Redhawks tune up with homecoming scrimmage

After two weeks of basketball practice in mostly empty gyms, Southeast Missouri State appreciated getting to play in front of some fans Saturday morning.

Sure, it was just an intrasquad scrimmage, but the Redhawks said having about 100 supporters in attendance at the Show Me Center added some spice to their preseason.

"Something like this is good to break up the practice routine," said guard Paul Paradoski, "and it's nice the fans came out."

The team broke the scrimmage into five five-minute sessions, capped by a three-minute session, with the Red team consisting of Southeast's probable starting lineup. Ohio Valley Conference officials were used.

"It was better than I expected for this time of the year," Southeast coach Gary Garner said. "Yeah, it was ragged, but probably not as ragged as I thought, considering we have so many new players.

"We still have such a long way to go, but I thought we showed some good signs. We're definitely more athletic than we've been the last few years."

The Red team won four of the six sessions and had an overall 47-31 advantage.

Senior guard Roy Booker, a Montana transfer, led the Red squad -- and all scorers -- with 13 points. He had five assists.

Junior Terrick Willoughby added 12 points, and senior center Waylon Francis contributed 10 points and eight rebounds.

"Waylon has really gotten better," Garner said.

Also for the Red team, junior college transfer forward Andrais Thornton had eight points and five rebounds.

"He's really going to help us," Garner said.

Paradoski ran the point most of the way for the Red squad, switching sides late in the scrimmage with junior college transfer Eric Burtin. Paradoski had five assists.

Center Mike Rembert, a Bradley transfer who is not eligible to participate in games this season, led the White squad with seven points. Junior college transfer center Tyrell White grabbed 10 rebounds.

"I think we looked good and showed a lot of progress," Willoughby said. "We're more athletic and can do more things than we could my first two years here."

Rembert and forward Brandon Foust -- a transfer from Oklahoma who also is ineligible this season under NCAA transfer rules -- showed fans glimpses of their potential, with Foust having a highlight-reel follow dunk.

"I'm really pleased the way those two are working," Garner said. "Sometimes it's hard to stay motivated, knowing you can't play in games, but they have really done well."