LOCAL SIGNINGS: Chandler, Morris ink names in softball, basketball
Trinity’s Francie Morris signed to play basketball with Samford on Thursday. (Tim Gayle)
By TIM GAYLE
Francie Morris is going home.
The Trinity senior, who grew up playing youth basketball at Samford University, signed the paperwork on Thursday to continue her playing career with the Bulldogs.
“I’m so thankful,” she said. “Ever since I was young, I’ve been like, I would love to play college basketball and I did not know if it was going to happen,” Morris said. “When this opportunity came, I was like, yes, I want to go to Samford, I want to go play college basketball because it’s so much fun.”
Morris transferred from Mountain Brook to Trinity as a sophomore, helping the Wildcats to state championships in 2023 and 2024. Before that, she was quite familiar with the Samford campus, having played basketball games in the school’s recreation center.
“It all started when I was younger and we literally had basketball practice and basketball games at Samford, at the rec center,” Morris said. “So I’ve been around Samford a lot. I’ve loved it so much. It’s so pretty. I can’t believe this is happening. I’m just so thankful for this opportunity because Samford is a great culture, a great atmosphere and a great school. And they have a great basketball team.”
Morris averaged 15 points, six rebounds and five assists last season for the state champion Wildcats despite missing several games late in the season with a severely sprained ankle. Trinity coach Blake Smith said the signing was ideal for his shooting guard.
“She’s a perfect fit for that level,” Smith said. “I think she can walk in and have an impact. And in some ways, I think their style fits her a little bit. But the simple fact that she can defend, shoot and attack -- and I’ve seen her do it against elite athletes -- I think she’ll walk in and have an immediate impact.
“And it’s her hometown. Her family’s there and you can’t put a price tag on that. For her comfort level, the transition will be good for her in that sense.”
While Smith said his star’s ability to take over a game could make her an impactful player at the next level, he said she needs to be more mindful of taking shots when her game heats up.
“I love Francie to death but sometimes that mind runs off on you,” Smith said. “At the end of the day, she’s got to be ready to catch and shoot. She shoots the ball real well and sometimes she’s a little cautious with that. I think one of the things she is improving on is her mid-range, whether it’s a step back or a floater. And she can do all that, it’s just a matter of doing it in game-time situations.”
But before Morris goes off to Samford, Smith will have her for one last season. After missing several games in 2023 with a torn labrum suffered in volleyball practice and several more last season with the ankle sprain, Smith just hopes his senior can stay healthy for the 2024-25 season.
“Really, for two years, she’s been severely banged up,” he said. “It’ll be awesome (to have a healthy Morris). I think she’s a player of the year candidate when she’s healthy. She doesn’t think about that, but she is.”
Prattville’s Kaytie Chandler signed a softball scholarship with UT-Martin this week. (Tim Gayle)
Prattville’s Chandler signs with UT-Martin
PRATTVILLE -- Kaytie Chandler was happy and confident with her choice on Wednesday.
The Prattville softball ace could have waited to let more offers develop from college recruiters, but she followed her heart and committed early to Tennessee-Martin, then followed through on Wednesday by signing a letter of intent to play for the Skyhawks next season.
“It’s real exciting,” Chandler said. “Make it official. It seems really real now. I can finally relax and know I have a future home waiting for me next year.”
Chandler had several offers to consider last fall, but after a visit to the campus, she committed to the school and never wavered on her choice despite a coaching change at the school.
“Tennessee-Martin makes me feel at home,” she said. “That’s the thing I look for in college campuses. I want to feel at home, make sure the vibe’s right and make sure I fit there, especially that far away.”
Pitching coach Chelsea Farmer was installed as the interim coach last year, then promoted to head coach last June but Chandler felt comfortable with her decision to pitch for the Skyhawks.
“One thing about Kaytie, she knows what she wants,” Prattville coach Brian Pittman said. “I think the first thing about Tennessee-Martin is she fell in love with the place. She fell in love with the campus. It was a smaller setting for her as a D-I but even with the coaching change that had happened, Kaytie stood strong. She loved the pitching coach and wanted to be there.”
After two seasons cut short by injuries, Chandler is looking forward to her best season at Prattville High next spring. She currently serves as the quarterback on the Lions’ flag football team that is in the quarterfinals of the state playoffs and trying to reach the state finals for the first time in the program’s short history.
She’s also looking forward to stepping on a college campus next fall and pitching collegiately.
“There’s a lot that I wonder about,” Chandler said. “What’s different? How they process up there, what’s their workout program and just what it’s like living up there in general. I’m really excited to go up there and pitch. I’m really excited to be myself as a pitcher and not try to be like anyone else. I’m excited to show them my talent.”
Pittman, for one, is certain she can contribute for the Skyhawks.
“I think she’ll be fine,” he said. “She can adapt to any environment. Her personality is what plays more than anything else. She won’t be intimidated going in as a freshman. She’ll go in with the mindset that she’s going in to play, not sit. Whatever role they want her to play that first year, she’ll do, whether it’s on the mound, whether they want her to hit and play in the field. If she’s not playing, she’ll be the number one cheerleader over there. She’s going to bring a lot of energy and passion.”