CENTREVILLE — Like father, like son, Randy Bell has followed in his dad’s all-star footsteps as a high school athlete.

Bell’s father, David Bell, made the Mississippi Association of Independent Schools football and baseball All-Star games when he was a senior. Now Bell, a shortstop and pitcher for Centreville Academy, can say the same, as he will play in the Class AA North-South game at 2 p.m. May 24 in Jackson.

“It was kind of a challenge for me, since my dad did the same thing in high school,” Bell said. “It’s definitely exciting to do it in both sports.”

The only thing that would make him happier is if the Tigers had won a state title in baseball this past season. Bell found out he was an all-star selection, along with co-MVP of his district, after his team was eliminated by Central Private School in the South State title series.

“I was kind of disappointed we lost, but it was like I got a second chance — I would get to play one more high school game with the best talent in the MAIS,” Bell said.

While he was aiming to make all-stars in both sports, Bell said his first goal was to win a state championship when he took the field.

“It wasn’t on my mind the whole time, but I felt like if I played up to my capabilities, all of that would take care of itself,” Bell said.

After playing against players from Central Private and Brookhaven Academy, Bell will team up with several players from those schools as they try to top the North squad in the all-star game.

“You’re always battling against them, and once you get all that talent together as a team, it’s going to be fun,” Bell said. “I had fun at the football all-star game, and I made relationships that will last forever, and that’s what I look forward to (with baseball).”

In addition to building relationships, Bell said he’s hoping to secure bragging rights along with the rest of his teammates.

“We just want to get in a groove, bond with the team and have fun, but at the same time, we want to win,” Bell said. “It’s going to be a good challenge from the North, so this is for bragging rights, being able to say we beat y’all in the all-star game.”

When he looks back on the season, Bell said there’s definitely disappointment, given that the Tigers won it all in 2011 and 2012.

“We had high hopes going in, but I was proud of the way we played,” he said. “A lot of young kids stepped up and made big plays when we needed them. We got down for a couple of games and had to fight through some adversity, but we got to South State again, and a lot of people didn’t even give us that chance.”

With his high school career winding down, Bell will turn his attention to Hinds Community College, where he signed a baseball scholarship in January. He reports to Hinds in August.

“I’m excited to be focusing on baseball full-time,” Bell said. “I will miss football and track, but baseball is my passion.”

Bell is also the son of Kathy Bell.