May 21, 2007

Tulsa, Okla. - Tulsa Women's Basketball Head Coach Charlene Thomas-Swinson announced today the signing of six players to National Letters-of-Intent. The 2007 freshman class includes, Tatum Beer, ReShawndra Jackson, Jenna Simmel and Kara Vaughan, while Erika Ferrell and Chanel Jones-Delas are junior college transfers.

"We are very excited that these six women have chosen to be at Tulsa," Thomas-Swinson said. "I believe these women are a good nucleus of talent. They are willing to work hard both on the court and in the classroom, and that is the direction we are taking in regards to our student-athletes. We look forward to having them on our squad this season and the immediate impact they will have on our team."

Tatum Beer, a 5'-8" guard from Sapulpa High School, helped lead the Chieftains to a Class 6A State Championship with a 27-1 record during her senior campaign. She averaged 12.1 points and 2.9 rebounds per contest, was selected to the Oklahoma Girls Basketball Association All-State and Oklahoma Coaches Association All-State teams, as well as named an Oklahoma McDonald's All-America nominee.

"Tatum is very knowledgeable, has a tremendous amount of mental toughness and a great work ethic," Sapulpa Head Coach Darlean Calip said. "She is a great kid and will be a great representative of The University of Tulsa. Tatum is a perfect fit for Tulsa, and Tulsa is a perfect fit for her."

A native of Arlington, Texas, Erika Ferrell comes to Tulsa from Weatherford Junior College. During her sophomore campaign, Ferrell, a six-foot forward, averaged 21.7 points, 9.7 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.4 steals per game, while shooting 63-percent from the field and 75-percent from the free throw line. She was selected as a National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) First Team All-American as a sophomore and as a Second Team All-American as a freshman. Ferrell also assisted her Bowie High School team to a 5A State Championship as a senior in 2005.

"Tulsa signed a really good person and player," Weatherford Junior College Head Coach Bob McKinley said. "She is dependable and conscientious, and is an offensive player who draws fouls and is a really good finisher around the basket."

ReShawndra Jackson, a 5'-11" guard from Saginaw [Michigan] Arthur Hill High School, averaged 16.0 points and 8.0 rebounds a game as a senior, leading her team to the state semifinals. She picked up 2007 Michigan All-State and 2007 McDonalds All-America Honorable Mention accolades, and was named the Saginaw Valley League Most Valuable Player. Prior to her senior season, Jackson attended Mesquite High School in Dallas, Texas, averaging 16.0 points, 6.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game. Her brother, Jerome Jackson, signed as an undrafted rookie free agent with the Cleveland Browns in May 2007.

"ReShawndra brought so much depth to our team," Saginaw Arthur Hill Head Coach John Wilson said. "She can play the No. 1, No. 2 or No. 3 position. She is a leader on and off the court, and has a fierce motivation to win. She finds a way to get the job done, and she helps make her teammates get better through her excitement for the game."

Chanel Jones-Delas, a 5'9" guard from Mineral Area [Missouri] Junior College, helped lead the Lady Cardinals to a 22-10 record and a runner-up finish in NJCAA Region 16 last season. She averaged 11.1 points, 4.48 rebounds, 4.14 assists and 1.5 steals per game as a sophomore. Jones-Delas was a part of the Canadian Women's Basketball Centre Performance as a junior and senior in high school. She also was a member of the Ontario Provincial team in 2003, which won the gold medal at the Canadian Junior National Tournament.

"Chanel was our best one-on-one player," Mineral Area Assistant Coach Randy Skaggs said. "We would get her the ball at the end of a close game and let her make something happen."

Incoming freshman Jenna Simmel concluded her career at Eastland [Texas] High School as the career leader in points (2,029) and rebounds (1,146), as well as the single-season leader in both categories. Simmel, a six-foot guard, posted career-highs of 39 points and 20 rebounds, was a 2007 McDonald's All-America nominee, and was named to the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches and Texas Girls' Coaches Association All-Star Teams.

"Jenna was the best player we've ever had," Eastland Head Coach Rodney Gee said. "She can do everything we needed her to do on the floor. She was a team leader, an extremely smart player and she out-competes everyone on the court. Tulsa is getting a really good player and an even better kid."

Kara Vaughan, a six-foot center, is a four-year letterwinner from Norman High School, where she led her team to a 21-6 record and 6A State Quarterfinal appearance as a senior. She posted 1,478 career points and 743 career rebounds, including 441 points and 198 rebounds during her senior campaign. Vaughan was named as a 2007 McDonald's All-America nominee and Oklahoma Girls Basketball Coaches Association All-State selection.

"Kara has a knack for scoring," Norman High School Head Coach Matilda Mossman said. "If she is stopped inside, she can step out to the three-point line and score. TU is a perfect fit for Kara. She is a young lady who always does the right thing and is a great role model."