Better late than never as far as Dainmon Gonner and Southeast Missouri State University's men's basketball program are concerned.

Gonner, a standout at Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College the past two seasons, originally signed with Southeast last spring but failed to meet NCAA eligibility requirements.

But Gonner took care of his academic situation this semester and again signed a national letter of intent with Southeast Thursday, the second day of the week-long early signing period.

Gonner, a 6-foot-7, 230-pound forward, averaged 18 points and 7.5 rebounds per game for a 22-8 team last season as he was an all-region selection.

After graduating from Hutchinson at the semester, Gonner will enroll at Southeast in January and practice with the Indians the reminder of the season. He'll then have two seasons of eligibility, beginning next year.

"We'd hoped to have Dainmon at the beginning of this year, but we're very pleased to still get him now," Southeast coach Gary Garner said. "He's a pretty complete player, he handles the ball well, he can shoot the ball, he's a good rebounder.

"He's a warrior, a really tough kid. He'll really battle you. And he comes out of a very good junior college program so he's ahead of most junior college kids. He'll really help us a lot next year."

And Gonner being able to practice with the Indians once he arrives on campus should be an added boost.

"Getting him used to our system and playing with the other guys should make a big difference," Garner said.

Gonner is the second player landed by Southeast during the early period, following Caruthersville High School senior Chris Springer, a 5-10 guard who signed Wednesday.

And expected to sign either today or Saturday is Caruthersville product Norman Prather, a 6-4 guard who is in his second year at Mineral Area College in Park Hills, Mo.

Otahkians sign another

One day after signing two players, first-year Southeast women's coach B.J. Smith landed another when he received a letter of intent from Almelida Silva, a 6-3 senior center at Fort Smith (Ark.) Northside High School.

Silva was part of a team last season that won its fourth straight Arkansas Class 5A state championship and was ranked in the top 20 nationally.

"She will be an impact player on this team and eventually in the Ohio Valley Conference," Smith said. "She has great hands, quick feet and tremendous scoring ability. She has a lot of potential and should step in and play for us right away."

Wednesday, the Otahkians signed Sammi Jo Cotton, a 5-7 guard from Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College; and Jessica Aebi, a 5-7 high school senior point guard from Enid, Okla.