University of Houston Athletics
Women's Basketball Signs Five to National Letters of Intent
11/11/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Nov. 11, 2010
HOUSTON - The University of Houston women's basketball head coach Todd Buchanan announced Thursday the signing of five prospects to national letters of intent to play for the 2011-12 season.
"The one thing about this class is from top to bottom none of them are one-dimensional," said Buchanan. "We have done ourselves an incredible service in the fact that we've gotten so much bigger, specifically in the perimeter game. I welcome them and their families to the Lady Cougar basketball family, as well as the University of Houston family.
"In my introductory press conference, I said we were going to recruit the city of Houston first and foremost, and the state of Texas as well," Buchanan continued. "I feel like this class certainly proves that."
The five-player class consists of Voche' Martin (6-2, C, Duncanville, Texas, Duncanville HS), Danielle Parks (5-10, G, Houston, Texas, St. Pius X HS), Tahlia Pope (6-0, G, Wichita, Kan., Heights HS), Towanda Sutton (5-11, F, Philadelphia, Pa., Odessa JC) and LaTasha Tubbs (5-8, G, Amarillo, Texas, Howard College).
Martin, a 6-2 post player, competed at Duncanville High School, which is annually one of the top programs in the nation. As a junior, Martin chipped in 2.4 points and 2.2 rebounds per game as the Panthers posted a 33-4 record.
"Voche' is very long and athletic and has a lot of talent," said Buchanan. "Her best basketball is still ahead of her. For us to go into the Duncanville area, which has arguably the best basketball programs in the country, speaks volumes about where we're at recruiting-wise."
Parks, a 5-11 combo guard from St. Pius X High School in Houston, helped lead the Panthers to a 29-9 record last season by averaging 15.6 points, 10.0 rebounds, 6.8 steals and 2.3 blocks per contest. Parks, who earned TAPPS 3-5A First Team All-District honors last season, was recognized as the 41st-best prospect in the state of Texas by Premier Basketball Report. Parks was also a two-time all-state selection for the Panther volleyball team.
"Danielle's skill set is very versatile, she's incredibly athletic and brings my vision of what the guard core for the future will be, which is quick, athletic and long with great size," said Buchanan. "Danielle comes from a great family and her mother has been phenomenal. I told her words can't describe what it means for her to come to the University of Houston with this being my first recruiting class. Keeping the quality of person, as well as player, is huge for us."
Pope, a 6-0 guard from Wichita, Kan., becomes the third high school standout to sign with the Cougars. Pope helped lead Heights High School to the 6A state title game, while also running on the state's top 400-relay team.
"Tahlia is another player whose best basketball is ahead of her," said Buchanan. "She's very athletic, a great shooter and brings the skillset that we need as far as being bigger in our guard core. She can certainly do many things with the basketball."
Sutton, a 5-11 forward from Odessa Junior College, is originally from Cardinal Dougherty High School in Philadelphia, Pa. Sutton averaged 6.3 points per game and ranked second on the squad with 4.4 rebounds per contest last season for Odessa. As a prep standout, Sutton posted 12 points, eight rebounds and three assists per game.
"Towanda is a great rebounder and will bring instant toughness to our lineup," said Buchanan. "She's going to be a huge asset to our program."
LaTasha Tubbs, a 5-8 guard from Howard College, is the fifth signee and the second junior college standout in the 2011-12 signing class. Tubbs, originally from Palo Duro High School in Amarillo, Texas, led Howard last season with 13.5 points per game, and knocked down 109 field goals, including 71 from beyond the arc. Tubbs is currently averaging 11.7 points per contest through the opening three games.
"Getting LaTasha was a huge tribute to Coach (Wade) Scott and his connections there in the junior college ranks," Buchanan said. "LaTasha is going to be a hard worker and bring it everyday. Her skill set is very similar to (senior guard) Brittney Scott; strong, athletic and an incredible shooter. Some kids are shooters, some are scorers, and she's both.
"Bringing in Towanda and LaTasha was important for us because they both bring that immediate experience, and with us losing six seniors after this season, we thought that was vital to try to replace," Buchanan explained. "We've done that not only with experience, but with incredible talent as well."
Houston opens the 2010-11 season Sunday against UT Arlington. Start time is set for 5:00 p.m. at Hofheinz Pavilion.
