Jointer Makes it Official for Jaguars

Mario Jointer, a sweet-shooting 6-2 shooting guard from Chipola J.C. in Marianna, Fla., has committed to South Alabama.

JUCO Junction confirmed the commitment with new Chipola Head Coach Chris Jans.

Jointer sat out last year at Northwest Mississippi C.C. in Senatobia, Miss. He had hoped to enroll at Ole Miss this fall, but an SEC rule regarding junior college transfers precluded him from doing so. He also needs to complete his associates degree requirements, so he will play his sophomore year in 2003-2004 at Chipola.

"Mario has verbally committed to South Alabama and will sign in the fall," Jans said. "He's excited to play for Coach Pelphrey and his staff, and I am looking forward to him having a good year for us."

Jointer is no stranger to Chipola and the Panhandle Conference. Two years ago, he played at Okaloosa-Walton C.C., which is a member of the five-team Panhandle Conference in northern Florida.

Assuming he can finish up his business in the classroom by next summer, Jointer will have two years of eligibility at South Alabama.

South Alabama Asst. Coach Isaac Brown developed a strong relationship with Jointer three years ago, when he recruited the shooter deluxe out of Jim Hill H.S. in Jackson, Miss., to Okaloosa-Walton.