Farina in 1,000 circle

Renee Farina from Boardman is bringing down the curtain on an outstanding career for the West Liberty (W. Va.) State University women’s basketball team.

A 5-foot-9-inch senior guard and a former Boardman and Salem High player, Farina recently exceeded 1,000 career points and now is honing in on the Hilltloppers’ 3-point goal record.

In the process, she has led the team (20-4) to a No. 4 ranking in the NCAA Division II East Region under Coach Lynn Ullom and into second place in the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (14-3) behind Shepherd (15-2).

Farina scored her 1,000th point in a 53-47 home win over Glenville State on Jan. 24, and has built her total to 1,087 points entering today’s road game at Seton Hill in Greensburg, Pa., at 2 p.m.

She also has 302 3-point goals and needs only 20 more to break the school record of 321 held by Tara Johnson. Only 12 women in NCAA Division II history have scored more than 300 3-point goals.

Through 24 games, Farina leads her team in scoring average (12.7), field goals made (98 of 269 for 36.4 percent) and 3-point goals made (78 of 230 for 33.9 percent). She also is 31-for-39 from the foul line for 79.5 percent.

Another area standout on the Hilltoppers’ roster is Evelyn Woods, a 5-9 junior forward and some-time starter from West Branch High who is averaging 21.2 minutes per game.

The much-improved Woods ranks second on the team in rebounds per game (5.9) and steals (30 total), while averaging 4.3 points and 1.8 assists. She is 45-for-116 from the field for 38.8 percent.

Lisbon’s McDevitt eyes
1,000 points at Hiram

Mike McDevitt, a 6-4 senior forward for the Hiram College basketball team from Lisbon High, is approaching the career 1,000-point mark.

McDevitt has 971 career points, including 341 scored this season, and needs only 29 to become the 21st player in Hiram history to reach 1,000 points.

He has a chance to break the record today when Hiram (7-15, 4-9 North Coast Athletic Conference) plays host to Denison at 3 p.m. in an NCAC outing.

McDevitt leads Hiram in field goals made (130 of 286 for 45.5 percent) and rebounds (6.4 average), and is the second-leading scorer (15.5-point average).

Also on the Hiram roster are Chuck Williams, a 6-5 senior forward from Lakeview High (Cortland), and Craig Caputo, a 6-7 freshman forward from Ursuline High and Boardman.

Williams has played in 22 games and is averaging 4.5 points and 2 rebounds. He has made 31-for-83 from the field for 37.3 percent, including 28-for-74 (37.8 percent) from 3-point range.

Lowellville’s Nero leader
for Slippery Rock team

Amanda Nero, a 5-8 junior guard for the Slippery Rock (Pa.) University women’s basketball team, is enjoying a great season.

A former standout for the Lowellville High girls basketball team, Nero recently scored a career-high 30 points in the Rockets’ 77-69 road win over No. 5-ranked Indiana (Pa.) on Jan. 23.

Nero leads the Rockets in scoring average (11.6), points scored 255, field goals (85), 3-point goals (45) and assists (3.6), and is second in steals (26).

A good shooter, she has made 85-for-93 (44.0 percent) from the field, including 45-for-105 (42.9 percent) from 3-point range. She also is 40-for-44 (90.9) percent from the foul line.

Also with the Rockets is Chere’ Marshall, a 5-6 junior guard from Hickory High in Hermitage. Marshall has played in only four games but is the team’s third-leading scorer with a 9.5 average.

Slippery Rock (7-15, 1-6 PSAC-West) is coached by Laurel Heilman.

XJohn Kovach covers college athletics for The Vindicator. Write to him at kovach@vindy.com.