Koeper making mark at SEMO

Of the many differences Andrea Koeper sees between college basketball and the high school variety, Southeast Missouri State University's freshman forward from Jackson High School laughed loudly when she mentioned one in particular.

"These girls are all a lot stronger," she said during the Otahkians' recent media day. "In high school I was used to knocking people around. Not here."

But, added a smiling Koeper -- who is about as easy-going and personable off the court as she is competitive and hard-nosed on it -- "I love it. I'm having so much fun."

And likewise, Southeast coach Ed Arnzen is enjoying having the 5-foot-9 Koeper on his team.

"She's not the most talented kid, but she really is a good worker and she's very serious about the game," said Arnzen. "She's a pleasure to coach and she's looked good so far. She'll help us a lot."

While Koeper is not a starter for the Otahkians, she figures to be a key player coming off the bench. During the season-opening Texas-Pan American Tournament over the weekend, she played a total of 35 minutes in the two games and scored six points as Southeast went 1-1.

Originally ticketed to play her natural position of small forward, Koeper was recently asked to move over to more of a power forward spot to provide depth after freshman Tanya Guell was lost for the season with a knee injury.

"We wanted to play her at the three spot, and that's probably her best position, but we need her at the four now and she hasn't complained one bit," Arnzen said.

Said Koeper, "I'm probably more comfortable at the three, but it doesn't really matter. Wherever they need me, I'll play. I just want to do what I can to help the team. I just want to have fun, get to know everybody and play as well as I can."

It's that kind of attitude, according to Jackson coach Ron Cook, that helped make Koeper a two-time all-stater for his squad. Last season she led the Lady Indians in scoring, rebounding and assists as Jackson finished third in the Class 4A state tournament.

"Andrea was really a great player for us," said Cook. "She did so many things for us and a lot of things that don't show up in the stats."

Koeper credits the tutelage she received under Cook as a key in helping her adjust relatively well to the college game so far.

Koeper, who averaged 16 points per game for the Lady Indians last year, is excited about her rookie season with the Otahkians.

"I think we're going to have a good year, and coming from a winning program, I expect it," she said.

Koeper also expects to have plenty of family and friends at the Show Me Center this year, beginning Tuesday night when the Otahkians open their home schedule against Division II Oakland City.

"That's one of the reasons I really wanted to come here," she said. "All my family will be at the games and also my friends."

Added Koeper with a grin, "It will be just like a Jackson High School game.