Harrisburg senior Abby Rosson inked a letter of intent on Wednesday, March 20, to continue her basketball career at Central Christian College of the Bible in Moberly next season.

Rosson was one of two stand-out seniors for the Lady Bulldogs this season, who finished 13-14 overall. It also marked the final season for coach Ryan Richards, who, after seven seasons coaching the Harrisburg girls, will become the new activities director in Hallsville next year.

While Rosson was active in all sports throughout high school, Richardson said he didn’t know that basketball would become her ultimate goal.

“I think her junior year, we kind of felt like at the end, she kind of got snubbed on some awards and she made it personal to showcase her senior year,” he said.

Rosson set out to make a statement as a senior, but a month-long bout with mononucleosis set her back early in the season.

“We were definitely a different team when she wasn’t there,” Richardson said. “And I think her teammates realized that as much as she did. So, when she got back, we just kind of kicked it in gear a little bit, and we were able to take off. That was about the time that Abby started turning some heads. I think people started seeing what she could really do and the type of player she was. She’s going to fight every second of the game. That’s why you love to coach her, and you love to have her on your side.”

That’s when she garnered the notice of CCCB assistant coach Allen Maltsberger, who was just out to watch a game one night in Harrisburg.

“They came and found me,” Rosson said. “It happened during a game in Harrisburg, and they reached out to me. I was very excited.

The Saints head coach Kori Zarzutzki said Rosson stood out in how she played, and the kind of teammate she was on and off the court.

“When we brought her on a visit, we really loved her personality and thought she fit in really well,” Zarzutzki said.

Rosson said she is excited to continue a basketball career she didn’t want to end. During an outstanding senior season, she averaged 8.8 points and seven rebounds a game, and was named All-District and second-team All-Conference.

Coach Zarzutzki is recruiting Rosson as a guard but said her versatility could put her anywhere on the floor.

“She has the ability to play multiple positions for us,” Zarzutzki said. “I think she could be inside or outside. But the fact that she’s dominated inside is going to help her as a guard. We’re going to see how she fits in with everyone. I love her versatility on defense. She can guard any position, and that’s really the thing that sticks out about her, which is her ability to guard at all positions.”

When off the court, Rosson said she plans to major in nursing. She praised her family and teammates for helping her accomplish the goal of landing a college basketball commitment.

“I was just not ready for it to end, and then I had this opportunity, and I was like, ‘Yeah, I’m going to take it.’,” she said. “Thank you to my friends and family and coaches and teammates for helping me get this opportunity.”

The Saints finished 15-14 overall this season. It was the first winning record for the team in Zarzutzki’s three years as head coach. CCCB went 9-4 at home and closed out Midwest Christian College Conference action at 5-5.

“I’m really proud of her and excited to get a chance to make it over to Moberly and watch her continue her playing career,” Richardson said.