyhawks earlier in the tournament.

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If you've completed your American Legion eligibility and want to play some baseball this summer -- and you're pretty good -- the Plaza Tire Capahas will hold tryouts at 2 p.m. Sunday at Capaha Field.

For more information, call Jess Bolen at 979-1786.

Marty Mishow is a sports writer for the Southeast Missourian.