Scene is set for start of Hansbrough's NBA career

There was a nice regional flavor to last week's NBA draft, topped by Poplar Bluff native Tyler Hansbrough being the 13th overall pick.

Hansbrough, a forward who completed his brilliant career at North Carolina as the ACC's all-time scoring leader, was taken by the Indiana Pacers.

Plenty of talk has centered on what type of NBA player the 6-foot-9 Hansbrough might be. Various experts have questioned his athleticism and potential ability to thrive against bigger, quicker and faster players.

Hansbrough, during workouts with various NBA teams, reportedly proved to be more athletic than many people had thought. And there never was any question about his work ethic and desire, which have always been off the charts.

I'm not sure Hansbrough ever will be a marquee NBA player, but he's got enough going for him to at least carve out a long and solid career at basketball's highest level.

In somewhat of a surprise, Missouri forward DeMarre Carroll went in the first round, No. 27 overall to the Memphis Grizzlies. Carroll had been considered a probable second-round pick by many people.

Carroll is a high-energy player and a hard worker. Plus he's fairly skilled for a bigger player.

Finally, Tennessee-Martin guard Lester Hudson barely slipped into the draft, going in the second round to the Boston Celtics. Hudson was the 58th of 60 selections.

Hudson's story is a neat one as he overcame a rough upbringing and academic issues that limited his high school hoops career to thrive at UT-Martin and become one of the top players in Ohio Valley Conference history.

In addition, Hudson earned his college degree, which is something he publicly stated was a goal of his before he entered his professional career.

As a second-round pick, Hudson -- the first OVC player picked in the NBA draft since Austin Peay's Trenton Hassell went No. 29 overall (the first selection of the second round) in 2001 to the Chicago Bulls -- is not guaranteed an NBA contract.

But Hudson has got enough talent -- along with the work ethic and heart that mark the styles of Hansbrough and Carroll -- to stick with the Celtics, who won the NBA title in 2008.

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I wrote in last week's column about three ex-Southeast Missouri State coaches being among 144 people who applied for the men's basketball coaching position at Division II West Florida.

Neither Scott Edgar, Tommy Suitts nor Tom Schuberth made the list of 10 finalists announced by the school Tuesday.

Edgar coached Southeast during the 2006-07 and 2007-08 seasons before being fired for alleged NCAA rules violations.

Suitts was a Southeast assistant in 2008-09 under acting coach Zac Roman while Schuberth was Gary Garner's chief recruiter for Southeast's lone Ohio Valley Conference championship and NCAA Division I tournament team in 1999-2000.

Schuberth has landed a coaching job for next season as he takes over the program at Paris (Texas) Junior College. Schuberth was most recently the coach at Division I Texas-Pan American.

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I recently wrote an article about all the volunteers needed for this week's American Junior Golf Association Rolex Tournament of Champions at Dalhousie Golf Club.

Southeast baseball coach Mark Hogan, the tournament's volunteer committee chairman, tells me the response for volunteers has been overwhelming and only a few more still are needed for the four-day event that begins Wednesday.

Not only will volunteers be a part in one of the nation's premier junior golf tournaments that will no doubt include several future professional stars, they'll also be rewarded for their time and effort.

All volunteers will receive a polo-type tournament shirt and a free round of golf at Dalhousie.

People interested in volunteering should call the tournament volunteer hot line at 803-0055.

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The Murray State baseball team stood an excellent chance of being the 2010 OVC preseason favorite if league pitcher of the year Daniel Calhoun returned for his senior campaign.

Murray, which featured a young roster this year, still might be tabbed as the OVC squad to beat next season, but the Thoroughbreds won't have the services of their star left-hander.

Calhoun, was drafted by the Cardinals in the 29th round and signed, meaning his college career is over.

I'm sure that's good news for every OVC team except the Thoroughbreds, because Calhoun was dominant in 2009, going 11-3 with a 2.32 ERA and 11 complete games.

Meanwhile, three of the OVC's four-highest picks in the draft -- all from Eastern Illinois -- have signed professional contracts.

Only junior pitcher Tyler Kehrer, selected No. 48 overall, had collegiate eligibility remaining. The other EIU draftees were senior outfielder Brett Nommensen (eighth round) and senior infielder Jordan Kreke (13th round).

Still no word on Jacksonville State junior pitcher Ben Tootle, who went in the third round, No. 101 overall.

Southeast's lone draftee, junior catcher Jim Klocke -- who went in the 46th round to the Cardinals -- has not yet made a decision on whether to sign or return to the Redhawks for his senior season.

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There will be no column next week while I'm on vacation, but I want to remind area baseball fans about the NBC Mid-South Regional that will be held July 10 to 12 at Capaha Field.

I'll have a preview before the tournament as the Plaza Tire Capahas shoot for their fifth straight regional title and 28th consecutive NBC World Series berth.

Marty Mishow is a sports writer for the Southeast Missourian.