Short Story : Alemany’s 5-foot-1 Kobayashi Has Played Big This Season

Kelli Kobayashi wanted to play basketball at an age and size that made it almost impossible for her shots to reach the basket.

So she improvised.

Instead of shooting a basketball at a hoop, she flung whatever was handy at a mark her parents drew on a wall at home.

Kobayashi is still improvising. But now she does it as point guard for the Alemany High girls’ basketball team.

Her size is still a problem, but it’s nothing the 5-foot-1 Kobayashi can’t overcome. A three-year starter, she has always been an effective passer and playmaker. And this season her scoring has increased--a prime reason the Indians (23-4) will play Muir (21-7) in the Southern Section Division III-AA championship game today at 2:45 p.m. at the Pyramid in Long Beach.

Alemany is playing in its fifth section final in six years.

The Indians were expected to struggle some after 6-4 center Carly Funicello graduated last year. But after tournament losses to Ventura and Bell-Jeff, the Indians quickly jelled, with Kobayashi shouldering much of the load.

“A lot was expected of me,” she said. “I probably still get yelled at more than anyone else in practice.”

Kobayashi, a junior, has flourished in an up-tempo style the team adopted without Funicello, a starter at UCLA. Kobayashi’s speed and quickness often create opportunities for teammates Kate Beckler, Dana Rios and Francine Bennette.

On fast breaks, Kobayashi often uses long passes to get the ball to teammates who have run behind the defense.

“When she first came here I could see she could handle the ball,” Alemany Coach Melissa Hearlihy said. “She’s always been good at that.”

After averaging 11.8 points as a sophomore, Kobayashi averages 16 points and more than six assists this season.

Kobayashi has made 58 three-point baskets and is shooting a team-leading 35.4% from behind the arc. Take away her three-point attempts and Kobayashi is shooting better than 55% even though her diminutive frame makes it difficult to score inside.

“I still get a lot of shots blocked,” Kobayashi said.

Kobayashi’s height hasn’t prevented her from playing good defense. She averages 3.5 steals.

She excels in another tall person’s sport--volleyball. A setter and back-row player, she helped the Indians to the second round of the playoffs last fall.