Joplin, Mo. -  Missouri Southern head basketball coach Robert Corn has announced the signing of Tyler Ressel to a national letter of intent to attend Southern and play basketball for the Lions beginning in the winter of 2010.

Ressel, a 6-1, 160 pound guard, is a native of Washington, Mo., where he played for coach Dave Neier at St. Francis Borgia High School. A three-year starter so far for the Knights, Ressel is the nephew of current Lions assistant coach Ronnie Ressel.

Tyler was a second team All-District and All-State selection last year after helping to lead his team to the Missouri Class 4 District and State Championship where the Knights beat Kearney 59-41 in the championship game. Borgia finished the season with a 28-3 record.

As a junior, Ressel averaged 10.9 points per game, 2.5 assists, 2.0 rebounds and 1.7 steals, while shooting 43 percent from the field and 85 percent from the free-throw line. He was second on the team with 54 three pointers, shooting 37 percent from long range. As a sophomore, he was a second-team All-District selection, as well.

"We are excited to add Tyler to our basketball program," Corn said. "Tyler fits what we are looking for in players to join our program in that he is an outstanding student, quality young man, and will help us compete for championships. He comes from an outstanding program and he is accustomed to winning. We look for guards who can defend, shoot, and make sound decisions and we feel Tyler fits the bill. We think he is an excellent addition to our University and basketball program."

Ressel is the son of Richard and Daphne Ressel and plans on majoring in business at Missouri Southern.