OKTAHA’ S IZABELLA FLURRY-WATSON – THE WILL TO COMPETE
By Michael Bray
Being competitive is just a part of Oktaha sophomore Izabella Flurry-Watson’s DNA.
“I have always loved doing anything competitive and I have been competing in softball, basketball & rodeos since I was three years old,” Bella said. “My drive for playing basketball is I love how physical the sport is and it gives me more opportunities to compete.”
Bella started playing basketball before kindergarten and consistently competes in leagues and tournaments throughout the summer. Around age ten, though, is when her love for softball became her main passion.
“I spent more time on that but still played basketball any chance I got,” she said. “I started playing with some of the girls I play with now when I was in third grade and we have off and on played on some of the same teams. I plan to play college softball & have already been visiting colleges.”
Last season, Flurry-Watson was a part of Oktaha’s state championship team as a second baseman.
For her, though, that wasn’t enough to satisfy her competitiveness.
“I play for two travel teams during the summer so that I can play as much as possible. I also try to pick up with AAU teams to play basketball when I can.”
Her other activities include church, FCA and FFA where she shows goats.
“I live on a ranch so my dad keeps me busy anytime I am not playing ball.”
And like anyone else she also has her own favorite go to desires.
“I love pickles and Dr. Pepper and I have both at every game,” Bella mentioned. “I love going to church with my best friend Mia. I love hanging out with my family and recently discovered I love snow skiing.”
She also gives credit to her mom and uncle.
“My parents are my role models. They are the reason I get to do all the things that I get to do,” she said. “My mom pushes me to be better in everything that I do and my uncle, RC Rees, is always helping me with basketball & telling me what I need to do. He is one of my biggest fans along with all of my family. I have a big sports loving family and they always support anything I do.”
Being an older big sister has its own motivation and joys in her life.
“My siblings look up to me so they inspire me to want to be someone that they can look up to,” Bella said. “My little sister plays all the same sports as I do so we practice together a lot. I also love helping coach my little brother’s teams.”
One element of Bella’s life that she prioritizes is her work ethic.
“I want people to see that I love competing in everything that I do & that I’m not only a good player but a good person & always a good teammate.“
Her coach Kia Holmes who coaches her in both fast pitch and basketball testifies to Bella’s accomplishments.
“She is a player that loves to play softball and you can tell by how she plays,” Holmes said. “She is a solid defensive player who can play multiple positions. In basketball, she comes in off the bench to give us some solid minutes. She is just a sophomore and we will depend on her and look for her even more the next two years.”
You could also add unselfishness to Bella’s list of accolades.
“Everyone always mentions how much energy I bring so I hope that’s true, that I bring energy to the team when I’m out on the court, field or on the bench,” she stated. “I always want to support my team and I hope they always feel that from me.”
Making it to the state tournaments in basketball and slowpitch are a team goal she is hopeful to achieve in 2026, “So we can make it in all three sports this year.”
Personally, Bella looks to improve on her own game, improving on blocks and rebounds.
“I was always the smallest kid on every team until this last summer when I grew and now I’m down low where I love trying to block opponents’ shots,” she said.
“I am trying to get in the weight room more and really working on learning some post moves now that I am down low. I grew later than most everyone and have really been working hard to get stronger. “
If there were any flaw that she would want to change it would be one thing.
“Confidence has been a struggle for me and I am really working on keeping up my confidence no matter the circumstance,” Bella admitted.
How to overcome that?
Izabella Flurry-Watson offered the key to open the lock.
“Having a good support system and a family that always believes in me. “
