Like many young basketball players, Courtney Zezza had a dream of earning a Division I college scholarship.

That dream became a reality last week when the 6-foot-3 Plum senior center gave a verbal commitment to St. Francis (Pa.).

“I've always wanted to go Division I, and every time I've played, it really motivated me,” Zezza said.

Zezza said the distance needed to get to the Loretto school, only about an 80-minute drive from Plum, was one of a number of factors that led her to commit.

The coaching staff, the direction of the program and the options of study were others.

Zezza said St. Francis observed her during summer camps and tournaments.

“I would get a little nervous, but it was also exciting to know they were watching,” Zezza said.

Zezza is part of a growing trend of female athletes from Plum earning Division I scholarships.

Ronit Yurovsky, who won WPIAL and PIAA tennis titles at Plum, now is faring well on the women's team at the University of Michigan.

Jordan Seneca and Krista Pietropola, 2014 Plum graduates, will start their collegiate journeys this year on the St. Francis (Pa.) softball and Youngstown State women's basketball teams, respectively.

“Seeing Krista go through (the recruiting process for basketball) made me realize I could do the same thing,” Zezza said.

Zezza, a main piece for the Plum girls basketball puzzle this season under first-year coach Eric Gillis, said she has improved her game from last year but knows she can still work on a few things.

“I think I am a stronger rebounder and can use my height better. But I really want to work on my shooting more, especially from the outside,” she said.

St. Francis finished the 2013-14 season 15-17, but the Red Flash made it to the championship game of the Northeast Conference tournament. In the title game, St. Francis fell to No. 1 seed Robert Morris, 78-64.

It was a chance for the Red Flash to get some attention nationally as the game was televised on ESPNU.

Zezza said she believes that despite losing some talented players to graduation, including Pietropola, the Mustangs should be competitive again this season and challenge for a WPIAL playoff spot.

“We have the speed and quickness,” she said. “We have girls that can run the floor and shoot the ball.”

Michael Love is a sports writer for TribTotal Media. Reach him at mlove@tribweb.com.

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