The senior shooting guard superstar from Kent City has just moved into Olivet College to begin her Division III athletic career with other local incoming freshmen, and the future is bright.
Kent City’s girls varsity basketball team has had a lot of success the past few years, and a big part of that success traces back to Weber. She has been a weapon from behind the three point line, and looks to help the Comets immensely in that aspect. Zara set the Kent City school record for threes in a single game (10), and in a season (87). She has also been consistently named all-conference, and BCAM honorable mention throughout the state. She was a participant in the Top Shooter contest, with fellow teammate Jenna Harrison, that took place at halftime during a state finals game at Calvin College this past year.
“Olivet felt like home right away.”
The summer heading into her senior year of high school, Zara figured out playing college basketball was what she wanted to do. The coaches started calling, and the summer tournaments became about recruiting as well as improving for her last season. GRCC and Albion were in her final roundup of college choices, but Olivet won her over.
“Olivet felt like home right away,” Weber commented about her choice. “I really loved the small town feel, and all of the people I met on my visit.” She fell in love with the Cutler Center gym she’ll be playing in soon, as well.
Head coach, Britney Berry, played a large role in Weber’s decision. Berry, who was an assistant coach at the time, got to know Zara early on, and made a favorable impression. “She’s so cool and I loved her from the start,” Weber added. “She was easy to talk to and laid back, but could take practices and games seriously, too.” Berry accepted the head coach position a few months later, and the rest is history.
The Comets are adding quite a few girls onto the roster this year, with six incoming freshmen. Hannah Putnam (Central Montcalm), and Hannah Brown (White Cloud), are a few locals that will be joining Weber on the court this upcoming season. The first game is November 2nd in Sylvania, Ohio at Lourdes University. Until then, the girls will be adjusting to campus and classes, and starting practices before too long. Weber will be studying Risk Management in Insurance at Olivet, as classes start August 19th.
“If you know you want to play college basketball, put yourself out there and don’t be afraid to contact coaches,” Zara said towards other high school students dreaming of being a collegiate ball player. “Don’t let success or failure get to your head, and just play the game,” she added.
Weber plans on becoming a more aggressive and confident player in college, and knows Olivet is the place to help her achieve that and much more. Her high school achievements and experiences are memories that will last a lifetime, but she is not satisfied yet.