Three athletes from the Bootheel area recently signed national letters-of-intent to continue their basketball careers at four year schools. Two collegians, Norman Prather and Roy Booker, and one high school senior, Chris Springer from Caruthersville, have all made definitive commitments towards the next phase of their hoop dreams.
Norman Prather, a 2001 graduate of Caruthersville High School, committed to Southeast Missouri State University (SEMO) during the NCAA early signing period.
Prather is a 6-foot-4 shooting guard and small forward currently playing at Mineral Area College in Park Hills, Mo. He averaged 12 points and seven rebounds per game last season for the Cardinals. He was selected all-state his senior year at Caruthersville, where he averaged close to 20 points, eight rebounds and five assists per game.
"He's a tremendous athlete and he's a complete player," said SEMO head coach Gary Garner. "He can shoot the ball, he handles the ball well, he's a good passe
Roy Booker |
r. I don't think there's any question he can become one of the best athletes in the Ohio Valley Conference."
Prather fielded offers from several major programs, but chose SEMO, where his former high school coach, Kevin Williams is a member of the Indians’ coaching staff.
“Norman will have the opportunity to get a lot of minutes here,” Williams said. “I have no doubt that he will be a great fit. I think before he’s done, he could make a lot of noise in this conference.”
Prather will likely see more playing time as a small forward at SEMO according to Garner. But at Mineral Area, his contributions at three different positions have played a major factor in the team receiving votes in the most recent National Junior College Poll.
The Cardinals we
Norman Prather |
re 11-2 when they played 17th ranked Indian Hills, Iowa Saturday night in the MAC Shootout. The results were not available at press time.
One of Prather’s former high school teammates, Erick Hubbard, is also a teammate at Mineral Area. Hubbard is attracting interest from four-year schools as well and is expected to sign with a quality program sometime in the spring.
Another of Prather’s high school teammates, Chris Springer-- who grew up in the same household as Hubbard, will join him on campus in Cape Girardeau next fall.
Springer, a 5-foot-10 senior guard at Caruthersville, signed with the Indians on the first day of the early signing period.
Springer gained all-conference honors last season as he averaged 18 points, 4 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game.
"We are extremely happy to sign Springer," Southeast coach Gary Garner said. "He is quick, fast and a great shooter with range. He is a great athlete with tremendous potential."
Caruthersville coach Brian Brandtner believes the Indians are getting a gem in Springer.
"SEMO is getting a good kid, first and foremost," Brandtner said. "And he's a tremendous player. He's got an excellent shot with a lot of range, he can really get up and he's as quick as anybody I've seen."
Springer’s former coach had this to say. “People are sleeping (unaware) on Chris,” said Williams. “They don’t truly realize how good he can be. He is one of the most gifted athletes in this part of the state.”
In six games this season, Springer is leading the Tigers with 18.3 ppg, including high games of 28 and 27. Caruthersville (5-1) was scheduled to play Clearwater in the MAC Shootout
"One of our goals was to improve our athleticism,” Garner said. “Prather and Springer are both really good athletes. We really feel like we've filled our needs for next year to get us back in the hunt for the OVC championship.”
Booker signs with Montana
MISSOULA, Mont. — Portageville native Roy Booker has signed a national letter of intent to play basketball for the University of Montana.
Booker, a 6-foot-2, 190-pound guard who is currently playing for Allen County Community College in Iola, Kansas, will join the Grizzlies next season.
“Roy Booker’s commitment makes a great statement for Montana basketball,” said Montana head coach Pat Kennedy. “I have had the good fortune to coach some outstanding guards, and he will rank among the best.”
Last season as a freshman, Booker was second in the Jayhawk Conference in scoring, averaging 21.8 points a game. In Allen County’s first five games this year, he was averaging 22.2 points and 4.6 rebounds per game.
“My mom and high school coach always instilled in me to do my best and the Lord will take care of the rest,” said Booker. “My mom has always been my inspiration, and together we know this is a great decision.”
Prior to the season, Booker was tabbed a fourth team All-American in Street & Smith’s College Basketball 2002 magazine. In The Sporting News College Basketball issue, he was ranked the third best shooting guard in the nation in the junior college ranks.
“Roy has a simple, old-fashioned game,” said Rick Ball, of Ballplayers JC Report. “He has a Ray Allen approach to the court. He ranks as high as any off-guard you can find. He is a tremendous recruit for Montana.”
The love of the game apparently runs deep in Booker’s family.
Booker, the son of Jan Saxton of Portageville, has an older brother, Torry Saxton, playing alongside Prather and Hubbard at Mineral Area. Booker’s sister, Janil -- a senior power forward at Portageville High, is being courted by the women’s coach at Allen County.
In his freshman season at Allen County, Booker finished as the second leading scorer in the NJCAA Region VI. He shot 46 percent from the field, 76 percent from the free throw line, grabbed 150 rebounds and dished out 50 assists.
“I believe I can step in and provide them with strong guard play,” said Booker. “They are looking for someone who can score, and I believe I can help them in that department.”
Booker was second team all-state in his senior year at Portageville where he averaged 23 points, five assists and six rebounds a game under the direction of coach Jim Bidewell. Booker also drew interest from Arkansas Little Rock, George Mason, Kansas State, Nebraska, Texas A&M and Tulsa.
Some information was provided by Marty Mishow and Al Jones.
Expanded captions
Chris Springer, center, recently signed a letter of intent with Southeast Missouri State (SEMO). Springer’s guardians Charlotte and Erick Hubbard Sr. (seated), as well as Caruthersville’s athletic director Chris Ferguson (standing left) and head coach Brian Brandtner (right) witness the signing.
Roy Booker, currently with Allen County Community College in Iola, Kansas, has accepted a scholarship offer from the University of Montana in Missoula.
Norman Prather inked with the SEMO Indians in the second week of the early signing period. He is a second year starter for Mineral Area College in Park Hills, Missouri.
