Sports briefs: 6-17-04

SPORTS DEADLINE
The deadline for sports notices is Monday at noon. Due to space restrictions, all briefs must be limited to 30-50 words. Submissions should be typed or neatly printed, with both a contact number for verification and one for publication. Names should be properly spelled and include both first and last names. Phoned-in items will be rejected. The same brief will not be run for more than three consecutive weeks.

AND 1 BASKETBALL
The fourth installment of "The Best Baller In The Land" competition will hold an open casting call Saturday at 3 p.m. at Francis Myers Recreation Center, 58th Street and Chester Avenue. Scouts will choose one of Philly’s best street ballers for a coveted reserved spot in the Open Run prior to the And I Mix Tape Tour event at the Wachovia Center on July 10. Tryouts are free and open to the public.

GORETTI BASKETBALL CAMP
The Goretti basketball camp will be held this Monday-Friday for girls ages 10-15. Call Chip Reitano, 215-389-0672.

GUERIN BASKETBALL CAMP
The Philadelphia Department of Recreation will host a coed instructional basketball camp for ages 10-14 run by Girard Academic Music Program basketball coach Art Kratchman. The camp will be held at Guerin Recreation Center, 16th and Jackson streets, from July 26-30, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Call 215-685-1894.

JIMMY WILSON BASKETBALL
The Jimmy Wilson basketball camp and summer league is seeking boys and girls to play in age divisions 6-10, 10-14 and 14-18. Call 215-577-6919 by Tuesday.

NATIONAL TENNIS LEAGUE
The National Junior Tennis League, a seven-week grassroots program for children, will return to South Philly from June 28-Aug. 12, hosted by Barry Playground, 18th and Bigler streets; Weccacoe Playground, Fourth and Catharine streets; and Wharton Square Tennis Courts, 23rd and Wharton streets. Beginners play from 9 a.m.-noon; intermediate-level players will take the court from 1-4 p.m. Each child will receive a T-shirt and any equipment needed (including rackets). The fees are $50 per child or $75 per family for the entire summer, and partial and full scholarships are available. Pre-registration will take place at each site June 22-24 from 4-7 p.m. Call 215-487-9555 or visit www.ashetennis.org.

NEUMANN BASKETBALL CAMP
The St. John Neumann basketball camp for third- through eighth-graders will be held June 28-July 2 in the school gymnasium, 26th and Moore streets. Call Carl Arrigale, 215-389-7763.

PHILADELPHIA SPIRIT
The Philadelphia Spirit girls’ fastpitch softball 16-and-under team is looking for players. The team has immediate openings for a pitcher, an infielder and an outfielder. Call Bob Weitman, 215-824-1793, or visit www.philadelphiaspiritsoftball.com.

POINT BREEZE BASKETBALL
Coaches are needed for the Point Breeze summer basketball league for boys 13 and under. Call the Point Breeze Civic Association, 215-755-6628.

SEYAA SOCCER
Registration is underway for the fall outdoor soccer program, which will begin play Sept. 11. All prior participants will receive a registration form by mail. Divisions are 4-6, 7-9, 9-11, 12-14 and 15-17. Register at the SEYAA concession stand, Seventh and Bigler streets, Mondays-Fridays, 6-8 p.m., and Saturdays, 2-4 p.m. Visa and MasterCard are accepted. Visit www.seyaa.com or call 215-463-8802.

SIGMA SHARKS
Registration for the Sigma Sharks football and cheerleading squads for ages 8-15 is underway. Applications will be available at Chew Recreation Center, 19th Street and Washington Avenue, and Vare Charter School, 24th Street and Snyder Avenue. Call 215-851-1848.

SPNAL SUMMER PROGRAMS
Orientation for the South Philadelphia Neighborhood Athletic League will be held June 24 from 6-8 p.m. at Vare Recreation Center, 26th and Moore streets. The program is for ages 9-14. The SPNAL Unlimited League will kick off in July at Smith Playground, 25th Street and Snyder Avenue. Call Timothy McCutchen, 267-970-0960, or Kimyetta Lewis, 267-847-3294.

–compiled by Bill Gelman

SUMMER HOOPS TOUR
The ninth annual 76ers Summer Hoops Tour will begin June 28, 10 a.m., at the Christian Street YMCA, 1724 Christian St. World B. Free, the 76ers’ basketball ambassador, will lead youths in a series of drills and games emphasizing the fundamentals of shooting, passing, dribbling, defense and rebounding, as well as the importance of teamwork. The event is free and open to children of all ages. Each clinic lasts approximately 90 minutes and no pre-registration is necessary. All participants will receive promotional items and have a chance to challenge Free and the Sixers staff with their new skills. Call 215-339-7676.