Southeast basketball players in town for summer school

I ran into Southeast Missouri State men's basketball coach Dickey Nutt the other day and he told me some interesting news that he was really happy about.

All of Southeast's players -- the returnees and incoming recruits, including Missouri transfer Tyler Stone, who won't be eligible this coming season -- are in town attending a session of summer school.

That hasn't been the case in the past because the university was not willing to put the players on scholarship during the summer, meaning they would have had to pay their own way until the fall semester started.

Nutt told me he is elated and appreciative that athletic director John Shafer and other university officials were able to work things out.

Most major programs, along with many in the Ohio Valley Conference, do it that way and Nutt believes it's important that the Redhawks have finally joined the club.

From a program standpoint, more than actually attending summer school, the major benefit is that for about a month all the players are able to work out and compete in pickup games together -- all with no coaches present, per NCAA rules -- along with spending plenty of time together.

Nutt said he considers it a big boost to the Redhawks that they are getting a head start on bonding and becoming familiar with each other.

And that's not to discount the head start the Redhawks are getting in the classroom, especially the incoming recruits who are able to get their feet wet with Division I academics.

Who knows what lies ahead for Nutt's second Southeast squad, but if the 2010-11 Redhawks are considerably improved -- as expected -- then the time they spent in Cape Girardeau this summer likely will be considered a factor.

It can't hurt, that's for sure.

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Former Southeast All-American catcher Jim Klocke is beginning his professional baseball career with the Williamsport (Pa.) Crosscutters, the Philadelphia Phillies' Class A short-season team.

Klocke, who completed his eligibility at Southeast this year, was selected by the Phillies in the 31st round of the recent major league draft.

Williamsport opened its season Friday. Klocke had started one of the Crosscutters' first two games and was 0 for 4 entering a Sunday night contest.

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The area summer baseball season is in full swing, with the Plaza Tire Capahas and the Cape Girardeau American Legion -- along with various other teams -- well underway.

I've covered all of the Capahas' home games so far this year. Longtime manager Jess Bolen, as is often the case, has used a makeshift lineup in many of the contests.

The Caps are faring well -- they're 10-4 -- and should be especially tough once they are able to get all their players on hand consistently.

Cape Legion is off to one of its best starts in years at 21-3. I've covered several of Post 63's home games and have been impressed.

Defending District 14 champion Post 63 has its best team in a long time and, with a zone berth assured because it is hosting the event, could make a solid run at a state title.

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I didn't have a serious rooting interest in the NBA Finals, but I was happy the Lakers and Celtics provided a competitive, hard-fought, entertaining series that went the distance.

There wasn't much separating the teams but the Lakers finally prevailed 83-79 in Thursday's Game 7 that saw the Celtics lead much of the way.

And who would have guessed the highly inconsistent Ron Artest would have such a strong final game. Los Angeles probably would not have won without his stellar performance in that contest.

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Although I like soccer, it doesn't rank among my favorite sports.

But I especially enjoy following and watching the World Cup, which is probably not truly appreciated in this country. On a global basis, it's the world's biggest sporting event.

Marty Mishow is a sports writer for the Southeast Missourian.