Thomas-Swinson Announces Tulsa Signings

Monday, May 21st 2007, 5:02 pm

By: News On 6

TULSA, Okla. (AP) _ Tulsa coach Charlene Thomas-Swinson announced the signing of six players Monday as she tries to revamp a team that fell from the Conference USA championship to ninth place last season.

Thomas-Swinson signed four incoming freshmen along with transfers Erika Ferrell from Weatherford Junior College and Chanel Jones-Delas from Mineral Area (Mo.) Junior College

``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.''

The other signees are 5-foot-8 guard Tatum Beer from Class 6A state champion Sapulpa High School, 5-foot-11 guard ReShawndra Jackson from Saginaw (Mich.) Arthur Hill High School, 6-foot guard Jenna Simmel from Eastland (Texas) High School and 6-foot-center Kara Vaughan from Norman High School.

Ferrell, a 6-foot forward, was chosen as an All-American by the National Junior College Athletic Association last season after averaging 21.7 points and 9.7 rebounds. She and Jones-Delas, who is a 5-foot-9 guard, will be juniors next season.

Tulsa went 11-19 last season after winning the Conference USA title in Thomas-Swinson's first year as coach. The team lost senior Jillian Robbins to the WNBA, and the top two returning scorers, Jamie Dreiling and Valerie Siemens, opted to transfer after the season.