The idea of playing Division I basketball and being able to stay close to home was enough for Jackson senior all-state guard Jack Puisis to make the decision to join the Southeast Missouri State basketball team next season as a walk-on.

Puisis, a 6-foot-2 guard, averaged 21.1 points per game while leading Class 5 Jackson to a 23-4 record this past season. Puisis shot 47 percent from 3-point range and 81 percent from the free-throw line.

Puisis earned second-team all-state honors and was the Southeast Missourian Player of the Year.

Although Puisis will not be on an athletic scholarship starting out, he said he hopes to earn a scholarship within his first two years with the program.

"This way I can work at it and earn my way, like I did in high school," Puisis said.

The Redhawks finished 15-14 this past season, falling in the Ohio Valley Conference tournament semifinals. Southeast has signed seven new recruits so far this spring, with five junior college recruits and two high school seniors.

"I understand they're getting new recruits, more athletic kids," Puisis said.

Puisis hopes his Southeast career can mirror the likes of former area recruits Derek Winans (Shawnee High School, East Cape Girardeau, Ill.) and Brett Hale (Dexter).

"Hopefully, I can take up where they left off, follow in their footsteps," Puisis said. "It's something I'd like to achieve. They're kind of my mentors now."

Making the transition from high school to college basketball will be an adjustment.

"I think next year the biggest factor is strength, that and picking up the speed of the game," Puisis said. "Strength is a big issue."

Puisis said he had several scholarship opportunities and could have played NAIA or junior college basketball but playing in front of family and friends was more important.

"I have great people around me," he said. "Especially being here at home, I have my parents and friends. I'll have a little more of an advantage than the other people will."