SEMO PLANS TO NAME BASKETBALL FINALISTS

The search for a new head men's basketball coach at Southeast Missouri State University is apparently moving fast -- just like school officials had originally promised.

Southeast released a statement Tuesday indicating that the field of candidates will be narrowed to several finalists by early next week.

At least three finalists will be introduced in Cape Girardeau on separate days next week for news conferences with area media members.

Finalists will be introduced next Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, with a possible fourth finalist introduced next Friday.

The search committee for a new coach is co-chaired by Dr. Joe Low, Southeast's faculty athletic representative; and Ken Dobbins, Southeast's executive vice president.

Other members of the committee are David Dumars, athletics representative; Jason Lane, student government president; Mike Kohlfeld, president of the Southeast Booster Board; Kim Mothershead, alumni council representative; Georgeanne Syler, athletics committee representative; and Carroll Williams, Southeast's interim athletic director.

As reported recently in the Southeast Missourian, believed to be among the leading candidates to replace Ron Shumate as the Indians' next coach are Missouri assistant Kim Anderson, Iowa State assistant Sam Weaver and Fort Hays (Kan.) State head coach Gary Garner.

Anderson, Weaver and Garner all told the Missourian last week that they are interested in taking over Southeast's basketball program.

Shumate was dismissed earlier this month amid an NCAA investigation.