Headed off to college

Hannah Safren is a two-sport star at Highland School, excelling at both softball and basketball for the Hawks. But just drive by the Safren home just south of Culpeper and it's easy to guess which game is her favorite.

Safren, who writes as a correspondent for the Star-Exponent, has honed her hoops skills on the full court in her back yard and it's paid off with a scholarship offer to play basketball at Shepherd University, an NCAA Division II school in Shepherdstown, W.Va. She committed to the Rams last week.

"Softball actually comes easier to me," Safren said. "But to me basketball is way more fun. I always knew I was going to play basketball in college. I love it and it keeps me focused and on the right track academically."

Knowing she wanted to play basketball in college Safren began narrowing her list of schools, but took only one official visit. When she met Shepherd coach Jodie Runner and the Rams' players she was hooked. Safren can officially sign a letter of intent in November.

The Rams went 18-11 last season, but appear to be primed for a breakout season in 2007-08, with five seniors and four juniors returning and a pair of Division I transfers joining the team. But Runner's squad had a need for a point guard in the current recruiting class and Safren is prepared to step in and fill that void.

"This year they should win their conference," Safren said. "But they will lose five seniors so I should be able to get in there and if not start, at least get playing time immediately. That was important to me."

She's certainly built up the credentials playing for Highland. Safren was a first-team All-Delaney Athletic Conference performer as a sophomore and scored 10.2 points and dished out three assists per game last year as a junior.

The Hawks were runners-up in the Virginia Independent School Division II state tournament each of the past two years and Safren and the team have lofty goals for this season. Highland should be a contender for the state title and Safren will likely top 1,000 points for her high school career.

"It's nice to have the recruiting all out of the way so I can just relax for my senior year and focus on the season," Safren said.
Highland coach Donald O'Meara said if the Hawks reach their goals this year, Safren will be a big reason why.

"Hannah is a great kid and a coach on the floor," O'Meara said. "She does a great job of leading our preseason workouts and has been a leader for us now for a few years."

Shane Mettlen can be reached at 825-0771, ext. 127 or