The Preps : Girls’ Athlete of the Week : Outside Move Helps Put Polish on Erkenbrack’s Game

For 3 years, 5-foot 11-inch, 140-pound Keri Erkenbrack of Canyon High School posted up near the paint, her little elbows ready to do battle with the biggest of Orange County’s centers.

But this season, Canyon Coach Bill Fitzgibbons moved her to forward, and Erkenbrack is beginning to shine after 3 years of being the diamond that was roughed up.

Erkenbrack, The Times’ athlete of the week, scored a career-high 31 points and pulled down 10 rebounds in a 63-37 victory over El Modena Thursday in the Century League opener for both teams.

Two days earlier, she scored 25 points in Canyon’s 70-24 nonleague victory over Troy.

Erkenbrack leads her team in scoring with 20.3 points per game and rebounding (10.4). She also has been the soccer team’s starting goalie for 3 seasons.

Playing center, Erkenbrack was used to taking a lot of shots--inside. She had to be persuaded to shoot from the perimeter when she was moved to forward during summer-league play, Fitzgibbons said.

But after working over the summer at practice and in the La Mirada High School summer league, Erkenbrack is comfortable with 20-foot shots and is the team’s leading 3-point shooter.

“It was a big transition,” Erkenbrack said.

“Inside, I’m only 5-11 and I’m used to getting killed underneath. I have to really fight for position. Outside, I have an advantage with my height. And having experience playing inside, I can always drive to the basket or post up.”

Fitzgibbons acknowledges that Erkenbrack’s scoring average could soar in a program with less of a team focus.

Two other starters average about 9 points per game--point guard Christa Ramirez and 6-3 center Sheri Rhyne, whose arrival has freed Erkenbrack to roam the perimeter.

“Keri is not the focal point,” Fitzgibbons said. “Her main objective is to play good defense and hit the boards. She doesn’t have to lead our team.”

TOP PERFORMER

Amy Jalewalia scored 70 points in 2 Garden Grove League games, including 45 points in a 66-28 victory over Kennedy Friday. In that victory, she pulled down 21 rebounds and had 14 steals. She scored 25 points and had 13 rebounds in a 67-48 victory over Rancho Alamitos Wednesday.

Keri Erkenbrack

Canyon High School

Position: Forward

Height, Class: 5-11, Senior

Last Week: Scored 31 points in a 63-37 victory over El Modena and scored 25 points in a 70-24 victory over Troy.

Season: Erkenbrack leads Canyon in scoring (20.4 points per game) and rebounding (10.4 per game).