Highwod Small Fry Basketball OM

International Champions 1997, 1998 & 1999

Founded 1969

2008 Tryout Information

 Highwood Small Fry’s travel program starts with practices in January, continues with participation in 6- 7 weekends starting the middle of February, and ends with the Varsity teams traveling to Orlando to compete in the International Small Fry Tournament held over Easter at Disney’s Wide World of Sports.  Founded in 1968, International Small Fry Basketball provides an opportunity for shorter boys and girls to excel in the game of basketball. The program is developmental, yet extremely competitive with an opportunity to meet new friends from the Midwest, Chicago, East Coast & Puerto Rico, and compete on the international level at Disney's Wide World of Sports® Complex. 

 Small Fry rules dictate that Varsity players cannot be over 5’1” and cannot be 13 years old before September 1, 2008.  In addition, Rookie players cannot be over 4’11” and cannot be 12 years old before September 1, 2008. The  measurement dates are December 6th for Rookies and early February for Varsity (TBD).

 Highwood Small Fry will have four traveling teams, 1 Varsity and 3 Rookie.  At least 75% of the players selected will come from our camp.  Tryouts (by invitation only) will be December 5th-7th, at the Highwood Recreation Center.  Highwood also conducts our own Developmental League for 9 and 10-year-old players that aren’t quite ready for a travel team.  Members of our coaching staff will run this league, once a week, during January and February.  Our teams and league are structured as follows.

 Highwood “Heat” – This top Varsity team will again be coached by Verne Reich and assisted by Kevin Kaminsky.  The Heat will be comprised of the top 12- 14 players in the area.  Again, all Varsity players must be 5'1" or smaller, and may not be 13 years of age before September 1, 2008.  The team will start practices in mid December, play a 6 - 7 weekend schedule of games, including a qualifying tournament for placement in the 41 ^st  Annual International Small Fry Tournament in Orlando, Florida, at Disney’s Wide World of Sports over Easter, April 13^th  - 16^th . For more information about Small Fry International, go to www.smallfrybasketball.com .

Rookies – Currently, we plan on three teams.  Our top 10 & 11-year-old Rookie team will consist of players that are not quite ready for Varsity competition.  Our other two Rookie teams will be comprised of the top 8, 9, and 10 year olds in our program.  Our Rookie teams play on the weekends from mid February through early April.  There is no International Tournament for Rookies.  A Rookie player must be 4'11" or smaller, and cannot be 12 years old before September 1, 2008.  Our coaching staff for 2009 includes Dale Fijalkowski, Jim Bernardi, Gil Degand, Michael Burke and Lori Fijalkowski.

Developmental League – Selected 9 and10 year olds will be invited to participate in our Developmental League once a week during January and February.  Rookie players are not eligible to participate.  Selected Highwood coaches will coach these teams.  Games are played at the Highwood Recreation Center.  We expect most of this year’s Rookies to be players that improved their skills in this league last year. 

OUR FOUR TEAMS ARE SELECTED BY ALL OF OUR COACHES

ON THE HIGHWOOD SMALL FRY COACHING STAFF

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