Never Give Up: Wilson perseveres; signs with Missouri Valley

This Poplar Bluff athlete persevered despite suffering multiple injuries throughout high school to fulfill her dream of playing collegiate basketball.

Getting the opportunity to play basketball at the next level is something senior guard Abby Wilson doesn’t take lightly, as she has found the road to her next journey.

Wilson signed her National Letter of Intent on Wednesday at Poplar Bluff High School to play at Missouri Valley College as a member of the Lady Vikings basketball squad. Wilson said having her family and friends in attendance was unbelievable because she was unsure if the moment would ever happen.

“It's just really heartwarming to know that this struggle of a journey that I’ve been on has come to a close,” Wilson said. “My path hasn’t been easy, but my supporters have always been by my side. It’s nice to know that all of them will be watching my back for the next chapter.”

Wilson is a three-year letterman for the Lady Mules basketball team and she is currently ranked 43 of 285 in her senior class with a GPA of 10.688. During her final season with the Mules, Wilson averaged nine points a game, pulled down four rebounds and tallied one assist and two steals. Wilson was also named 2023-24 SEMO All-Conference honorable mention.

To persevere through ACL injuries and yet manage to catch a college recruiter's eye requires a strong athlete, and Wilson said she is as strong as they come. Though she is happy about playing college ball, Wilson said it will take a moment to wrap her mind around the fact that she defeated all the odds stacked against her.

“It's really surreal,” Wilson said. “I thought after the first ACL tear, it was just a cap off of my dreams. Then, after the second one, I really felt like the whole world had come down, so this moment was surreal. I thought it was all over, but with perseverance, I was able to make it come true. It’s just so heartwarming and amazing to know that the hard work does pay off.”

From helping Wilson at basketball camps in the seventh grade to coaching her through her final season with the Lady Mules, coach Soley Dugas said it felt great to watch Wilson grow.

“I'm just really proud,” Dugas said. “I was blessed with a great group of seniors in my first year, and having one of them sign up to continue their basketball career is just awesome. Wilson is not only a great basketball player but also a great person and student. She's proven that whatever she puts her mind to, she'll be successful at it because it's very hard to come back from one injury, but to come back from two and still have a passion and desire for the game is just awesome. It's admirable, and I'm proud of her and can't wait to watch her succeed.”

Dugas encourages Wison to learn to be comfortable with the uncomfortable as she prepares to play college ball. She said Wilson adjusted well to playing different positions this season and turned her weaknesses into strengths by the end of the year. Dugas wants Wilson to embrace every opportunity to learn and get better.

Wilson said the last time wearing her Lady Mules jersey was heartbreaking, but it was a good ride. She couldn’t imagine going through her journey with any other team. Though times got tough, Wilson is glad she stuck it out with her teammates.

Wilson credits Missouri Valley for sticking beside her during her tough years at Poplar Bluff. Despite the injuries and stats, they saw the true potential and went with their gut to extend the offer.

“Missouri Valley really took a wildcard on a hurt player, and I’m forever grateful,” Wilson said. “I visited before the season, and it felt like a second home. Everybody was super nice, and I love the coaches' demeanor and how they play. All the girls were super nice and very welcoming, which made me feel good about going there. I just knew it was right, and I didn't need to go anywhere else.”

As Wilson prepares to take on Missouri Valley, getting stronger and staying healthy is at the top of her list. She’s eager to step on campus and prove that she belongs. Wilson plans to major in exercise science to hopefully become an athletic trainer and return home to help future athletes.

Any injury can be discouraging for an athlete looking to play at the next level, but Wilson was a testament to staying the course and never giving up.

“It's all God's work,” Wilson said. “It’s always God’s plan, and you must remember to stick with it. If it's something you really love, you'll face challenges, and as coach Dugas has always told us, it's never going to get easier. The key is to keep working and never give up.”