Shooting for 1,000

For Derek Winans, becoming just the 18th player in Southeast Missouri State University men's basketball history to join the 1,000-point club will carry a more special meaning than it might have for many of those who came before him.

That's because Winans, a junior guard, grew up just minutes from the Show Me Center, in East Cape Girardeau, Ill.

"That's one of the reasons I came here, so my family and friends can see me play," Winans said. "Being from so close to here, it means a lot to me."

Winans, a former standout at Shawnee (Ill.) High School, has 994 career points heading into Thursday's Ohio Valley Conference opener against visiting Austin Peay, the defending champion.

"Being only the 18th player at SEMO to do it, it's a great accomplishment," Winans said. "But I wouldn't have all those points if I didn't have my teammates. It's an individual honor, but it's also a team thing."

Said Southeast coach Gary Garner, "You can't talk about Derek without talking about how hard he plays and practices all the time. I don't think I've ever enjoyed coaching a young man more. If there's ever an honor like this that somebody deserves, he does."

Winans, known to Southeast fans for his constant energy and all-out hustle, has been a fixture in the lineup the past three years. He has started 68 straight games, missing only the opening contest of his college career as a minor penalty for inadvertently committing an NCAA rules infraction by participating in a local rec league game during his redshirt season, when he was allowed to practice with the Indians but not participate in games.

"He's been such a valuable player for us," Garner said. "People see his scoring, and he is a good scorer, but he helps us in so many other ways."

The 6-foot-2 Winans was the Indians' leading scorer the past two years, averaging 15.3 points per game last season and 14.9 points two years ago, when he was the OVC Freshman of the Year.

This season, Winans' scoring has dropped off to 12.1 -- which is second on the team -- primarily because the Indians have a much better and deeper squad. But that suits Winans' just fine.

"I don't care about the scoring, I just want to win," Winans said. "We have a great team this year and it's exciting. I really think we can contend for the OVC championship."

Winans, who is shooting a sizzling 46.2 percent from 3-point range, is naturally proud of his basketball accomplishments.

But Winans, as friendly and humble off the court as he is fierce on it, takes just as much if not more pride in his academic achievements. He has a perfect 4.0 grade-point average, meaning he has never received less than an 'A' in any class during his first 3 1/2 years at Southeast. And he doesn't plan to have that change any time soon.

"Academics is my top priority. I take pride in making good grades," said the business major. "I'd love to graduate with a perfect GPA."

Gonner honored again

For the second time this season, Southeast junior forward Dainmon Gonner is the OVC newcomer of the week. In three games, he averaged 16 points and eight rebounds as the Indians went 2-1.

Gonner, a transfer from Hutchinson Community College, is the Indians' leading scorer at 14.3 points per game. He is also second in rebounding (6.4) and is shooting 44.8 percent from 3-point range.

"Dainmon has really been a big addition to our team," Garner said. "He's a complete player who can score around the basket and shoot from the outside."