April 25, 2005

Cape Girardeau, Mo. - Southeast Missouri State University basketball coach Gary Garner has announced the signing of Eric Jones from Webster Groves High School in St. Louis and John Chappell from Highland Community College in Freeport, Ill.

Jones is a 6-4 guard who excelled in defense at Webster Groves. "Eric Jones is a great athlete who can shoot the three and play solid defense," Garner said. "He might be the best athlete of all the high school basketball players in St. Louis. His coach, Jay Blossom, really emphasized defense and Jones is very fundamentally sound. We are excited about having him join our basketball program."

Jones averaged 10.9 points and 5.4 rebounds per game for the Webster Groves team that was 25-5 and advanced to the state semi-finals before being beaten by Poplar Bluff. He shot 58% from the field, 37% from three and 69% from the line with 52 steals and 29 blocked shots. Jones has been selected to play in the Missouri all-star game in Springfield. He was player of the year in the Suburban South Conference as a junior.

Chappell is 6-6, 240, and will be a junior at Southeast. "John Chappell is a good athlete with the skills of a 3-man but will probably play the 4-position for us," Garner said. "He has good size and knows how to handle himself around the basket."

Chappell, originally from Columbus, Ohio, averaged 6.5 points and 6.3 rebounds per game for the Highland team that was 32-6 and finished sixth in the national tournament. "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 shot 56% from the field, 36% from three and 56% from the line. He had 38 blocked shots.

Garner also announced that Tyrell Curry of State Fair Community College who signed with Southeast during the early signing period will not be attending Southeast. "Curry suffered a foot and Achilles injury that has jeopardized his basketball career." Garner said. "Due to his injuries and personal problems he dropped out of State Fair before the end of the spring semester. He is dealing with the injury and the personal problems and will not be attending Southeast. We wish him well."