NATCHEZ — Alia Frank is excited to move on to the next phase of her life, but she is a little sad about the things she is leaving behind.

Frank, a Natchez High girls basketball standout who averaged 22.1 points and 15.7 rebounds per game in her senior season, signed a scholarship Friday afternoon to play at Mississippi Valley State.

“I’m not happy to be leaving Natchez High,” Frank said. “My time here was great, but I’m glad to sign with Mississippi Valley State and start a new chapter in my life.”

Frank was instrumental in leading the Lady Bulldogs to the State Tournament in Jackson.

“She gave us everything she had while she was here,” Lady Bulldogs coach Sue Johnson said. “We can’t replace her, but we’ll try to fill in as best we can.”

In addition to her scoring and rebounding ability, Johnson said Frank’s best quality was her hard-working nature.

“She had a great desire to win,” Johnson said. “We are definitely going to miss her, there’s no doubt.”

Frank said choosing Mississippi Valley State wasn’t a difficult decision.

“I just loved the team, the environment and the way (head coach Nate Kilbert) approaches things.”

Johnson is glad Frank chose a school close by, so she will never be too far away from her old coach.

“I’m going to keep up with her, see how she’s doing,” Johnson said. “I’m very happy for her and very proud of her. I know she’s going to go on to do great things.”

And while Frank might do great things at the college level, she said she still will miss the good times she had at Natchez High.

“I’m going to miss the coaching staff, the ups and downs and the games,” Frank said. “I just loved the environment here. I can’t be a baby any more. It’s time to grow up.”