WICHITA FALLS, Texas – Midwestern State coach Noel Johnson announced the addition of six transfers and the signing two prep players Friday afternoon as the Mustangs prepare for the 2008-09 season.

“I’m aexcited about the 13 players we have on the roster,” Johnson said. “One of the biggest early challenges will be to find our identity and mesh as a team.”

Breeanna Brown and Regiane Araujo headline the transfers with each coming from four-year schools, while Katiya Jackson, Michelle Duff, Brittany Bryant and Emily Welborn bring experience from the junior college ranks.

Savannah Carver from Canyon Randell High School and Jazman Patterson from Southlake Carroll add a pair of talented prep signees to the mix.

“I feel the kids we have returning and the newcomers are hard workers that have the drive and determination to be successful,” Johnson said. “That’s the type of player we were looking for and I feel like we got them.”

Brown, a 5-7 sophomore forward, appeared in 13 games as a true freshman at Northern Arizona last season after averaging 15 points, seven rebounds and four steals a game as a senior at George Bush High School in Richmond, Texas.

“I’m excited about her experience on the Division I level,” Johnson said. “She has a great work ethic. She’ll be a defensive stopper for us and also has the ability to shoot from the outside and hit the 3.”

Araujo, a 6-4 senior center, played in 24 games for perennial NCAA Division II power Washburn (Kan.) last season while scoring 4.3 points and pulling down 2.6 boards in 8.8 minutes per game.

The Sao Paulo, Brazil native averaged 13.2 points and 7.8 rebounds a game as a sophomore at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M as a sophomore while helping the Norse to the 2007 NJCAA Region II championship.

“Nanny is going to be a big presence in the paint,” Johnson said. “She brings experience of playing in a very successful program.”

Jackson, a 5-8 junior guard from Burkburnett, returns to the Wichita Falls area after a pair of successful seasons at Frank Phillips College in Borger.

She averaged 12.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 2.5 steals for the Lady Plainsmen as sophomore last season after putting similar numbers as a freshman.

“Katiya is a smart athletic player who will be a defender we can rely on,” Johnson said.

Duff, a 5-6 junior point guard, makes the move to MSU after spending seasons at Paris JC as a sophomore and Hill College as a freshman.

Originally from Edinburgh, Scotland and a graduate of Oak Ridge Academy in Arlington, Duff averaged 2.3 points and 1.7 assists in 2007-08 at Paris JC.

“Michelle is a high energy point guard who is going to make some big plays,” Johnson said. “Hopefully she’ll come in and show the leadership we need at that position.”

Bryant, a 5-9 junior forward, rejoins former Temple College teammate Rosy Ofoegbu after averaging 8.8 points, five rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.8 steals as a sophomore last season for the Lady Leopards.

Bryant, a graduate of Arlington Bowie High School, scored 7.6 points and snagged 5.7 rebounds a game as a freshman.

“Brittany brings great athleticism to the forward position,” Johnson said. “She’ll be a powerful force from that position. She can score with contact and has a great mid-range game.”

Welborn, a 5-10 junior guard, averaged four points and 1.5 rebounds in two seasons at Lon Morris Junior College.

“Emily is an extremely hard worker and does the dirty work on the court,” Johnson said. “She’s willing to put herself out there for the team. She has a nice 3-point shot and brings in a lot of maturity.”

The six transfers adds experience to returning players in senior Ofoegbu and a pair of juniors in Andrea Buben and Brittny Smith, but the Mustangs also added a pair of prep players to go along with Cierra Thompson of Llano High School and Sunny Satery from Rockwall High, who had signed in the spring.

“All of the freshman we’ve signed have bright futures with big upsides,” Johnson said.

Carver, a 5-10 forward from Canyon Randall, overcame a knee injury in her junior season to have a stellar senior campaign.

“Savannah is a great pure shooter who also has the ability to put it on the floor,” Johnson said. “She is a physical player who has a good knowledge of the game.”

Patterson, a 5-10 forward from Southlake Carroll High School, brings athleticism and depth to the forward position.

“She’s going to be a tremendous rebounder for us and is a good defender in the paint,” Johnson said.

Johnson is set to begin her first campaign at the helm of the Midwestern State women’s basketball program.

The Mustangs look to turn the corner after finishing 9-18 last season.

2008 Signing Class

Transfers

Prep Signings