Chatsworth’s Drell Back in Form

If there was a question how 6-foot-6 Adam Drell of Chatsworth High would respond after undergoing back surgery, he provided the answer last week during a basketball tournament in Fresno.

This was Drell’s four-game performance: 16 points, 16 rebounds; 26 points, 13 rebounds; 20 points, 10 rebounds; 20 points, eight rebounds. Chatsworth went 2-2.

“He had a huge tournament,” first-year Coach Emad Whitney said. “He’s developed a 15-foot shot and is shooting it well.”

Drell was a backup forward last season. He underwent surgery in April to repair a disk. He was sidelined until late August, but he’s healthy and inspired to make up for lost time.

An honor student, Drell has a 3.8 grade-point average and 1280 SAT score. He wants to become a doctor, like his father. Ivy League schools have been sending him recruiting letters.

Now he just has to prove the opening week of the season was only the beginning.