CIF GIRLS’ BASKETBALL QUARTERFINALS
Millikan @ Etiwanda
Los Osos High, 7pm
The Etiwanda Eagles went undefeated in the Baseline League and have won their two playoff games by a combined score of 144-92. They rely heavily on the inside play of Methlyn Onogomuho, Jasmine Bernard and Jada Blackwell who all stand taller than 5’10”. In other words, they’re in the quarters for a reason.
Millikan head coach Lorene Morgan knows this. She notoriously pours over tape and gets an extra opportunity to do so in the playoff season. This time, she’s got a presence in the middle that can give some insight, or inside, if you will.
Senior center Hilary Drinovsky has played travel ball with all three Eagle post players and she will obviously play a huge role in stopping the Etiwanda attack. The Rams may use a zone to limit the passes to the post and be in better rebounding position, but any way you line them up, the 6’2″ Drinovsky will need to continue to play like she has this season. She averaged 10 points, 14 rebounds and 5 blocks per game.
“My eyes lit up,” says Morgan of the first time she saw Drinovsky on campus. “Just like all the college scouts that come to the gym. She’s got the right body size. She can be dominant.”
Even with her size, it’s been a process to get her comfortable on the block.
“In the travel league they’ve got her running the three on the parameter,” says Morgan. “We don’t get her back here until September… we’re working in the morning and afternoon and I’ll bring in assistant coaches, even myself sometimes, to get in there and body up in the post… I’m not big enough though.”
“Hilary bought in immediately. She’s not a typical high school player.”
The proof was in the playing a month ago when Drinovsky injured her elbow in a game against Jordan. She came back the next week at Wilson with a warp on her right elbow so she couldn’t extend it all the way. Late in game she blocked a shot with the wrapped arm, then ran the floor to receive the pass in the lane to hit a jumper that all but sealed the victory.
“After the injury she came to me and said she was ready to go. A lot of kids don’t handle pain like that. I have a lot of respect for that.”
The Etiwanda Eagles survive on the garbage points their bigs take off the boards. If the Rams are going to survive this road test, they’ll need Drinovsky to be what she’s been all year. Big.
Photo By Johnnie Cooper
DIRECTIONS