Fitch junior varsity girls build from ground up

First-year junior varsity head coach Renee Farina goes from between the lines as a player to outside the lines as coach, welcoming the opportunity to help first-year varsity coach Stacie Cepin build from the ground up something that both feel can be very special for years to come.

The former Salem Quaker hoops great had a stellar four-year career at West Liberty State College, earning four varsity letters while scoring 1,163 career points for the Hilltoppers.

Currently 1-6 on the season, however, the Lady Falcons are seeking their first Federal League win after dropping league contests to Massillon Jackson, North Canton Hoover, Canton McKinley and archrival Boardman.

Scoring just eight points in their season opener against the Poland Bulldogs, the Falcons got their first win of the season the next time out when they defeated Girard, 48-35 at the Indians’ gymnasium.

Farina starts a combination of three guards and two forwards but tries to see to it that everyone on the roster plays a part while defining their gametime roles.

Point guard Brenda Thompson, who started the season on the freshman team, averages a little over six points a game, getting help from both sophomore Lauren Learn and Amber Mims.

Mims, the leading scorer on the team through the first seven outings, is averaging a little over eight points per game for the Falcons. Off the bench, Farina gets quality minutes from freshman forward Donyse Johnson, forwards Courtney Davenport, Megan MacLochlin, Rachel Davis and Jessica Scott, and guard Chelsee Venters, who round out the roster.

Next up for the Falcons is Youngstown Christian on Monday.