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Fitch’s Hunter commits to West Point
Fitch standout had
multiple D-I offers
By Greg Gulas
AUSTINTOWN
Austintown Fitch senior basketball standout Sabria Hunter felt West Point was the ideal place to continue her academic and athletic careers.
To her, choosing a military academy from more than a dozen Division I scholarship offers was a no-brainer.
“Aside from academics and sports, I wanted to go somewhere that would mold and turn me into the best version of myself. That place was West Point,” Hunter said.
“I’m the oldest of six siblings, family is very important to me and I felt that the family atmosphere there was best for me. Giving back to my country was also a big consideration and very important to me.”
Hunter sports a 3.8 grade-point average and is a member of the school’s National Honor Society.
She becomes the first Falcons girls basketball player to ever be accorded such an honor.
“You can tell a lot about someone with the company that surrounds them and today, this is what Sabria has created,” said girls head basketball coach Dan Schnurrenberger.
“You see a Congressman, state Senator, her teachers, classmates and teammates and realize that her commitment to excellence in both the classroom and on the court is second to none. She will now be in the company of Civil War Generals Robert E. Lee and Ulysses S. Grant, and President Dwight D. Eisenhower among others.”
Her sponsor is U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan (D-Howland).
“She’s obviously one of the best and brightest students and is totally committed to something bigger than herself,” Ryan said. “She’s got it all as she has a great work ethic, is an excellent student, a tremendous athlete and is a woman of faith. Great teams love one another, which is why they perform at such a high level. She’s a true leader.”
A three-year letterwinner for the Falcons, Hunter has 1,178 career points and if she stays healthy, is on track to break the schools’ (boys and girls) all-time scoring mark of 1,581 points, set by Dana Sulenski in 1995.
With 803 career rebounds, she needs just two rebounds to also become the school’s all-time leader. The mark is currently held by Chrissy Toth (804), whose prep career ended in 1997.
“She’s disciplined and committed at what she does in the classroom and on the court,” Schnurrenberger said.
Mary Beth McGlynn is her guidance counselor, noting that Hunter is humble and one of the most unselfish students she has ever advised.
“Sabria never brags about herself so I will. She’s always willing to help the younger students and with her, family always comes first,” McGlynn said.
“We’ve watched her grow from a shy freshman to a very confident young woman. You never know what kind of day she is having because she always has a smile on her face. She’s never been questioned as to her morals or ethics because she is very true to herself.”
Ohio Sen. Joe Schiavoni said Hunter is a true leader who will enjoy West Point.
“All of her coaches and school officials talk glowingly about her and how great she is as a leader both on and off the court,” he said. “As an elected official from the Mahoning Valley, I’m just proud to be a part of this ceremony and so very proud that she is from our Valley. Her ceiling is unlimited.”
Fitch Principal, Chris Berni, said Hunter is the epitome of a student-athlete.
“Sabria represents everything that the Austintown School District stands for,” he said. “She loves her family, school and her academics are a high priority. Basketball is just one area of her life.”
Jack Kidd, a 1962 Fitch graduate and U.S. Air Force Veteran (1962-66), was among a group of veterans who showed up to support Hunter.
“This, to me, is the greatest thing in the world,” Kidd said.
“This is a young lady about to embark on something phenomenal for the rest of her life.”
Hunter thanked her parents for the sacrifices that they have made on her behalf.
“My parents have put in so much time and sacrificed so much for me,” she said. “They never questioned my decision, always supported me and trusted God’s plan for me. Though I am only once small piece, my goal is to go there, give it my all and God will take care of the rest.”
Hunter is scheduled to report to West Point in July.