Fitch’s Sefcik commits to Akron

Staff report

AUSTINTOWN

What stood out for Austintown Fitch junior basketball player Megan Sefcik when she visited the University of Akron campus was how warm the greeting was from the current Zips players.

“When I first stepped on campus, I though it was awesome,” said Sefcik, a three-year letter-winner for the Falcons. “It’s a beautiful campus. I went to an open-gym and the players made me feel so welcome.”

Saturday, Sefcik verbally committed to Akron where she will play for coach Jodi Kest.

Sefcik is the first Falcon to earn a Division I scholarship in the four seasons that Stacie Cepin has been the Fitch head coach.

“It’s been an exciting process, watching her grow from eighth grade to this moment,” Cepin said. “It’s a great opportunity.

“She’s a great person, a great leader — we’re very blessed to have her in our program,” Cepin said. She’s one of those players that when you are a head coach you dream about having.”

This past season, Sefcik, 5-foot-9 guard, averaged 18.9 points per game, 7.5 rebounds and 4.7 steals.

Sefcik said her decision came down to Bowling Green or Akron.

“The distance was a huge factor,” Sefcik said, noting that BGSU is about three hours away. “I want to keep in touch with my teammates.”

Cepin said playing at Akron “allows her friends and family an opportunity to see her play. I’m thrilled.”

She plans to major in education.

“I’d like to be an elementary school teacher,” Sefcik said. “I think I work better with younger kids — I love to make them smile.”

Sefcik plays AAU ball with the LadyBallers of Cleveland. She practices twice a week in Cleveland to prepare for the summer season that will take her to tournaments in Kentucky and Tennessee.

“[Her decision now] takes some pressure off her and will allow her to focus on her summer,” Cepin said.