Senior Erika Wakefield Leads Tulsa Youth Movement
A highlight from Tulsa last season was the freshman class’ performance. Three players: Shug Dickson, Kendrian Elliott and Alexis Gaulden each won AAC Freshman Player of the Week honors multiple times. Dickson and Elliot ended up being included on the league’s All-Freshman team at the end of the season. All of the team’s young student athletes, Head Coach Matilda Mossman says, need a lot more reps but at least the information about the system is not new to them anymore. Eight of the 13 players on the squad this year are freshman or sophomores.
On the other end of the experience spectrum is senior guard Erika Wakefield. She is the team’s on-court leader, the one who younger players seek to emulate. “Erica is the epitome of consistency,” said Mossman. “She doesn’t have bad days. She comes in and does the same thing every day.”
Players to Watch
Erika Wakefield — Guard, Senior, Started all 31 games last season, leads team in points, assists and steals
Shug Dickson — Guard, Sophomore, American Athletic Conference Freshman of the Week on January 23 and January 30, All-AAC Freshman team,
Kendrian Elliott — Forward, Sophomore, Started 26 games, Led team in rebounds and blocked shots, American Athletic Conference Freshman of the Week on November 14 and February 5, All-AAC Freshman team
First Regular Season Game: November 10 versus American University