May 7, 2007

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - Hank Harris, 5-11 point guard at Seward County Community College in Liberal, Kan., has signed a letter of intent to play basketball next season at Southeast Missouri State University.

Harris, was a starter for the Saints for the entire conference schedule in 2006-07. He averaged nine points, 4.5 assists and 2.4 rebounds per game. Harris played in every game for the Saints during his two-year career at SCCC. He scored a career-high 27 points with six rebounds, two assists and two steals, in the Saints upset victory at Independence Community College in the First Round of the Region VI Tournament.

Hank Harris played in every game of his two-year junior college career. (Photo courtesy Seward County CC)

"We think the signing of Harris completes a very good recruiting class," said Southeast coach Scott Edgar. "Harris is a true point guard who is very quick and strong. I look for him to come in and challenge for the point guard position. I feel very good about having Roderick Pearson and Harris as a tandem that will play 40-minutes every game for the Redhawks." Harris shot 48% from the field, 29% from three and 75% from the line at Seward County.

"I think our staff, particularly Ronnie Dean, did an excellent job of assessing our needs and then filling them with players who can step in and play," Edgar said. "As our program improves and matures we will have more high school signees, but right now we need players who can step in and play immediately."

Harris is originally from Topeka, Kan. where he attended Highland Park High School. At SCCC, he helped lead the Saints to 38 victories and to the 2007 Region VI Tournament quarterfinals. Edgar's first complete recruiting class includes 6-10 high school standout Will Bogan from Bell City, 6-5 swingman Jaycen Herring from Palm Beach (Florida) Community College, hot shooting guard Kenard Moore from Marshalltown (Iowa) Community College and Harris.

"I'm pleased with the talent we have for next season," Edgar said. "Year two for new players including transfers and freshmen, is usually when you see the most improvement and you also see improvement in year two of any program. I'm excited about the prospects for next season."