Kate Francisco moved from Glen Dale, W. Va. to Marysville in fifth grade and a year later she picked up the game of basketball.

Last Thursday, the Marysville High School senior signed to continue her career at Kent State.

"Kate deserves everything she's received," Monarchs girls basketball coach Aric Tucker said. "She didn't start playing until sixth grade, and she worked very hard and is blessed with some talent. I'm very proud and excited for her."

Francisco, who is 6-foot-2, has started at Marysville since her freshman year. Last season, she averaged 13.0 points, 7.8 rebounds and 2.3 assists, but she was undecided on her college choice. Kent State was among the suitors that included Bowling Green, Cleveland State and American University in Washington D.C.

"I went up to Kent State unofficially in May," Francisco said. "They offered me and I went home and thought about it. A week later I made my decision. When I went on my visit, I knew that was the place. I really liked it there. It was really pretty with all the trees and hills and it reminded me of my hometown in West Virginia.

"I'm really excited and now I just want to have fun this season and go all out."

Francisco is hoping Marysville returns to its winning ways. In her freshman season, the Monarchs were 11-10 and she was named first-team all-OCC. The last two seasons, Marysville is a combined 15-28.

"I told her this is her year," Tucker said. "She knows where she's going. She already signed that letter. Now she just has to go out and have fun and play. I'm hoping she does that. I think she will. If she can play relaxed and with no pressure, she'll have a great season."

Francisco is 233 points away from 1,000 in her career and 245 from becoming Marysville's all-time leading scorer.

"I want to get to 1,000," Francisco said. "I also need to work on my ball handling because at Kent State I'll be out on the perimeter."

According to Francisco, Kent State has her slated as a power forward.

"I'm not tall enough or big enough for the girls in the post," Francisco said. "I'll be playing the four and I'm comfortable in that position."

Francisco joins a Kent State program that has a history of winning. Coach Bob Lindsay has the most wins in Mid-American Conference history with 381 victories in 20 seasons. Lindsay has won three MAC championships and reached the NCAA Tournament four times, the last coming in 2002.

Last season, Kent State finished 19-10 after winning nine games in 2008-09. The Golden Flashes return four starters and have been selected to finish second in the MAC-East Division.

Marysville's Kate Francisco is joined by her parents, Marlisa Perry (left) and her father, Michael Francisco, last Wednesday as she signed a letter of intent to play basketball at Kent State.