Redhawks to hold first practice basketball today

Jajuan Maxwell acknowledges that the 2008-2009 Southeast Missouri State men's basketball season was a nightmare.

But as the 2009-2010 Redhawks prepare to begin official practice today, Maxwell believes what he and Southeast's other three returning players had to endure last year has served to make them stronger.

And Maxwell emphasized that what happened a year ago has been left in the past.

"I think it built our character for the four still here," Maxwell said before Southeast's final preseason workout Thursday. "It definitely helped me grow."

Last year's Redhawks were rocked before the season started when coach Scott Edgar was placed on administrative leave amid allegations of NCAA rules violations. He never returned to the bench and was fired during the campaign.

On the court, Southeast compiled a 3-27 record, including an 0-18 Ohio Valley Conference mark. The Redhawks will carry the nation's longest losing streak -- 19 games -- into this season.

"It's definitely a different chapter [this year]," said Maxwell, a junior forward who is Southeast's top returning scorer at 7.2 points per game. "We came in with a winning attitude. We're leaving last year in the past and just looking forward."

Southeast's other holdovers are three seniors: forwards LaMont Russell and Israel Kirk, along with wing Johnny Hill.

Russell is the squad's top returning rebounder, at 6.1 per game, just ahead of the six that Maxwell averaged. Russell contributed five points a contest while shooting a team-high 61.1 percent from the field.

Hill averaged 5.9 points and 3.5 rebounds. Kirk added 1.8 points and 2.4 rebounds while battling through a leg injury.

"I'm ready to go. This is our redemption year," said the upbeat Kirk. "Yeah, it was [like a nightmare] last year, but we can't focus on that. This is 2009-2010, a new year. We have to look forward."

Said Russell: "There's no point in looking back. All you can do is look forward. I'm just excited to play basketball again and [for] a coach who really wants to win."

That new coach, Dickey Nutt, said he has been impressed with the commitment the four returning players have displayed.

"I give them a lot of credit," Nutt said. "They're very hungry for direction. They're very open to what I have to say, what we have to say as a staff."

Nutt said the four will be looked upon for leadership, but the same goes with the 11 new players he has restocked the roster with.

"Leadership is going to have to be earned," Nutt said. "I'm so proud of the four guys returning, but it's wide open. I've enjoyed the leadership from the returning guys and the new ones."

The returning Redhawks are high on the newcomers both on and off the court.

"We've got a lot of guys with a winning attitude," Maxwell said.

Added Kirk: "Coach Nutt recruited a lot of high-character guys. I think we're going to get it done."