Beach Cities Sports: Basketball, volleyball and more
The AYSO Manhattan-Hermosa Region 18 Boys Under 12 All-Star team coached by former Dodger great Eric Karros and Scott Rusher won the Area 1 All-Star Playoffs in Riverside, competing against the best All-Star teams in their age bracket from Los Angeles and the Inland Empire. Playing in the rain, the team went 5-0 and advances to the State Championships on Sunday in Bakersfield. Team members includes (top row, left to right) Coach Eric Karros, Liam Hook, Kyle Karros, Henry Wedbush, Hudson Fredriksz, Jack Crawford, Asst. Coach Scott Rusher (bottom row) Fitzy Delmonte, Robbie Duchesne, George Boll, Ethan Granados, Aidan Reesing, Luke Sevier and Kalani Rusher. Photo courtesy of Lynne Hook
Basketball: Girls ages 8-14 can learn the fundamentals of basketball while improving their skill level at the ProSkills Basketball Clinic held every Sunday from 3-4:30 p.m. at the Spectrum Athletic Club, 2250 Park Place in El Segundo. The head coach is former Mira Costa and UC Fullerton standout Megan Richardson who led the Mustangs to CIF and State finals and was a four-time All-Big West player and the third highest scorer in UC Fullerton history. Clinics will be used as tryouts for Proskills travel teams. Cost is $25 per session ($80 for four sessions). To register, visit proskillshoops.com. For questions, contact director Justin McCurdy, proskillsbasketball@gmail.com.
Volleyball: The California Beach Volleyball Association (CBVA) is hosting a Men’s Open tournament Sunday at the Manhattan Beach Pier. On Saturday, Mar. 29 at the Hermosa Beach Pier, a Men’s B and the Campvolley Women’s AA tournaments will take place. Marine Street in Manhattan Beach will be the site for tournaments on Saturday and Sunday, Mar. 29-30. Men’s Open and Women’s Unrated play on Saturday followed by Men’s AA on Sunday. Cost is $45 per team ($65 for Open Divisions). All tournaments begin at 9 a.m. For more information regarding the Manhattan Beach tournament, contact JP Sailey, 310-220-9558; Hermosa Beach Chris Brown, 310-766-7234; Marine Street, Chad Mowrey, 310-351-2207 or cbvamarinestreet@yahoo.com. For adult and youth season schedules or to register, visit cbva.com.
The Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) begins its local beach volleyball season with the Los Angeles open to be held Saturday, Mar. 22 at Dockweiler State Beach. Competition features boys 18/16/14/12 and girls 18/16/14/12/10 divisions. On Saturday Apr. 5, Hermosa Beach hosts the AAU Spring Classic with competition in the boys 18/16 and girls 16/14/12/10 divisions. For more information, visit aaubeach.org or contact Gino Grajeda, 310-344-4466, ggrajeda181@msn.com.
Fundraisers: Redondo Union High School football players are selling Axxess South Bay Membership Books for $20 to help the Sea Hawk gridiron program. Each book contains more than $300 in savings that range from discounts at local movie theaters, dining establishments and retailers to the most popular theme parks and attractions from the Monterey Bay Aquarium to Disneyland and Knott’s to the San Diego Safari Park. For more information, visit ruhsfootball.com or contact head coach Matt Ballard, mballard@rbusd.org.
Roller Derby: Comprised of three home teams and two traveling all-star teams, Beach Cities Roller Derby begins its home schedule Saturday, April 12 when the Redondo Riots take on the Hermosa Hitgirls. Home games are played at Wilson Park Rink, 2400 Jefferson St. in Torrance. Joining Redondo and Hermosa as a home team is the Long Beach Banshees. All three teams primarily play intra-league games. On a larger, regional level, the Riptide Rollers compete against All-Star teams from other leagues. The Sea Vixens is a junior varsity team where up-and-coming skaters gain experience and sharpen their skills. Presale tickets are available online for $10 (plus $1.34 service fee) at brownpapertickets.com. Tickets at the door are $12. For more information including the season schedule, visit beachcitiesrollerderby.com. For questions, email beachcitiesrollerderby@gmail.com.