Schiffauer, Popovec top signees

By RYAN JONES

VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT

Canfield’s Kate Popovec and Boardman’s Courtney Schiffauer have led similar high school careers on and off the basketball court.

Through their junior seasons they’ve ascended career scoring lists (Schiffauer has scored more than 1,300 and Popovec is 10 short of 1,000), received All-Ohio honors, and recorded stellar GPA’s.

Tuesday, the seniors signed letters of intent to continue their basketball careers at the Division I level.

Outside Boardman’s gymnasium at 10 a.m. Schiffauer signed with Michigan State University, and two hours later Canfield High School held a ceremony where Popovec signed with the University of Pittsburgh.

Elsewhere in the Mahoning Valley, Warren Harding senior Damian Eargle signed with the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, while Howland senior basketball player Alexa Williams signed with Lehigh. Today, Fitch senior wrestler Tony Jameson will sign with Ohio State, Fitch senior pitcher Steve Gruver will sign with the University of Tennessee and Fitch senior shortstop Sam Kozbial will sign with Wheeling Jesuit University.

Schiffauer, a third team All-State selection as a junior, said the process of choosing a school was at times stressful.

“It’s relieving to have this over with,” she said. “Now I can concentrate on having a successful senior season with my teammates.”

The 6-foot-1 senior, who averaged 25 points and eight rebounds a game last season, had to sort through offers from Kent State, Ohio University, Miami (Ohio), Toledo, Akron, and Dayton.

However, when Michigan State offered, it was an opportunity she couldn’t pass up.

“I wanted the chance to show people that I can compete at that level,” she said. “To be a part of the excitement and to be able to play in the kind of atmosphere the Big Ten has will be awesome.”

Boardman coach Ron Moschella said Schiffauer’s versatility set her apart from other players he’s coached.

“Freshman year she played two-guard and as a sophomore she was our point guard,” he said. “She played the three and four spots last season and will play the four and five spots this year. Every position I’ve put her at, she’s played it well. She has grown from a girl to a woman, and I’m proud to have seen that maturation process.”

Moschella said he knows Schiffauer will make an impact at Michigan State.

“She’s a quiet person off the court, but she has a blue collar work ethic,” he said. “She’ll bring that hard working attitude to college.”

Popovec had an easier time making her selection.

Although she generated interest from several Big Ten and Big East schools, the 6-foot-4 senior, who received special mention all-state the past two seasons, made only one visit — to Pittsburgh — and felt at home.

“I just walked around campus and it felt so inviting,” she said. “I liked that it was an urban campus and that it was close enough to home that my family could come watch me play. Pittsburgh is becoming a top 25 team, and I want to be a part of building a program.”

Popovec, who holds Canfield’s career rebounding mark with 781, said she expects college play to present challenges.

“The physicality of the game and strength of the players with be increased,” she said. “Adapting to a new system and coaching staff will also take time.”

Coach Pat Pavlansky said the first time he met Kate, she told him she was going to be a great player one day.

“I think that was when she was in fourth grade,” he said laughing. “She’s devoted a lot of her life to this game and the work has paid off. Pittsburgh wanted her not only because she’s a great ball player, but because she’s a great person with great character too.”

Eargle averaged 13 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks for the Raiders, who lost to Canton GlenOak in the district semifinals last year.

Williams, an honorable mention all-Ohioan last year, teamed with Kent State recruit Ellie Shields to help the Tigers reach the district final in March.

Jameson is a three-time state champion and is ranked second nationally in the 145-pound weight class.

Gruver (6-3), a three-year letterwinner, is Fitch’s all-time leader in strikeouts and played summer league baseball with one of the top amateur teams in the country, the Midland Braves. He is ranked first in his class academically.

Kozbial, a three-year letterwinner, batted .400 last season and earned all-league honors.