Highwod Small Fry Basketball OM

International Champions 1997, 1998 & 1999

Founded 1969

Highwood Small Fry "A Tradition Like No Other".

Highwood Small Fry has a rich tradition started by Ozzie Mazzetta in 1969.  He recognized the need for a program for advanced players participating in the Highwood Recreation Center’s house league.  He joined Small Fry Basketball and felt that its unique concept was a perfect fit to offer these players.  It was an opportunity to travel around the Chicago and Southern Wisconsin areas, to play the best competition and to participate in an exciting Small Fry International Tournament to close the season.  Over his 37 years, Ozzie has been Highwood Small Fry’s first coach, fundraiser, and president, and is currently the Chairman of the Board of Directors.

 Marvin Baker joined Highwood Small Fry in 1970.  He has been coach, president and he has organized our yearbook year after year, until he departed our program a few years back.  Vince Donofrio joined Ozzie and Marvin in 1972.  Vince has been a coach, finance director and is now the President of the Highwood Small Fry Board of Directors.

As the program has grown, Highwood has become the biggest organization in all of Small Fry.  We currently support two franchised Varsity teams, three Rookie teams, and our own instructional and developmental programs internally.  In 1997, 1998, and 1999, our top Varsity team won the International Championship with the guidance of Head Coach Verne Reich, who has been the Highwood Heat head coach for 24 years.  A “3-peat” hasn’t been accomplished since 1978.

In our recent years, due to a rich tradition, size and coaching/program philosophy, Highwood has attracted many of the top guards in the northern suburbs.  Each year there are approximately 30 players on local high school varsity & college teams that we’re proud to say came from our Highwood Small Fry programs.  Recent Highwood players have come from as far southwest as Naperville and Western Springs, to as far north as Gurnee.

Any basketball program is only as strong as its philosophy and a staff to implement it.  Our goal has always been to be a teaching program in a fun, disciplined environment.  Our staff consists of coaches that volunteer to coach their traveling teams, and are paid a minimal fee to teach at the instructional and developmental programs.  Their rewards are a trip to the International Tournament each year and the joy of coaching the top basketball players for their size and age in all of the northern suburbs.  None of our coaches are fathers of the players, which makes the selection of players and playing time a decision of merit alone.

Last modified: Saturday April 28, 2007 10:48 AM