Redhawks sign two recruits but lose another

Eric Jones, who verbally committed to the Southeast Missouri State men's basketball program prior to last fall's early signing period but never actually signed, has finally put his signature on a national letter of intent.

Southeast coach Gary Garner announced the signing of Jones on Monday, along with junior college forward John Chappell. Chappell's signing had previously been reported, although Southeast waited until Monday to officially release it while some issues with his transcript were being worked out.

Jones is a 6-foot-4 senior guard at Webster Groves High School in St. Louis, where he excelled on defense for a team that went 25-5 and lost in the Class 5 quarterfinals to eventual state champion Poplar Bluff. The Statesmen were 49-10 the past two seasons.

Jones averaged 10.9 points and 5.4 rebounds per game as a senior. He shot 58 percent from the field, 37 percent from 3-point range and 69 percent from the free-throw line, while recording 52 steals and 29 blocks. He was player of the year in the Suburban South Conference as a junior and a three-time all-conference selection.

"I think his best basketball is in front of him," Webster Groves coach Jay Blossom said. "He's an unbelievably good athlete, probably the best athlete in St. Louis, I think. It's a matter of being able to step up and use that athleticism, but I think he has a better upside than most other players."

Said Garner: "Eric Jones is a great athlete who can shoot the three and play solid defense. He might be the best athlete of all the high school basketball players in St. Louis. Coach Blossom really emphasized defense and Jones is very fundamentally sound. We are excited about having him join our basketball program."

Garner said he is equally as excited about landing Chappell, a 6-6, 240-pounder who did not post overly impressive statistics while playing for a balanced, loaded team at Highland Community College in Freeport, Ill.

Chappell, originally from Columbus, Ohio, averaged 6.5 points and 6.3 rebounds per game as a sophomore for a Highland squad that was 32-6 and finished sixth in the national junior college tournament. He shot 56 percent from the field and 36 percent from 3-point range, while blocking 38 shots.

"They had a very good team with several players who will go on to play college basketball, including one player who has already signed with St. John's," Garner said. "Chappell's numbers aren't that impressive, but he played on a great team and knows how to play the team game.

"Chappell is a good athlete with the skills of a 3-man, but will probably play the 4-position for us. He has good size and knows how to handle himself around the basket. He will definitely help us a lot."

While Southeast signed two players, the Redhawks will not have the services of their lone signee from the early fall period.

Garner said that Tyrell Curry, a forward from State Fair Community College, will not attend Southeast. He suffered a foot injury at State Fair, which caused him to miss much of the season and led to him dropping out of the junior college in Sedalia, Mo.

"Due to his injuries and personal problems he dropped out of State Fair before the end of the spring semester," Garner said. "He is dealing with the injury and the personal problems and will not be attending Southeast. We wish him well."

Southeast will probably sign at least three more players in the next several weeks.