rockfish spring run

SoCalHoops Recruiting News

We Interrupt The Playoffs To Bring
You A Short Rockfish Message....--(Feb. 21, 2003)

	What:		Rockfish "Open Call" Spring Run
	When:		Sunday, March 2, 2003
	Time:		9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
			Registration Promptly at 9:15 a.m.
	Who:		8th, 9th, 10th & 11th

We hate to divert attention away from what is now the most important time for many of the top teams and players, but in the coming weeks, as more and more teams fall and end their seasons, and as the playoff focus becomes narrower and narrower, down to just those few teams who will go on to win Section Titles and then move on to the State Tournament, there will be more and more players whose high school seasons will have ended. And while many will go on to play baseball, or run track, or play volleball, there will be many who will begin to think about what they will do in the spring for basketball and on into the summer travel circuit. So, consider this article just a bit of advance planning, as well as a "good news-bad news" kind of story.

First, the Bad News: The season will soon be over. For some who lost in the first round, it's already over. Now the really bad news: For those who have not been invited to participate in the Rockfish Spring League, the league is already full, and Dave Benezra and Mark Mayemura tell us that it is extremely unlikely (as in, "not going to happen") that any more players will be added to the rosters for the RSL.

Now the Good News: For those who want to travel with a Rockfish team this spring and summer, the RSL is NOT the sole ticket to be invited to travel in such showcase events and tournaments. The even better good news is that the Rockfish will be holding an "Open Call" workout, really just a scrimmage run, on Sunday, March 2, 2003 at Redondo Union HS from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Rather than paraphrase what this is all about, or misinterpret what the event's significance might be for those wishing to play for a Rockfish travel team, we'll just give you the e-mail we received from David "Rockfish" Benezra asking us to let people know about the event. Here's how David described it:

The Los Angeles Rockfish will be hosting an "open call" for current juniors, sophomores, freshmen, and 8th graders at Redondo Union HS in Redondo Beach on Sunday, March 2 from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm with registration starting at 9:15 am (no fee).

This is not a tryout to get a spot in the Rockfish Spring League (RSL), which is booked. Rather, it is an opportunity for parents who are interested in trying to get their son in the Rockfish program.

It is not necessary to play in the RSL to make a Rockfish traveling team. Justin Hawkins of Mayfair is an example of just one player who attended a spring open call and did not play in the RSL that year, yet traveled with the Rockfish.

Due to the shortage of time and the expected large turnout (we had roughly 80 players show up on very short notice last year) the Rockfish will not do any drills as they normally do, outside of warm ups. Players will be put into teams and given an opportunity to show their talent in scrimmages.

As for younger players, they should not be intimidated. The RSL normally has a couple of 8th graders in it, and the Rockfish will usually have a couple of 8th graders traveling in the summer with them. It is a good way for an 8th grader to catch some early attention if he is interested in eventually participating in the Rockfish program.

This will be the only "look" that the Rockfish will have time for as the RSL starts the following weekend and at the conclusion of the RSL, the Rockfish will be preparing for spring travel.