Harrisburg’s newest basketball standout has already inked a college commitment, even before debuting in a Bulldogs’ uniform. On Tuesday, Nov. 15, senior Audrey Arnold signed her intent to play at Drury University in Springfield next season.

A three-year starter at Class 4 Fulton, Arnold transferred to Harrisburg this season after scoring 17.5 points a game as a junior last season.

She looked at other schools, but ultimately said Drury felt like the right place to be. “I knew I was going to fit in, and I really liked the coach,” she said. “Whenever I met the team, I just really loved it there.”

Arnold was recruited as a point guard and should fit in well in Drury’s position-less five-guard style offense that is favored to win the conference this year after finishing 22-7 a year ago and is one of the top DII teams in the nation. “They’re pretty good historically, so I wanted to go up there,” she said.

Harrisburg’s newest starting point guard, Arnold is a well-established player with extensive experience, having played year-round on high school and travel teams. In her three years at Fulton, she has garnered a slew of postseason accolades, including first-team All-Conference and All-District nods.

And basketball runs in the family. Her father, James Arnold, has coached small college women’s basketball throughout the area, including at Central Methodist University and Columbia College, before becoming CC’s Director of Athletics in 2019.

Even with her dad as the head of athletics, she said Columbia College was a little too close to home.

Arnold said it took some adjusting to come to a smaller school in Harrisburg for her senior season. “I really like it here and everybody is really nice.” She said coming to a school with such a strong girls’ basketball program was a bonus.

Harrisburg coach Jaryt Hunziker calls Arnold a “great addition.” The Lady Bulldogs lost their starting point guard from last year’s district championship team to graduation, so Arnold’s transfer was just what the team needed. “She’s a 5’10 point guard who plays at a high level. She fits in perfectly with what we want to do.”

That includes 3-point shooting. Last year, she sank better than 30 percent of her shots from the arc, banking more than 50 threes on the season.

Hunziker said Drury was an excellent program for her to choose. “It’s going to be great athletically, and academically as well. What a great program to be a part of. Anywhere she went, she would be a great fit.”

Off the court, Arnold plans to major in business with a focus on marketing or advertising.

Harrisburg tipped off for the first time this season at Sturgeon on Friday. Arnold was impressive, scoring 20 in the first three quarters of her first game as a Bulldog as Harrisburg handily won 74-25.