Southeast Missouri basketball stars chase dreams on the collegiate level

The local area has long been a hotbed of basketball talent, producing generations of exceptional athletes who have left their mark on the game at every level. From Division I stars to small-college standouts, these local heroes have brought pride to their communities and inspired countless young players to pursue their dreams on the hardwood.

This season is no different, as a new crop of players are making waves across the collegiate landscape. From the high-flying dunks of Demarcus Sharp at Austin Peay State to the sharpshooting skills of Karris Allen at Western Kentucky, these athletes are showcasing their exceptional talents and carrying on the proud tradition of Southeast Missouri basketball.

__Demarcus Sharp, Austin Peay State (Charleston)__

The senior opened the season with a 90-72 win over Life. Sharp recorded 10 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists, four steals and one block.

The Governors loss 67-45 to George Mason. Sharp finished the game with a team-high 23 points on 8-of-24 field goals and 7-of-7 from the free throw line. He also had four steals, two assists and two blocks.

Austin Peay State will host Fisk on Tuesday, November 14.

Guard Karris Allen (32) of the WKU Hilltoppers at E.A. Diddle Arena on January 26, 2023, in Bowling Green, KY. (Steve Roberts/WKU Athletics)

__Karris Allen, Western Kentucky (Sikeston)__

The sophomore has helped the Lady Toppers get off to a 3-0 start. Allen finished with four points, six rebounds, two steals and a block in a 62-56 win over Cornell. She also had seven points, three rebounds, two steals and a block in a 76-62 win over Southern Utah, and contributed a career-high 11 points, eight rebounds, three steals and two assists in a 70-64 win over Mercer in the WAC/Conference USA Challenge.

Western Kentucky travels to Vanderbilt on Wednesday, November 15.

Owen Long (14) puts up a shot during a game last season. (Photo courtesy of Emporia State)

__Owen Long, Emporia State (Sikeston)__

The senior is leading the Hornets through four games, averaging 17.2 points per game.

Long tallied with 18 points, three assists, two rebounds and two steals in a 78-73 loss to UNC Pembroke; 17 points, two assists and two steals in a 72-59 win over Virginia Union; 12 points, three assists, one steal and one rebound in an 86-76 win over Arkansas Tech; and a career-high 19 points, three assists and three rebounds in an 83-63 win over Southwestern Oklahoma.

Emporia State hosts Truman on Wednesday, November 15.

Parker Long (3) competes during a game last season. (Photo courtesy of Missouri Southern)

__Parker Long, Missouri Southern (Sikeston)__

The senior opened the season with 12 points, two rebounds, one steal and one assist in a 99-81 loss to Minnesota State-Moorhead.

Parker and Lions rebounded with a pair of wins. He finished with four points, four rebounds and two assists in a 69-61 win over Bemidji State, and had three assists and two assists in a 92-56 win over Central Christian College.

Missouri Southern will take on Illinois-Springfield in the Double Tree Thanksgiving Classic on November 21.

Leah Cauble (32) shoots during a game in Puerto Rico earlier this season. (Photo courtesy of Union)

__Leah Cauble, Union (Oran)__

The graduate student has helped the Bulldogs to a 3-0 start.

Cauble contributed two points and three rebounds in a 108-70 win over Colorado State-Pueblo; 12 points, three rebounds, two steals, one block and one assist in a 118-62 win over Puerto Rico-Bayamon; and a career-high 20 points and three rebounds in a 95-51 win over Puerto Rico-Mayaguez.

Union will travel to Trevecca Nazarene on November 21.

Sam Bledsoe (13) shoots during a game last season. (Photo courtesy of Missouri-St. Louis)

__Sam Bledsoe, Missouri-St. Louis (Charleston)__

The junior and the Triton have started the season 1-1. Bledsoe has seen limited action playing seven minutes in a 75-70 loss to Cedarville and 10 minutes in a 76-73 win over No. 16 Bentley.

Missouri-St. Louis travels to Winona State on Thursday, November 16.

Rico Coleman (0) shoots a free throw earlier this season. (Photo courtesy of Arkansas State-Newport)

__Rico Coleman, Arkansas State-Newport (Charleston)__

The freshman has helped the Aviators start the season 4-1. Coleman finished with 15 points, a team-high nine rebounds, two assists and a steal in an 87-67 win over Shorter.

Coleman played one minute in a 141-60 win over Crowley’s Ridge (JV) and a 94-78 win over Dyersburg State. He finished with seven points, seven rebounds, three assists and three steals in a 112-75 win over William’s Baptist (JV); and four points and six rebounds in a 104-52 loss to Mineral Area.

Arkansas State-Newport plays Dallas-Brookhaven in the Pioneer Classic at North Arkansas College on Friday, November 17.

Trey Stanback (2) stands for a photo. (Photo courtesy of Independence Community College)

__Trey Stanback, Independence (Charleston)__

The freshman finished with 14 points, three assists, three steals and two rebounds in a 70-66 win over Labette. Stanback had 19 points, two rebounds and a steal in a 102-78 loss to Eastern Oklahoma State; and 11 points two rebounds, an assist and a steal in an 82-67 loss to Connors State.

Stanback didn’t play in a 92-76 loss to Kilgore or a 78-68 loss at Tyler Junior College.

Independence hosts Oklahoma Wesleyan (JV) on Thursday, November 16.

Charleston�s Ashanti Jones handles the ball Saturday in a first-round contest at the 2019 Lady Royals Classic at Twin Rivers High School in Broseley, Missouri. (File Photo)

__Asanti Jones, Blackburn (Charleston)__

The senior finished with nine points, two assists, one rebound and one steal in an 83-59 loss to Great Lakes Christian. Jones had eight points, eight assists and six rebounds in the Beaver’s 70-59 win over Kuyper.

Blackburn will host Maranatha Baptist on Tuesday, November 14.

Katie and Haley Webb stand for a photo after Haley's recent signing ceremony. (Submitted)

__Katie and Haley Webb, Culver-Stockton (Oran)__

Katie, a junior, finished with 13 points, 10 rebounds, a steal and an assist in a 62-49 loss to Columbia (Missouri); five points, six rebounds, two blocks, an assist and a steal in a 76-37 win over Hannibal-LaGrange; two points and two rebounds in a 91-84 loss to Shawnee State; and three points and two rebounds in a 81-74 loss to Ohio Christian.

Haley, a freshman, saw limited action in the Wildcats’ first three games, but she had eight points, four rebounds, a steal and an assist in an 81-74 loss to Ohio Christian.

Culver-Stockton travels to MidAmerica Nazarene on Saturday, November 17.

As the season progresses, these local basketball stars will undoubtedly continue to shine, adding new chapters to the rich basketball legacy of Southeast Missouri. Their dedication, talent, and passion for the game are a source of inspiration for aspiring athletes and a testament to the enduring power of sports to bring communities together. Stay tuned for more updates on their exciting journeys as they chase their dreams on the basketball court.

If there are any athletes you would like added to the list please contact sports editor Dennis Marshall at dmarshall@standard-democrat.com.