Sports Briefs

Players get chance to hoop it up at event

Local basketball players get a chance to showcase their skills

Nov. 10 at the Burbank Elk’s Hoop Shoot. The event will take place at 8 a.m. at John Muir Middle School.

The local Hoop Shoot is part of a national competition that starts with local schools. Players have the chance to move up to bigger events across the nation.

The district event is scheduled for Dec. 1 at Van Nuys High. Winners continue on to regional, state and the national event.

The program offers kids 8-13 the opportunity for skill development, social relationships and athletic competition.

More than three million youngsters from throughout the country entered last year’s competition for boys and girls.

Names of the national winners will be inscribed on the Elks National Hoop Shoot plaque on permanent display in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass.

For more information, visit the organization’s web site at www.elks.org/hoopshoot.com or call Glen Giles at (818) 847-9560.

Burbank alumni boys’ soccer match scheduled

The Burbank High boys’ soccer program is looking for former players to take part in its alumni match.

The event will take place at noon Dec. 8 at the school’s soccer field.

Bulldogs alumni players — from throughout the years — are encouraged to take part.

For more information, call Burbank Coach Frank Chavez at (818) 808-9394.

Annual holiday hoop camp scheduled

Athletes who would like to improve their basketball skills will get an opportunity to do just that at the eighth annual MVP Holiday Basketball Camp.

The camp will be held from 1-4 p.m. Jan. 2-4 at Verdugo Recreation Center.

The event is open to boys and girls in the fourth through eighth grades and the cost is $60. Space is limited to 45 athletes, and the registration deadline is Dec. 21.

The event is run by longtime Burbank Park, Recreation and Community Services, Catholic Youth Organization and high school coach Mike Graceffo. Graceffo — a Burbank park and rec athletics hall of fame inductee — has more than 25 years coaching experience and was an instructor at camps run by Michael Jordan and B.J. Armstrong.

Along with learning fundamentals and skills, athletes will receive a profile card outlining strengths and weaknesses, a self-help booklet, a gym bag, a T-shirt and a certificate.