Crean Lutheran star Drew Yezbak ‘heart and soul’ of Saints basketball team

Crean Lutheran guard Drew Yezbak brings the ball up during a game against Cypress in January. (File photo: Fernando M. Donado, For OC Sports Zone)

Crean Lutheran guard Drew Yezbak loves to win, and he did a lot of that during his three-year varsity basketball career with the Saints.

He played with the Saints’ JV team his freshman year.

“It was definitely great, it was a little bit different because we had a coaching change about halfway through my career but both coaches were great and great to play for,” Yezbak said. “It was a great experience and I wouldn’t do it any other way.”

Yezbak was a sophomore on the Crean Lutheran team that went 24-10 and won the CIF 3AA title in 2018, the first crown for the school in the sport.

“It was good, we had a good team,” Yezbak said. “I just tried to do everything I could to help the team win and we had a special team that year.”

This season, the 5-11 guard averaged 17 points and 3.5 assists a game while earning first team all-Empire League honors. He led the Saints to a 17-11 overall record. Crean Lutheran finished second in the Empire League with a 7-3 record.

“This year, I just tried to go out there and give it everything I was capable of but also try and get my teammates involved and ultimately win games, because I’m just out here to win,” Yezbak said.

Yezbak was a hard working and dedicated player, said Crean Lutheran Coach Nate Klitzing.

“Drew was the heart and soul of our team this year,” Klitzing said. “He is one of the hardest workers I have seen.  Drew consistently put himself in a position to succeed because of his drive and passion.  He was a great leader because of his commitment and work ethic, which inspired the rest of our team to play at a higher level.

“I am also proud of the way Drew helped our younger players in their growth.  He did this by modeling competitiveness and drive, while showing grace all along the way.  Drew has an old school, tough minded approach to the game.  I will always admire the toughness and grit that he possessed.

“But what separates Drew is his coachability and willingness to listen and learn, and to get better.  That is what I will remember the most about Drew.”

Yezbak has earned his share of recognition. He earned the Athlete of Character Award presented by the Orange County Athletic Directors Association.

He was also selected to play in the Orange County all-star basketball game at Cypress College tentatively scheduled for next month.

“It’s a big honor, I definitely couldn’t have done it without my coaches and my teammates,” Yezbak said of the all-star game. “I felt like I had a pretty good season and it’s a great honor. I’m thankful to have it. I’m going to try and have fun and put on a good show for the people and just have fun and play basketball.”

Yezbak would like to play college basketball next year and said he has a “handful of NAIA” schools taking a look at him.

“I’m still not sure yet and looking at my options,” he said.

Yezbak indicated he’s satisified about the first chapter of his career and grateful for the support.

Yezbak said his “parents have always been there to support me. My JV coach who is also my trainer, Coach Casey (Alston) has really helped me along the way. And my Uncle Joe (an assistant coach at Yorba Linda and former Cerritos High star) has also helped me a lot throughout my life….he’s helped me shooting and everything and also OC Fast-Twitch where I train and work out. They’ve helped me a lot with my athleticism.”

-Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com