SAULSBERRY LEAVES SE; TRIBE SIGNS PREP STAR

Southeast Missouri State University's men's basketball program gained one player but lost another Thursday.

Coach Gary Garner announced that junior guard Dewayne Saulsberry, who saw limited action last season, will leave Southeast at the end of the spring semester and transfer to another school.

"We hate to see Dewayne leave because he is such a great kid," said Garner. "He simply wanted to get more playing time. He is leaving on very good terms.

"Dewayne worked very hard while he was here, but he just didn't get much playing time. We wish him the best."

Saulsberry, who transferred to Southeast from St. Catharine Junior College, averaged 2.3 points and 1.1 rebounds per contest while playing in 22 games last season. He averaged 9.7 minutes a game.

Meanwhile, Garner announced the signing of his third recruit for next season, 6-foot-7, 190-pound forward Drew DeMond, a senior at Hononegah High School in Rockton, Ill.

DeMond, a two-time all-area and all-conference selection, averaged 16 points, eight rebounds and nearly five blocked shots per game as a senior. He scored more than 1,200 career points.

An impressive all-around athlete, DeMond also placed fourth in the 400-meters at the Illinois Class A state track meet with a time of 49.7 seconds. He holds his school's triple-jump record at 43 feet 10 inches.

"Drew DeMond is an excellent athlete with tremendous potential," said Garner. "He is a great leaper and an outstanding shot blocker. He will definitely be a big addition to our basketball program."

Signing with the Indians earlier in the week were a pair of junior-college forwards, 6-6 Mike Branson from Meramec Community College in St. Louis and 6-8 Brian Bunche from West Plains Community College.

Branson averaged 18.4 points and 8.9 rebounds per game in earning second-team Division II All-American honors on the junior-college level. Bunche averaged 10 points and seven rebounds per game as he helped lead West Plains to the state juco championship.

Southeast entered the spring signing period with three available scholarships for next season, but Saulsberry leaving will free up a fourth.

The Indians are hoping to use that fourth and final scholarship to sign Larry Fisher, a standout 6-4 forward at Three Rivers Community College in Poplar Bluff. Fisher is reported to be leaning toward Southeast.