La Habra’s Kristich Is the Most in the Post : Basketball: 6-foot-5 center excelled in a summer league and has fought off criticism to earn a scholarship to UCLA.

It doesn’t bother La Habra center Zrinka Kristich when opposing coaches say she coasts.

And it doesn’t bother her when opposing players say she averaged 11.3 points and 11.6 rebounds last season only because she’s 6 feet 5, or when fans say, “She has great potential, but why doesn’t she use it?”

Kristich, a second-team, all-county selection last season, heard it all after Woodbridge ousted La Habra in the Southern Section Division II-A girls’ basketball semifinals last season, but she ignores it.

Right now she’s too busy trying to lead the girls’ volleyball team to its third consecutive State Division II championship. Tonight, the Highlanders play host to Del Mar Torrey Pines in a second-round Southern California regional match.

And her basketball future is set with a scholarship to play at UCLA next season.

“The first thing people say is, ‘Why does UCLA want her? She’s just tall,’ ” Kristich said. “But (UCLA head basketball) Coach (Billie) Moore has seen what I can really do.”

Moore watched Kristich during the summer, and under the direction of Steve Kabaloski and Tom Pryor, Kristich showed improvement in her low-post play.

Kristich played for a club team that featured four first-team, All-Southern Section Division III players from Palos Verdes, including Kristen Mulligan and Jeffra Gausepohl. Palos Verdes finished 32-2 last season and won the Division III-AA championship game by 33 points.

Among other Orange County players on the team were Brea-Olinda’s Jody Anton, who will play at USC next season, and Canyon’s Erin Waggoner, who will play at UC Riverside.

“The competition (in the summer) was a lot tougher,” Kristich said. “You are forced to do well at that level; I learned a lot with the club team.”

“Zrinka really pushes herself against the tougher opponents,” La Habra Coach John Koehler said. “She has a good work ethic, but there’s just not a lot of people to challenge her during our regular season.

“She’s the best true post player I’ve ever had and probably one of the top three players I’ve had, including Paula Tezac, who led Cal Poly Pomona to three NCAA titles, and Robin Seabrook, who is at USC.”

At first glance, Koehler’s praise might sound a bit excessive.

But after a closer look, her performance last season says plenty about Kristich’s talents. And her unselfishness.

Since La Habra also had 6-0 forward Leslie Ferguson, a first-team Southern Section Division II player who averaged 15 points per game, and Kristich’s older sister, Ana, a 6-1 forward who also averaged double figures in points, the Highlanders had an abundance of post players.

After experiencing early season problems moving the ball into the post, Koehler, in an unorthodox move, pulled Kristich away from the basket, to the high post.

Why? Because Kristich was also one of the team’s best passers.

“I ended up being second on the team in assists,” Kristich said. “But a 6-5 center is not supposed to be playing out that far; I was just there to get the ball inside to Leslie.”

Adding to Kristich’s all-around game is her intimidating defense, and according to Koehler, Kristich is also La Habra’s best three-point shooter this season.

Without the presence of Ana Kristich and Ferguson, Zrinka will have to step up her offensive production this year.

“I miss having Ana around, she’s a leader,” Kristich said. “She kind of took the pressure off me . . . but since she’s not here, that leaves it to me.

“I think I’m a better player now after the summer leagues,” Kristich added. “It’s gonna be a good year.”