Many of these are offshoots of the state Universities and have unique names and medium level enrollments and low-level resources.  To give you an idea of what makes up this conference of the twelve colleges four are so-called directional schools (yep you guessed it named after directions like Southeastern Louisiana and North Texas State), three have a state/city combo (Texas-Arlington, Louisiana-Monroe and Texas-San Antonio) , two more are named for Texas legends (Sam Houston State, Stephen F. Austin) and two more are named State but have a non-state in front of their name (McNeese State, Nicholls State) and most are an amalgamation of all of this (Southwest Texas State, Northwestern State) with the only normal team named Lamar.  Yes, this is the most tossed salad of conferences in the Southwest and Southeastern Louisiana were happy as kids in a candy store to finally get an invite.  They might not be thinking that after the horrific season they endured! 

One of the players who was not overmatched every night (and perhaps the only one) is senior big man C.A. ‘Charles’ Core.  Core has some skills.  He may not be as talented as some big men in the southwest such as Elvin Hayes but he can play. Core was the only player who played in all 29 games as Marlar was not going to sit his star.  ‘Moon’ as his teammates refer to him has a diverse game as he can also take guys outside and hit a little flip jumper or better yet drive them to the hole.  At six foot six he is not really a center anyways but on this team has had to be the main post option for the last three years.  This Indiana native is a terrific rebounder who ‘goes up like a golf ball bouncing off concrete’ when he goes up for a board.  He understands the geometry of rebounding as he actually can screen out a guy on one side and see the ball going to the other and jump over with his spring like hops and grab the board with his long spindly arms.  Moon ended up averaging over 17 points and 10 rebounds a game but the numbers could have been higher if there were not so many blowouts and Marlar was not giving some of the younger guys playing time the second half of games and the season.  He still easily led the team in both categories.  Getting most of his shots at post up range was good but this kid has a much more diverse game and though you have probably never heard of him many would like to see him match up with some of the other great big men of the South.  Think of a smaller Bob Petit or even a little bit of Cliff Hagan of Kentucky.  Playing in the Southland Moon missed out on matching up against most of the greats but he did get a chance to go again young Karl Malone of Louisiana Tech.  Core had a great performance in the Superdome and Southeastern Louisiana led the game for a half.  They fell apart in the second half and the Bulldogs came back for the win but Core showed he could compete with a 23 point 12 rebound performance and he taught the young, muscle bound kid a few tricks as well.  There are rumors that Core has already been drafted but he has made it clear he is coming back for more in the bayou.  If he does get a shot at the next level after this year he has the skills to compete.  Coming from a program that is lost in the back woods of Louisiana (as well as basketball) not many know who he is and he will have to earn the respect he has earned in this tiny hamlet all over again.  In Hammond Louisiana there is only one legend of basketball (they have already decided to retired his number 34 on senior night this year) and his name is C.A. Charles ‘Moon’ Core.  

Coach Marlar looked at several options to try and find a sidekick down low with Core. Junior Curlee Connors has some offensive skills and can board but is undersized.  He is consistent and did earn a large amount of minutes down low. He also earned the respect of the fans and teammates as he is the first scholarship athlete at SLE that is black. He barely played at first but has shown he can play with the big dogs of division one and the Southland even if he is a bit undersized for the post.  His desire and skill have left the fans of Hammond in awe and he looks to start again this year next to Core. And deservedly so!  Fellow Juniors Freddie Lucas and Charlie Jones are steady if unspectacular players for Southeastern Louisiana.  Neither is all that gifted, but they work hard and are reliable.  Obviously overmatched by bigger talented people, both still had some bright moments for Southeastern Louisiana and really did exhibit good leadership.  Sophomores Thelander ‘Legs’ Tillman and Jerry ‘the Golfer’ Kelly also got some time with limited success.  Legs is an athlete who can jump and blocks shots and will defend but is vastly limited offensively and barely got on the court on the varsity but was big time on JV next to Kelly.  Kelly is a solid score and board guy who was the leading scorer and rebounder on the JV.  They both have a shot at playing on varsity this year if they don’t get passed up by some of Marlar’s recruit. 

The backcourt for Marlar was a mess.  Seniors Dick Sharp, Aubrey Cole and Don Wilson got the first shot and were completely overmatched.  Sharp and Wilson do work well together and Wilson can shoot when he is open but neither is near athletic or big enough to guard wings at this level.  Sophomore Wayne Booker is a real wing who can do a little of everything and took over a starting role the second half.  Booker is not much of a scorer but of course who is on this team outside of Core. Still, Booker has a complete game who can defend, board and really pass.  His playing time was inconsistent this year as he started slow barely playing, played often in the middle but took a back seat as Marlar gave some other recruits more time looking for next year.  He should be a starter again this year at one wing but who knows as Marlar has a heck of a task deciding on a rotation under 12 guys.  He did try everyone this year and down the stretch he really pushed his guys.  The list of returning players who got a shot last year is long and not so glorious.  Seniors Jim McCalin, Bennie Kimble, Steve Picou, Dennis Wagner, Harold Owens all played especially the first half but none were even close to what this new league entails talent wise. This is not NAIA basketball and I think Marlar got the hint as he has brought in some fresh young talent that fits the new style of wing first basketball that relies on running, three’s and perimeter defense.  Juniors Leo McClure and Jeff Tyson came on late from JV and played well at the point and on the wing.  This duo could really challenge for starting roles as it as wide open in the back court in Hammond as any program in the country.  

Coach Luther Marlar came to Hammond Louisiana knowing he would not have much to work with in developing a basketball program.  He was truly surprised at how well the fans and players had accepted failure.  He pushed this program forward kicking and screaming taking all invites to new leagues and finally up to D-1 basketball.  Things have not well up here but he is not giving in.  Marlar is trying to implement a new attitude around the Southeastern Louisiana program.  He has started with defense and will work from there.  He seems to know what he is trying to do.  Here’s hoping that he can get some talent in there soon so we can see if he really can coach.  After all in the Southland there really are no dominant teams and you can climb up that ladder pretty quickly.  If you pull together and become a team!  And get somebody who can shoot a little with a couple more post players bigger than 6’6.  For now this program would be happy with double digit wins and any place that is not in the basement of the Southland.