KIDS GIVE BASKETBALL THEIR BEST SHOT; COMPETITION'S MOVE TO COMMUNITY CENTER DRAWS 35 BOYS, GIRLS.

Byline: Sylvia L. Oliande Staff Writer

It was a basketball contest but there was no hot-dogging among the contestants at the annual Pepsi Hot Shot Skills Competition on Saturday, held for the first time at the new Agoura Hills-Calabasas Community Center.

The players who entered had a variety of skill levels, from the 15-year-old hotshot who's been playing for most of his life to the 8-year-old playing his first time in an organized league.

But the 35 contestants - mostly boys, but also a few girls - were all serious as they stepped up to the free throw line to take their minute in the half-court, testing their dribbling, shooting and rebounding skills.

Many said that despite the eyes of their peers watching them and counting the number of shots they missed, competing in the contest was less nerve-wracking than an actual game.

``With defense it's a lot harder to put up the shots,'' said Scot Shaver, 14, of Oak Park. ``Out here, there's a little less pressure in the game.''

The player with the highest cumulative score in three rounds of play will go on to represent the area at the Los Angeles finals in South Gate on Jan. 8.

Community center officials said that while some are interested in the grand prize trip to the Pepsi Hot Shot finals, most entered for the experience and just to have another reason to play the game.

``We want to make sure the kids are going to have a good time,'' said Dale Sumersille, recreation supervisor for the center. ``This is a chance for them to gain some confidence in their basketball skills.''

The contest had been held in the Agoura High School gymnasium for the past five years, but was moved to the brand-new community center this year so that it would attract more players from Calabasas and the surrounding areas.

The event was held in conjunction with the grand opening Saturday of the $15.7 million center jointly built by the cities of Agoura Hills and Calabasas.

So there was some commotion around the players while they competed, as some of the grown men - community members, politicians and city workers - took their turn at the baskets as well.

When congratulated on his performance in round one, 9-year-old Max Ball wrinkled up his nose and shook his head, no. He wasn't happy with his score of 15.

``I missed a lot of shots that I should have made,'' he said. ``I'm good at free throws and three-pointers. They really need a smaller ball. It slipped out of my hand.''

Many of the younger players had the same concern about the regulation-size basketball used. But none had more difficulty than 5-year-old Alex McFall, who didn't enter the competition but was trying to shoot baskets nearby.

He came to the center with his father and older brother to check out the building they'd been watching go up near their home for two years.

``The hoop's too high,'' said Alex, as he tossed the ball high in the air but just couldn't get it in. ``And I need a little ball. This is too big for my hands.''

He ultimately got a lift from his dad, Robert McFall, but he still missed the shot. He has three years to practice before he is eligible for the Hot Shot competition.

CAPTION(S):

2 photos

PHOTO (1 -- color) Jack Petros, 8, from Agoura Hills tries his hand at the annual Pepsi Hot Shot Skills Competition held at the Community Center in Calabasas.

(2 -- color) Delontea Scott, 12, sets up his shot in the Pepsi Hot Shot Skills Competition.

Lilly Barrett/Special to the Daily News