University of Portland signee Ella Zimmerman stands tall during Redondo Union's Southern Section playoff run

Versatile 6-foot-3 forward makes all facets of game look easy for the 22-5 Sea Hawks, who open section play Thursday at home versus Sonora

Two minutes elapse in a scoreless tie between the Redondo Union girls basketball team and host Peninsula of Rolling Hills Estates.

It doesn’t look like anyone is going to score.

Then Redondo Union’s Olivia DiNisco catches the ball at the high post. She lobs a pass to Ella Zimmerman underneath who easily lays one in off the glass.

Redondo Union is en route to a 57-16 victory, one of many wins on its way to the CIF-Southern Section Division 1 playoffs. The Sea Hawks host Sonora on Thursday in an opening-round game.

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A big reason why Redondo Union (22-5) is even in the playoffs is Zimmerman, a 6-foot-3 forward bound next season for the University of Portland.

“She has a combination of height and athleticism,” Redondo coach Marcelo Enriquez said. “She’s so versatile for a big kid. She gets up the floor and defends and can shoot mid-range.”

Even at 6-3, Redondo Union senior Ella Zimmerman brings the ball up court.  / Photo: Mike Choy

In the blood lines

Credit good genes.

Zimmerman’s sister, Abby, is a 6-1 sophomore on the Sea Hawks.

Her parents, Andrew and Lisa, played college volleyball.

“I didn’t want to play volleyball,” the Redondo Union star said. “I just played casually. I didn’t join a team until high school. I’ve played the last two years.”

She has also played softball at Redondo, though not last season. She’s good at that, too, once pitching a perfect game in a travel softball game.

That’s when her laser focus became apparent.

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“She finished a perfect game and had no idea why everyone was so excited for her,” Lisa Zimmerman said.

The Sea Hawk star is also oblivious to statistics. Ask her points and rebounds per game average and she’s stumped. For the record, she averages 20 points, 10 rebounds, and 1.6 rebounds per game.

“She doesn’t care about her points,” Lisa said. “She just wants to win. She hates to lose – that’s what drives her.”

Off the court, mom described the Sea Hawk star as bookish and usually quiet.

“She loves to read – different genres,” Lisa said. “She also likes to watch cartoons, like Phineas and Ferb. And she likes British humor – comedy shows and stuff. I think she likes the accents.”

Ella Zimmerman (2) averages better than 20 points and 10 rebounds per game.  / Photo: Mike Choy

In the paint

Zimmerman has athletic tape affixed to her hand. Last season she tore a ligament in her thumb and missed three weeks.

The thumb doesn’t seem to bother her as she traverses the court grabbing rebounds and making shots.

“I play a lot in the post, but I’d like to expand my game more and take more mid-range shots,” she said. “I like to take fade-aways – it’s my go-to. But they think I do it too much.”

There were no complaints, though. when she poured in 38 points and grabbed 17 rebounds in a win against Palisades.

Zimmerman, who has 4.3 grade point average, is looking forward to playing at Portland.

“I like the coaching staff and the campus and the program,” she said. “And it’s a decent school.”

Once to the cup, Ella Zimmerman (2) is nearly unstoppable / Photo: Mike Choy

In the playoffs

It’s the post-season now following another 20-plus win season for the Sea Hawks and a 10-0 league record.

It’s do or die, one loss and Zimmerman’s senior season is over. She wants to avoid that for as long as possible.

“Team-wise, I want to do better than last year,” she said. “Last year we made it to the semis. This year we want to make it to the finals.”

John Murphy is the sports editor of Century Group Media of Southern California. Follow him at @PrepDawg. 

Photos below by Mike Choy

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