BASKETBALL Salem's Renee Farina chooses West Liberty

The transfer from Boardman High picked the Division II school in West Virginia.
By JOE SCALZO
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
SALEM -- It didn't take long for Renee Farina to find her college home.
The Salem High senior took her official visit to Division II West Liberty State last week and immediately knew it was the right place.
"Everything was just awesome," Farina said of the West Virginia school. "It was such a warm atmosphere and I really liked the style.
"After I watched the practice, I knew that was where I wanted to go."
Farina, a 5-foot-9 guard, transferred from Boardman to Salem last spring after lettering for the Spartans during the 2002-03 season.
"She can score from the outside and she can take the ball to the hoop," Salem coach Steve Stewart said. "She really fills a scoring void on the outside for us and she's a nice match with [senior guard] Alyson Cotter."
AAU season helped
Farina generally came off the bench for the Spartans last season, and it was during her AAU basketball season that she caught the eye of college coaches.
"I think during the AAU season they really saw the player that I know I am," Farina said. "I really got to show what I could do."
She said she considered some Div. I schools and several Div. III schools, but was impressed by West Liberty's program.
The Hilltoppers were ranked 15th in the nation in the Div. II preseason rankings. Farina signed her letter of intent earlier in the week and plans to major in education.
"It just fit perfectly," she said.
Farina is also enjoying her new team and said she is looking forward to this season.
"Everything is so different -- I absolutely love it here," she said. "I thought it would be hard, but everybody -- the students, the players, the community -- they all made it so much easier. They really welcomed me."