O.C. Insider: The scoop on Brea Olinda's Ervin

The Scoop On: Brea Olinda’s Jonae Ervin

The Basics: 5-foot-2, Senior, Point Guard

Quick Evaluation: Ervin could probably dribble her way through a stampede of wildebeest. Like an all-pro running back, if the defense gives her an opening, she’ll burst through it, driving to the basket for an easy lay-in. Never afraid to penetrate, she can kick it outside or sink an off-balance shot. It’s all about speed, speed, speed.

What’s next: Full ride to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. “Her speed is amazing, so she’ll be great at the next level, too,” Coach Jeff Sink said.

How she did Saturday against Foothill: With teammate Justine Hartman hobbled by a sore knee, Ervin was Brea’s offensive force, driving her way to a game-high 28 points. She had five assists, grabbed four rebounds and scored six of Brea’s eight points in overtime, as the Ladycats won, 71-59.

Electricity: “Clearly, she is the sparkplug that makes us go,” Sink said.

How long has this three-year starter, four-year varsity player been doing that?

“Probably from the womb,” Sink said.

The parks to the courts: The Long Beach native has been playing basketball since she was 8 but did not play organized hoops until 8th grade. Ervin started off in Southern California parks but credits the Brea coaches for helping her hone her game.

“Street ball is 1 on 1 most of time,” Ervin said. “It’s hard to develop chemistry with them, because you don’t see them every day.”

It’s not TV, it’s NBA: Ervin doesn’t watch TV shows. “Any time I get a chance to turn on the TV, it’s been basketball.”

Her grandmother passed down the love of Lakers genes, and her step-father instilled a love of Michael Jordan - even though Ervin watched him mostly as a Washington Wizard.

Her favorite player, the one she models herself after: “Kobe. …

“But I want to play team ball at the same time. He’s kind of selfish sometimes.”

Basketball, Books, Blood: “I’m not really a go-out person,” Ervin said.

Described as a “gym rat” by her coach, when Ervin’s not with a basketball or schoolbook, she prefers to spend time around relatives.

“I’m really attached to my family,” she said. “They’re really supportive. I didn’t want to go too far (to college). I want them to keep enjoying coming to my home games.”

Contact the writer: jkay@ocregister.com