FOR THE KIDS : Players Get a Chance to Take Their Best Shots : Hotshot basketball skills contest gives youngsters a chance to score points. The winners will be given tickets to NBA games.

If you have a kid who would rather shoot baskets than eat, here’s a chance to try out those skills against thousands of other youthful basketball nuts in Southern California.

The Pepsi Hotshot basketball skills competition is under way. Despite its name, this is not a competition just for hotshot players. In fact, the participants don’t play at all. They compete by shooting baskets at marked spots on the court. The best shooters from local contests then compete in the finals in January at South Gate Sports Center in the Los Angeles area.

In the past, Santa Paula’s recreation department has been the only agency in Ventura County that has regularly been involved in the free contest. But this year, Santa Paula has been joined by the Conejo Recreation and Park District, Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District and Oxnard’s recreation department.

Conejo’s competition is Saturday, Oxnard’s is scheduled Nov. 26 and Simi’s will be Dec. 11. Santa Paula already held its round Nov. 6, and more than 100 boys and girls competed--20 more than last year.

Basketball is hot among kids, recreation leaders say, maybe because of former NBA superstars such as Magic Johnson and Michael Jordan. Whatever it is, kids are playing more ball now than ever.

“There are places you go where kids are practicing all the time,” said Ed Mount, Santa Paula’s supervisor of recreation. “Kids are sneaking into the gym.”

The Pepsi Hotshot competition has been around for 18 years, and Santa Paula has been involved for almost 10 years, he said. Last year, about 10,000 boys and girls from Southern California competed. The number of participating agencies grew from 40 to about 60 this year, according to contest officials.

The contest is aimed at youthful players of all levels. In fact, varsity basketball players are ineligible. Generally, it’s open to kids born between 1978 and 1985, but local districts may further limit the age range.

The competition works this way: Kids attempt to shoot baskets from five “hot spots” marked on half of the basketball court. They have a minute to do it in. They score points for the baskets they make, and they can earn bonus points for attempting shots at all five locations and super bonus points for attempting a second shot from those spots. They get three one-minute rounds, and they get dinged for violations such as traveling or palming the ball.

Boy and girl winners in as many as four age categories are determined through a point system. These shooters compete in the finals, where they will be joined by hundreds of kids. The winners at that level receive NBA game tickets.

Paul Ronan, recreation coordinator for Oxnard, said he didn’t have any idea how many youths might take the Pepsi challenge. (Kids can sign up the day of the competition.) But he has spread the word to the city’s youth teams, which have swelled to almost 100.

“We’re running out of places to play them,” he said. “It’s getting harder to get gym time.”

At Rancho Simi, it’s been the same story. The youth basketball program has grown to 800 kids. Much of it happened during the last three years, when the program increased by about 100 kids each season, said Dale Long, the district’s recreation superintendent.

Rancho Simi offered the Pepsi Hotshot once before, he said, “but it never got off the ground.” This year, he also spread word of the contest through the leagues.

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Conejo Valley Adult School has lined up a series of children’s performers for its first Conejo Valley Children’s Concert Series. The season kicked off last month with a show by singer-recording artist David Jack. Next up are Cathy & Marcy, a musical duo who will be performing at 10 and 11:30 a.m. Tuesday at Conejo Valley Adult School, 1025 Old Farm Road, Thousand Oaks. They combine their songwriting skills with folk, country and bluegrass music. Gearing their show for preschoolers, they yodel and sing the “Alphabet Boogie” backward and teach kids to play along on their “air guitars.” Tickets are $5 per person in advance, or $6 at the door. For information, call 497-2761.

Ventura County Life contributor Jane Hulse is a parent and knee-deep in kids’ activities. If you have any family news, send it to her at Ventura County Life, 5200 Valentine Road, Suite 140, Ventura 93003, or send faxes to 658-5576.

Details

* WHAT: Several Ventura County recreation agencies are sponsoring the Pepsi Hotshot basketball skills competition.

* WHERE:

Conejo Recreation and Park District, Saturday, beginning at 9 a.m. at Borchard Community Center, 190 Reino Road, Newbury Park. Open to boys and girls born 1978 to 1985. For information, call 495-4674 or 498-3124.

Oxnard Recreation Department, Nov. 26, beginning at 9 a.m., at Colonia Gymnasium, 195 N. Marquita St. Open to kids born 1978 to 1984. Call 385-7995.

Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District, Dec. 11, Simi Valley High School, 5400 Cochran St. Registration from 9 to 10 a.m., with competition from 10 a.m. to noon. Open to boys and girls born 1978 to 1984. Call 584-4400.