~ big contributor for the top-ranked team in Class 4 makes verbal commitment to Redhawks.

The Southeast Missouri State men's basketball program has picked up a verbal commitment from a prep forward with a knack for blocking shots.

Abel Tillman, a 6-foot-7 senior at Berkeley High School in St. Louis County, said this week that he plans to make it official with Southeast during April's spring signing period.

Tillman is averaging about eight points, 10 rebounds and five blocks per game for the state's top-ranked Class 4 team that is 9-0.

Last year as a junior, Tillman averaged 10 points, 11 rebounds and five blocks for a Berkeley squad that went 22-5.

"I plan to sign in April. I'm excited about it," said Tillman, who praised the recruiting work done by Southeast assistant Ronnie Dean. "I felt like he was looking out for my best interests."

Berkeley coach Gerald Jones said Southeast will be getting an athletic player whose best basketball is very much still ahead of him.

"He's a slender kid [about 190 pounds], but he has great athleticism around the basket and he can jump out of the gym," Jones said. "He's got to get stronger for the next level, but he's really improved over the last couple of years.

"He has an incredible upside. SEMO is getting a very good player, and he's a great kid. Cape Girardeau will be lucky to have him in town."

Jones, who said Tillman set a state record last year with 135 blocks, considers Tillman to be a solid scorer, but the balanced Bulldogs don't rely as much on his offense as they do his rebounding and shot-blocking.

Tillman, who said he was also being recruited by the likes of SIU, Illinois State and Western Kentucky, is shooting 69 percent from the field.

"He can shoot the 14, 15-footer," Jones said.

Southeast coach Scott Edgar is not allowed to comment on recruits until they sign letters of intent.

Edgar and his staff signed two players during the early period in November: Martino Brock, a 6-5 high school wing from Nashville, Tenn., and Mark Caviness, a 6-5 forward from Indian River Community College in Florida.