SCOTT CITY'S CAUBLE INKS AT SOUTHWESTERN

SCOTT CITY -- Dustin Cauble parlayed an all-state basketball career at Scott City High School into a college scholarship.

Cauble, the Rams' two-time all-stater, recently signed a letter of intent with Southwestern College, an NAIA school in Winfield, Kan.

"They've got a pretty good program and they play a very good schedule, with some Division I and Division II schools on it," said Scott City coach Derek McCord. "I think it's a good choice for Dustin."

A sturdy 6-foot-4, 210-pounder, Cauble averaged 25 points and 13 rebounds during his senior season as he repeated on the Class 2A all-state first team.

A three-year starter for the Rams, Cauble helped lead Scott City to a combined 52-9 record the past two seasons. The Rams advanced to the Class 2A state quarterfinals during Cauble's junior season.

"Dustin is strong and he has good hands," said McCord. "He runs the floor well for a pretty big kid. He can shoot with either hand and he can step out and shoot the three. We didn't need him to do that as much, but I think he'll be able to do that in college."

Also a strong student academically, Cauble will likely study computer science in college.

"It's a good school for athletics and academics and I think Dustin has a good chance to go there and play right away," McCord said. "The thing I like about it is they've recruited him all season long. They've really been interested all along."

Cauble becomes the fourth Scott City player in the last three years to earn a basketball scholarship and a fifth -- Cauble classmate Chris Sisk -- will likely sign with a college in the coming weeks.

"You can put all the records aside, but the thing that pleases me the most is our program is producing college caliber athletes, both athletically and academically," said McCord.

* Another former Scott City standout -- who is already included in the list of ex-Rams earning basketball scholarships -- also recently signed with Southwestern College.

Jeremy Mabry, a 1995 Scott City graduate, earned a scholarship to Shawnee (Ill.) Community College after finishing up his career with the Rams. He spent the past two seasons playing for Shawnee.

A 6-3 guard, Mabry averaged about 17 points per game while earning all-district honors as a senior at Scott City. He was McCord's second player to earn a basketball scholarship.

"Like Dustin, I think Jeremy can go there (Southwestern) and help out," said McCord. "It's a good place for both guys. I'm really impressed with their coaches. They really know a lot about the game."