With an enrollment of about 400 students from ninth through 12th grade, Flintridge Prep has a number of its students participating in more than one sport.
That has kept the girls’ basketball team from playing together as frequently as some other schools this summer.
But coach Todd Frost is encouraged with his group of eight returning players for next season. The Rebels have played just three times this summer, winning Monday night, 40-23, against Westridge for the first time in a South Pasadena High summer league game.
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“For us the summer is a chance to get out and play,” Frost said. “We don’t put in too much because of (everyone’s) travel schedules.”
Frost said many of his players are part of the volleyball team, and the school encourages participation in multiple sports.
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“We try to encourage them to do what they want to do,” Frost said. “We don’t want them to become specialized single-sport athletes unless that’s what they want to be.”
The Rebels, who were 8-16 a year ago, were very young as just two players returned from the previous season.
This season things should be different as there are varsity experienced players led by sophomore-to-be Maya Okamoto, who is a returning first-team All-Prep League pick and was the second leading scorer in the Prep League behind Pasadena Poly star Michelle Miller, who is one of the top players in the state. Okamoto, a point guard, had 20 points in the win against Westridge.
Junior Katherine Bogaard and senior Kimberly Kim are two outside shooters to compliment Okamoto. Bogaard had 18 against Westridge.
Juniors Gabby Zen and Kinsey Thompson are two key inside players.
“We’ve had teams that go 1-9 or 2-8 in the summer that are very successful in the (winter),” Frost said. “We’re working on stuff. We’re getting everyone a chance to play. We’re seeing what things we can do. It’s not always about winning. You’re looking for things. Winning is sometimes secondary to the things you are trying to accomplish.”
Frost said that the assessment phase gives a coach a measuring stick of what to expect once the season gets into full swing in the winter.
“(If you) put them in a situation where they’re not concerned about winning and losing, you get to see who is going to step up under pressure. Who is going to grab that critical rebound. Who is going to make that big defensive play,” Frost said. “We need to find that out in games like this.”
