TAHLEQUAH – Northeastern State head women's basketball coach Fala Bullock announced on Wednesday the addition of five players to their 2019 recruiting class.  The class features Zaria Collins (Plano, Texas), Britney Ho (Wichita, Kan.), Isabella Regalado (Sand Springs, Okla.), Tessa Talo-Tomokino (Auckland, New Zealand), and Tahlequah native Jonia Walker.

All five will enter NSU in the fall of 2019 as freshman and will become members of the 2019-20 women's basketball team.

Coach Bullock on the 2019 Recruiting Class 
"We are very happy with our 2019 high school recruiting class from Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas and New Zealand. We have signed five outstanding young ladies who all excel in the classroom, court, and community. We look forward to watching them continue to grow in our program and bring a competitiveness to our day-to-day routines."
 
Zaria Collins / 5'9 / Plano, Texas / Plano HS

Averaged 12 points, eight rebounds, two assists, and two steals as a senior at Plano HS … Named Academic All-District three times and was a Second Team All-District selection twice … helped lead Plano HS to a State Championship in 2018 and was a member of the All-Tournament State Team … First Team All-District selection … and was a District Champion during her sophomore and junior seasons.

"We have seen Zaria play many times this past summer and her physical toughness and defensive prowess drew our attention. She's an aggressive player on both ends and brings some versatility to the power forward position. We look forward to bringing in another high school player who's extremely competitive and has won a Texas State Championship." -  Coach Bullock

Britney Ho / 6'0 / Wichita, Kan. / Bishop Carroll HS

Three-time Wichita Eagle All-Class Girls Basketball Team selection ... averaged a double-double as a senior at Bishop Carroll HS with 18 points and ten rebounds per game … shot 75-percent at the free-throw line … named team captain … following her senior year, she was named All-League First Team and Kansas Girls Basketball All-State First Team … All-State and All-League second team honoree as a junior … All-League Honorable Mention as a sophomore … also played Volleyball earning All-City and All-State Honors.

"Britney is a diamond in the rough. She's an excellent student and has seen a great deal of improvement and success in the last year.  We followed Britney during AAU summer ball and loved how hard she played. She's got an incredible natural strength that we look forward to developing along with her offensive power. When Britney puts it all together she will really be a force." - Coach Bullock 

Isabella Regalado / 5'8 / Guard / Sand Springs, Okla. / Charles Page High School (Early Signee)

Team Captain … averaged 9.4 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.2 steals, and one assist … led Charles Page HS to a 21-5 record and went to 6A Quarterfinals of Oklahoma State Tournament as a senior … went to the 6A State Semifinals her sophomore year and 6A State Quarterfinals her junior season .. averaged around ten points and five rebounds a game as a junior.



Tessa Talo-Tomokino / 5'9 / Guard / Auckland, New Zealand / Mt Albert Grammar

Played for North Harbour Basketball Association (A team) from 2015-19 … placed first at Representative Nationals 2017 and second at Representative Nationals 2018 … played for Mt Albert Grammar from 2016-18 … placed second at Auckland Premiere Grade Competition in 2016 and 2017 … placed second at Secondary School Nationals 2016 … first place at Auckland Premiere Grade Competition 2018 … U17 New Zealand Women's Team 2017 … Junior Tall Ferns New Zealand Team 2018 … averaged 15 points, five rebounds, and four steals per game at Mt Albert Grammar.

"We are very excited to welcome Tess to our RiverHawks Family.  Tess is scratching the surface on her ability as she's only recently transitioned from netball to basketball. Her size on the wing and ability to play on both ends will be fun to watch. Her international experience will prepare her to transition and bring a competitiveness to our program." - Coach Bullock

Jonia Walker / 6'0 / Center / Tahlequah, Okla. / Tahlequah Sequoyah HS

Averaged 10 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 1.3 steals, and 1.8 blocks during her senior season … helped lead Sequoyah HS to the Oklahoma State Tournament Semifinals in 2019 … average 9.8 points 6.6 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 2.1 blocks … was named the Oklahoma State Tournament MVP in 2018 and helped lead the Lady Indians to an Oklahoma State Championship … also played volleyball and Sequoyah HS.

"Jonia comes from Tahlequah Sequoyah rich in basketball tradition. She's been coached by an Oklahoma High School coaching legend Larry Callison and won two state championships. Her size inside and physical nature will help bring a physicality to our post play. Jonia has great touch around the basket and can extend her shot out 15 feet.  It's great to be able to sign another local product who will represent Tahlequah and Cherokee Nation."  - Coach Bullock