CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO. (November 13, 2000) - Dexter High School all-state basketball player Brett Hale has signed a national letter of intent to enroll at Southeast Missouri State University in the fall of 2001.

Southeast coach Gary Garner announced that Hale has signed during the early signing period. "We are extremely happy to sign a very complete basketball player like Brett Hale," Garner said. "He is an excellent shooter who shoots the three with range. Being a coaches son, he is a very intelligent player who really understands the game of basketball."

Hale, 6-2, was a 3-A all-state player as a junior last season when he averaged 25.5 points and 4.7 assists per game. He shot 62% from the field, 42% from three and 88% from the line.

Dexter was 24-2 last season and entered tournament play ranked number one in the state.

Hale's father, Paul, played basketball at Southeast from 1971-73 and is currently the head coach at Dexter.

"We left the decision up to Brett," his father said. "He said he wanted to get the recruiting out of the way so he could concentrate on basketball. He was originally recruited by Anthony Beane who played for me at Bernie High School and when Coach Beane left he turned the recruiting over to Tom Schuberth. Coaches Garner and Schuberth were very kind to Brett during the recruiting process and I know he is excited about going to Southeast."

Hale is also an excellent student with a score of 32 on his ACT.