Winans will likely miss a few games

Southeast's leading scorer of the past three seasons has been slow to recover from a stress fracture.

By Marty Mishow ~ Southeast Missourian

Southeast Missouri State University's men's basketball program received some bad news Monday regarding star senior guard Derek Winans.

Winans, who has not yet been able to practice because of a stress fracture in his leg, received a second opinion from a doctor in St. Louis on Monday and was told he will have to remain sidelined for up to an additional month.

"It's definitely not good news," Southeast coach Gary Garner said.

The original timetable about three weeks ago regarding Winans had him starting practice some time this week, but the injury simply has not healed well enough.

"It wasn't the news we wanted," Winans said. "It's disappointing because I'll probably miss a few games."

Winans, who had not been on crutches, will use crutches for at least a while in order to keep as much pressure off the leg as possible. But he said he will still be able to use various stationary cardiovascular equipment in order to stay in reasonable shape.

"It's not like playing, but I can still keep my cardio going. He just doesn't want me to walk on it," Winans said.

Southeast, which began practice on Oct. 16, plays the first of two exhibition games Saturday night when Harris-Stowe, an NAIA team from St. Louis, visits the Show Me Center. The regular season opens Nov. 19 at Bradley.

"Derek will have to get in shape and it will take him a while after he comes back, but if anybody can do it quickly, it's him," Garner said.

Winans, a product of nearby Shawnee (Ill.) High School, has been Southeast's leading scorer the past three seasons, including an average of 14.5 points per game last year.

While Garner acknowledges that Winans will be sorely missed during the time he's out, Southeast does at least have some depth at two guard with the likes of senior Brett Hale, senior Mike Nelke and even sophomore Terrick Willoughby, who is slated to start at point guard. Hale will replace Winans in the starting lineup.

"It never helps to lose your leading scorer of the past three years. That's going to hurt," Garner said. "But at that position we do have Brett and Mike, and Terrick can play there, so we are a little better off there with depth at that position."

Winans said he has full confidence that his teammates can hold things together until he returns.

"I'm going to get back as quick as I can, but I have confidence in the team while I'm out," he said. "I think they're looking pretty good in practice."