TOP GUN: SOUTHEAST'S JOHNSON BOMBS OPPONENTS IN RECORD FASHION

Anybody who has watched Cory Johnson this season knows that he is a shooter deluxe, able to bomb home 3-pointers from distances and angles usually reserved for NBA players.

And that's pretty much the way it's been for Johnson's entire basketball life. That the Southeast Missouri State University junior guard is such a tremendous shooter certainly doesn't come by accident.

"I've been in the gym shooting the ball ever since I was a little kid," said Johnson following the Indians' practice Monday afternoon. "It just came naturally, I guess.

"I've been playing as long as I can remember and I've always tried to practice shooting in different situations."

In Johnson's case, practice has definitely made perfect because he has put up some exceptional numbers in his debut season at Southeast after transferring from Three Rivers Community College in Poplar Bluff, where he broke all of that school's 3-point shooting records.

Johnson has established himself as the Ohio Valley Conference's premier marksman by leading the league in three major categories: 3-point field-goal percentage (.460), free-throw percentage (.868) and 3-pointers per game (3.8).

And, while averaging a team-leading 15.3 points per game, Johnson has also made his mark as one of the nation's best long-range shooters: he ranks third nationally in 3-pointers per game.

"I don't know if there's a better shooter in the country," said Southeast coach Gary Garner. "I mean, Cory can flat shoot the basketball. His range is so great. And he doesn't need a lot of time to get it off."

Just this past Saturday, Johnson etched his name into Southeast's record book as he broke Curtis Shelton's mark for most 3-pointers in a season.

Shelton's record, set in 1993-94, was 86. Johnson, with three regular-season games and at least one OVC Tournament contest remaining, has 88 3-pointers, which means he still has a shot at reaching the OVC's single-season 3-point record of 104.

"I really haven't worried much about any records," said Johnson, extremely personable and good-natured. "As the year went on, I figured if it came, it came. If not, I wouldn't worry about it."

Still, he admits to expressing pride in the record, saying, "It does feel good. It means all the hard work has paid off. Plus, it means that my teammates, especially (point guard) Kahn (Cotton), have really been able to get me the ball a lot."

Johnson said he and Cotton -- his backcourt running mate who is also having a strong season for the Indians -- have established a nice chemistry.

"We've become a lot more used to each other lately," he said. "He's able to set so many people up, not just me. I think we work well together."

By his own admission, Johnson -- although he was all-state in both basketball and baseball at Clearwater High School -- does not appear to be the type of athlete that would excel at the Division I level.

Standing 6-feet and weighing about 175 pounds -- and without exceptional quickness -- some people might think Johnson would have trouble scoring against bigger, quicker defenders.

But with virtually unlimited range, an extremely quick release and the desire to work hard to get open, Johnson has been able to score well against virtually every opponent this season.

"I think hard work is part of it. When I went to Three Rivers I really worked on getting open and getting a quick shot off," he said. "But a big thing is having teammates to give me good screens. My teammates have been a big part of it."

Said Garner, "Cory has been so consistent this season. He works hard to get open and he doesn't need much room or time to get his shot off."

What makes Johnson's performance even more impressive is that he's been bothered by a sore back all season, the lingering effect of a broken back he suffered in high school.

The back can become extremely painful at times, as it did during Monday's practice when he had to stop playing in order to get treatment in the training room.

"I was told by the doctor I would have periodic pains the rest of my life, but it's never been this extreme," Johnson said. "The last couple of months it's been the worst it's ever been."

That Johnson has been able to play through the pain leaves an impression on Garner.

"Cory is really a tough kid," said the coach. "He's been in a lot of pain all year but he's played through it. That says a lot."

Johnson, who is majoring in criminal justice, said he's thoroughly enjoyed his first year at Southeast. And that would be made even better if the Indians -- who have won four of their last five games -- can secure a first-round home game for the OVC Tournament.

The Indians are in fifth place, just one-half game behind fourth-place Austin Peay (the top four teams earn first-round home games). Southeast has three regular-season games left, including home contests Thursday night (Tennessee-Martin) and Saturday night (Murray State).

"My first year here has been great. I was worried about the coaching change (Southeast's current staff did not recruit Johnson), but I have great respect for coach Garner and his system," said Johnson. "Our team has been playing well. Our main goal is to get a (tournament) home game and get to Nashville (for the tourney semifinals). It won't be easy, but we've got a shot at it."

And as long as Johnson keeps bombing home his long shots, the Indians just might make it yet.