Redhawks' Maxwell to undergo third operation on knee

Southeast Missouri State basketball player Jajuan Maxwell will have his third right knee surgery in the span of one year.

Coach Scott Edgar said Tuesday that Maxwell is scheduled for arthroscopic surgery today in Cape Girardeau.

Edgar said the surgery is to perform some minor repair work, and he's hopeful that Maxwell will be 100 percent healthy well before the start of practice for next season.

"We're fortunate we found it this early," Edgar said. "Hopefully he will have time to rehab properly."

Maxwell, a 6-foot-6 forward, suffered a torn ACL last May that required reconstructive surgery. He had arthroscopic surgery prior to last season and sat out the year as a redshirt.

Maxwell, who has three seasons of eligibility remaining, averaged 5.1 points and three rebounds per game as a freshman in 2006-07. He averaged 14.2 minutes while primarily coming off the bench.

Some local media outlets, including the Southeast Missourian, reported recently that Maxwell had informed Edgar of his intention to transfer.

But Maxwell apparently had a change of heart and Edgar is counting on him to be a key player for the Redhawks.

"I look forward to Jajuan being a cornerstone for us," Edgar said.

Meanwhile, Edgar said he expects touted signee Martino Brock to be eligible next season, despite a recent NCAA ruling that left the incoming freshman wing player's eligibility in question.

The NCAA recently added Nashville Christian Advancement Academy — which Brock attended — to a list of 51 schools from which it will not recognize diplomas.

Brock must undergo an academic review before the NCAA determines his eligibility.

Nashville Christian Advancement Academy coach Carl Reed said he doesn't anticipate eligibility problems for his players from this year's team.

Edgar agrees in regard to Brock's situation.

"I have full confidence that Redhawks fans will be cheering for Martino Brock this coming season," Edgar said.

Smith finalist for job

Former Southeast women's basketball coach B.J. Smith is one of four finalists for the vacant head coaching position at Casper College, a junior college in Casper, Wyo.

Smith interviewed with Casper College officials Monday. The fourth finalist is scheduled to interview Thursday. It is not known what the timetable is for naming a new coach.

The other finalists are Mike Jacobsma, associate head coach at Colorado School of Mines, a Division II program; Miles City (Mont.) Community College coach Dwight Gunnare; and University of Utah assistant Matt Legerski.

Smith had a four-year record of 79-41 at Southeast, including the program's first Ohio Valley Conference championship and NCAA Division I tournament berth.

He resigned prior to the 2006-07 season amid allegations of NCAA rules violations. Southeast self-imposed sanctions, and in December the NCAA determined that the program should vacate all 79 wins under Smith and the NCAA tournament appearance should be taken away.

The ruling was appealed and Southeast is still awaiting word from the NCAA.

"I will get an opportunity at some point to be a head coach again, and wherever that place is, it'll be special," Smith told the Casper Star-Tribune newspaper. "I miss it, and it's something that I've always felt I'm good at and have enjoyed."