OFF THE DRIBBLE—Oak Park High sophomore guard Erin Matsumoto drives into the lane during practice. The Eagles close out the regular season at home tonight at 7 against Bishop Diego. RICHARD GILLARD/Acorn Newspapers Chicks dig the long ball.

The Oak Park High girls’ basketball team lives that mantra.

With 175 trifectas entering the week, the Eagles are the best 3-point shooting team in the CIF-Southern Section.

The team averages eight treys a game, which is also the secondbest mark for any high school girls’ team in California. Pinewood of Los Altos Hills drills 9.9 long balls an outing.

Some teams live and die by the three—these Eagles simply feast.

Every Eagle is a threat to make a 3-pointer, including center Sarah Bucknovitz.

“I’ve made one 3-pointer— which is very exciting,” Bucknovitz said. “I’m actually shooting 50 percent on 3s. I’m 1-of-2.”

With first-year head coach Kenny Golub at the helm, a new offensive system in place and revamped roles for every player, no one knew the transition would be so smooth.

“The chemistry is fantastic and the energy level is never-ending,” Golub said. “They work hard for 32 minutes every game.

“I don’t have to ask them to do it. They do it for each other.”

Oak Park concludes the regular season tonight with Senior Night at 7 p.m. against Bishop Diego.

The Eagles use their quickness to penetrate and kick for open perimeter shots. They alternate between a tenacious man and swarming 2-3 zone perfected by Jim Boeheim’s Syracuse Orange.

Sprinkle in some half-court traps and opponents are enticed to play at Oak Park’s frenetic pace.

Kelsey Haines, a junior point guard, guides the Eagles on the court and during practice.

With club music blaring during warm-ups, it’s easy for Haines and the Eagles to feel good vibrations.

“Music at practice keeps our energy up,” Haines said.

Why do the Eagles shoot well?

One reason: Oak Park utilizes the shooting gun, a catch-and-shoot machine that spits the ball back to a shooter after each outside shot.

“We’ve had it in the past,” Haines said. “We just never used it. Last year, we had Lauren Varney in the post and most of our stuff was based on getting the ball in to her. We lost our weapon— we had to find a new one.”

An honors student with a 4.0 grade-point average, Haines also stars in center field for the OPHS softball team.

Golub raved about Haines, who entered the week leading Oak Park with 11.9 points and 3.4 assists per game.

“She’s one of the best point guards in Ventura County,” the coach said. “Kelsey is a competitor. She never needs to be motivated. Her energy is infectious.”

Leah Greenberg hoists threes a la Boston’s Ray Allen.

The coach said his super sophomore has NBA range.

Greenberg, who averages 11.1 points per outing, buries 3.1 treys a game, the fourth-best figure in the Southern Section.

If she gets an open look, she better shoot the rock.

“I need to shoot,” Greenberg said, “or else my teammates get mad at me.”

She drained 69 threes entering Tuesday, but only 14 field goals within the arc.

“I want to get better driving to the basket and improving my 3-point shooting percentage,” she said. “I want to get better as a whole player.”

The tallest Eagle by a head, Bucknovitz represents the muscle in the post.

The 6-foot sophomore averages 7.5 points, 8.6 rebounds and one block per night.

She admitted that she had a nonexistent offensive game during her freshman year on the varsity. Now she’s a threat on both sides of the ball and has found her niche on a squad full of shooters.

“At first it was weird,” said Bucknovitz, who also throws discus and shot put in track. “It was hard to figure out my role. I realized rebounding is what I can contribute.

“I have no problem watching my teammates shoot. I’m glad to see them succeed.”

Bucknovitz said sophomore Erin Matsumoto has stepped up.

A sixth man last year who didn’t play much in 2009-10, Matsumoto now starts—and does a little bit of everything.

Matsumoto can handle the ball, play along the wing or bang down low to fight for rebounds. Miss Versatility averages 8.5 points, 2.3 assists, 5 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game.

The sophomore is amazed how quickly Oak Park established its identity.

“I never thought we’d get this good,” Matsumoto said.

Shooting prowess comes down to one thing.

“ Practicing, practicing, practicing,” she said. “It’s been incredible.”

Senior captain Lindsay Courtney aids the Eagles at shooting guard. The four-year varsity standout tries to bring shooting and defensive intensity to the court.

“As long as we play our hardest,” Courtney said, “we’re happy with the outcome. . . . We don’t rely on one person. Anyone can get hot. That’s what makes us special.”

Alexis Futterman, the other senior captain, patrols the perimeter.

“We have a tight bond,” said Futterman, an honors student who played softball for two years. “We listen to music and laugh and have fun. But we work hard to get our work done.”

Courtney Wing, Brianna Zeolla, Courtney Pomush, Akansha Kakkad, Brooke Seegan and Nina Winsick also contribute.

“If we’re hot from 3-point land,” Haines said, “ we’re dangerous.”