ONE BLOCK AT A TIME: Klein Collins' Bell-Morris A Big Piece To Tigers' Championship Puzzle

KLEIN COLLINS SOFTBALL DOMINATED DISTRICT PLAY IN 2023 AND ADVANCED TO THE THIRD ROUND OF THEPOSTSEASON. BUT THAT ISN’T THAT FAR-FETCHED, SEEING THAT THE TIGERS HAVE REACHED THE STATE FINALS AS EARLY AS 2012 AND 2019.

They have that look again heading into 2024 with the likes of Texas State signee Savannah Carter and Northwestern State signee Ary Garcia leading a talented senior class.

However, junior Za’Riya Bell-Morris will continue to build her high school resume after a breakout season last year. She could be the key to the Tigers’ run for Red and Charline McCombs Field and the State Tournament.

“I like positivity,” Bell Morris said. “We have that in this team… a good vibe. We have great pitching, defense and we are an explosive team on offense. We lost to Langham Creek in the third-round last year, but I think we have the pieces in place to make it all the way to State.”

Speaking of pieces, when Bell-Morris isn’t running down softballs in the outfield or punishing pitchers in the batter’s box, she is settling into her favorite hobby.

“It sounds crazy, but I love building Legos,” she laughed. “If I got one Christmas gift, I would want a Lego set. I just built a Bonsai Tree of Legos. It is beautiful! I don’t know, with all it takes to be a student-athlete, it helps me breathe, focus and lock in to connecting blocks. It’s how I take time for myself.”

Bell-Morris had a big sophomore season at the plate and patrolled the outfield for Klein Collins and in summer ball. Her abilities have drawn the attention of college scouts and her phone is starting to ring.

“In recruiting, colleges take pitchers and catchers first, then middle infielders she explained. “Then outfielders who can hit, and that is me. I have taken a few visits and I’ve found that I want to go Division I, but not too big of a DI. I’m looking for a smaller school and when I step on the campus, I’m like ‘wow’. A fun program with a nice environment.”

In the meantime, however, the superstar athlete enjoys being a kid. “I love anime, listening to ‘Lil Boosie and dancing,” she laughed. “I’m in the outfield just dancing away between outs and especially during my walk out song.”

And, of course, building Legos.