Harrisburg senior Avelina McKinzie signed a letter of intent on Thursday to play basketball at Millikin University in Decatur, Ill, next season. 

While she’s only played 10 games as a Lady Bulldog, the senior point guard has already made her mark in the red and white. She transferred to Harrisburg as a three-year starter from Class 5 Ft. Zumwalt South, where she recorded six double-digit games a year ago. So far this season, she’s averaged 13.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, 4.4 steals, and 3.2 assists per game. Last week, the Lady Bulldogs entered the rankings at No. 10 for Class 2 teams across the state.

“It’s been a big year. It’s exciting,” McKinzie said moments before she inked her letter on Thursday. “Harrisburg has certainly welcomed me and been super positive. It’s been a great year here so far, and I’ve loved every bit of it.”

Harrisburg coach Jaryt Hunziker said when McKinzie transferred to Harrisburg, he knew she was looking to play at the next level, and she was already going to elite camps.

“I’m just excited for the family and for Avelina,” Hunziker said. “Not a lot of people get to say they signed a letter of intent in front of their student body. I’m excited for her and the opportunity that she gets to play.”

McKinzie said she knew after her first visit to NCAA DIII Milliken that is where she wanted to play next year. “I love their program. And it felt like a family to me from the moment I stepped onto campus. They just welcomed me like I was one of their own,” she said.

The Millikin women’s team entered this season with a program record of 841 wins against 427 losses, including 14 CCIW Titles, 17 NCAA Tournament appearances, and a national championship in 2004-05.

And while the team is coming up short in the win column in its transition to new head coach Kristen Hammer, McKinzie is not concerned about the future of the program.

“They have a winning culture around them. They have a really good community background. They’re a women’s basketball school. That was something that really attracted me to them,” McKinzie said.

When not on the hardwood, McKinzie said she plans to major in biology, emphasizing pre-med. “I’m probably going to end up, after basketball, going to med school and being in the medical field somewhere, probably working with kids.”

Even with a bright future on the horizon, McKinzie hasn’t lost focus on the current season. Hours before her signing, the Harrisburg girls learned they would get a chance to take on Class 3 Father Tolton at the Sophie Cunningham Classic held at Columbia College on Friday night. The Lady Bulldogs fell by just one point, 60-59.

Although the season is just kicking into high gear, Harrisburg is already poised to make a splash in the postseason. So far, the Lady Bulldogs hold the best record in their district and a top 10 ranking.

“All of our girls have come together, and we work really hard every week in and out of practice. It’s a nice little reward, but we’re not satisfied, and we’re going to keep working,” McKinzie said.

Harrisburg is currently 8-2 overall heading into the inaugural Central State 8 Conference season. First up is South Callaway on Tuesday, then Eugene on January 24, with a non-conference game against New Franklin sandwiched between. A significant test for the team will take place at home on Friday with a 9 p.m. tipoff against Class 4 Boonville. The game is bound to be emotional. Coach Hunziker led the Lady Pirates to a state title in 2021. Now he, along with assistant coach Jodie Bass, a player from that championship team, will be leading from the home bench on Coach Combs Court.

Coach Hunziker said he expects McKinzie to continue her leadership throughout the rest of the season, however long it may extend into districts and possibly beyond.

“She not only leads by example but is a vocal leader as well. She stays focused, and she wants to have a good season. She’s going to give everything she’s got in practice and in games.”