Last week, the basketball team learned that Deonte Cox would be leaving the team. This week the Lions learned of three new players that they would be welcoming in his place. Head coach Robert Corn has signed three players to come in and try to make an immediate impact.

The most recent signing was Illinois prep Christopher Scruggs. Scruggs is a 6’5″ forward out of Plainfield High School who averaged 9.7 points and 6.1 rebounds per game.

“Chris is a guy who we think has a tremendous upside,” Corn said. “He wears a size 18 shoe.

“A lot of post players in Division II are only 6’6″ or 6’7″ but he (Scruggs) weighs 235.”

Back in the winter Corn and his staff brought in two guards.

Skyler Bowlin is the first player Southern signed in the winter.

Bowlin, a 6’2″ guard out of Paragould, Ark., averaged 14.1 points, 3.8 steals, and 3.1 assists per game.

“Skyler is a winner,” Corn said. “He was the MVP of the state tournament and his team won the state championship.

“He plays hard and his dad was his coach so he brings a sort of coaches mentality to the team making him a coach on the floor.”

TJ Williams, a 6’1″ guard out of Tulsa Union High School, is the other winter signing.

“TJ has great quickness,” Corn said. “And he is a great on ball defender.”

Another player that fans may not know much about is red shirt freshman Kyle Schrage.

Schrage, who prepped locally at Carl Junction High School, is the lone forward returning to the squad.

“Kyle has really taken advantage of his red shirt year,” Corn said. “He has worked hard and developed a right and left handed jump hook.”

The basketball coaching staff is hoping to sign four more players before the off-season ends.