By ALEX ABATE ~ DAR Sports Writer

Former Raider Bryan Sherrer has made an immediate impact at his new home.

Sherrer is in his first year at the University of South Alabama as a junior college transfer and is averaging 5.7 points per game and is tied for second on the team with 15 assists.

"(The transition) has been pretty smooth for me," Sherrer said. "There is not so much transition playing against guards in Division I. There is a transition of learning a different system."

The South Alabama staff has been impressed with Sherrer as the team is off to a 4-3 start this season.

"He's doing good," South Alabama coach Ronnie Arrow said. "He is learning what Division I is all about."

Sherrer has played in all seven games for the Jaguars this season and has started four.

"I came off the bench some my freshman year at the beginning," Sherrer said. "It is not really that big of a transition. It is still the same to me."

Sherrer is asked to do much of the same things as a Jaguar that he did with the Raiders.

"We have a unique system, we run a lot of set plays and it is kind of set up," Sherrer said. "I run set plays and get certain guys shots. With (Three Rivers) coach Gene (Bess), it was more spread out."

As the guard positions are somewhat similar from what he has seen from his time at Three Rivers, Sherrer said the post players are different.

"You can notice a difference in the big men's positions," Sherrer said. "They are a lot taller, more athletic."

Sherrer said he has a good relationship with Arrow just as he did with Bess.

"It is a different style with Coach Arrow than with Coach Gene," Sherrer said. "Coach Gene is a little more laid back and Coach Arrow is a little more in your face."

Sherrer averaged 13.5 points per game last year at Three Rivers and it only helps the Jaguars that he came from a solid program, Arrow said.

"You get a player out of Gene's program, they are going to be well disciplined and know the game."

The Jaguars made the NCAA Tournament last season and the team has high goals for this season as well.

"The expectations are to get back," Sherrer said. "The coaches feel that we have a better all-around team than last year. They had the focus on one guy last year to carry them."

DONIPHAN ALUM Matt Rogers is having continued success at Southwest Baptist University. In a win Friday night over Rockhurst, Rogers had 31 points and 10 rebounds. In Saturday's game, Rogers had 33 points, 11 rebounds and seven blocks. He also had four assists and three steals. The Bearcats are back in action at 7:30 p.m. tonight against Central Missouri at home.

FORMER RAIDER Aaron Redecker was impressive in his latest game with Missouri S&T as he scored 12 points and had 10 rebounds in 28 minutes of play. Redecker is first on the team averaging 14.8 points per game and nine rebounds per game. The Miners are off to a 3-1 start this season and will play next at 7:30 p.m. against Rockhurst in their conference opener at home.

DEXTER ALUM Rachel Blunt is averaging 7.4 points per game in her senior season at Southeast Missouri State University. Blunt has started all five games so far for the Redhawks and is averaging 3.8 rebounds per game, second on the team. Blunt and the Redhawks are back in action at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at home against Austin Peay.