Showtime Original Pictures for Kids Annie O

 ((Sun. (29), 6-7:34 p.m., Showtime))

By ANNE BERGMAN

Annie's passion for b-ball has already put her at odds with her mother (Suzanne Ristic), who believes that her daughter's abilities will prevent Annie from landing a husband. Annie's struggles at home are only exacerbated when Washington High boys basketball coach Will Cody (Rob Stewart) discovers Annie shooting hoops in the gym and asks her to try out for the varsity team.
 

Showtime presents a Sugar Entertainment Production, filmed in Vancouver, B.C. Producer, Larry Sugar; director, Michael McClary; writers, Jefferson Berlin, Mark Bryan; camera, Dick Quinlan; editor, Judy Anderson; production designer, M. Kevin Ryan. TX:Cast: Rob Stewart, Coco Yares, Chad Willett, Suzanne Ristic, Lenno Britos, Robert Luft, Nuno Atunes, Joely Collins, Trevor Roberts, Chris Wilding, Will Sengotta, Jorge Vargas, Winston Brown, Biski Gugushe, Russell B. Porter, Lalinia Lindbjerg, Peter Flemming, J.B. Sugar, Richard Leacock, Aaron Pearl, Chris Bradford, Erick Keenlyside, Alf Humphreys, Bobby Stewart, Rebecca Toolan, Tony Sampson, William Sasso, Silvio Pollio, Peter Hanlon, Sean Milliken, Jessica Pedlow, Paul Norman, Christopher Anthony Bickford , Curtis Bechdholt, Paul Stafford, Sabrina Byrne, Vinessa Antoine. A '90s update of the Wild West legend of Annie Oakley, "Annie O"-- part of Showtime's ongoing series of original films for kids -- is similar in tone and premise to an ABC Afterschool Special, with its focus on 15-year-old Annie Rojas (Coco Yares), her gender-bending basketball skills and her determination to rise above the preconceived notions of how a teenage girl should behave. At first elated, Annie is discouraged from playing by her boyfriend, her best friend, her teammates (and their parents) -- and even her brother, with whom she competes for a slot on the team.

On the verge of quitting to make her life easier, Annie's convinced to stay on the team by enlightened Coach Cody and the team's star, "Wild" Bill Harper (Chad Willett). Armed with a competitive attitude -- as well as a mean outside shot -- Annie manages to win over all detractors, even garnering media attention as "Little Miss Sure Shot." Indeed, by season's end, Annie's so well-loved that when "Wild" Bill wins a spot as an All-American, the community protests, urging Bill to forsake the honor in favor of Annie.

While film's plot is muddled, Annie's conflicts remain compelling -- her brother's resistance is handled artfully, while Annie and Bill's burgeoning romance adds a sweet touch. On-court scenes surprisingly lack cliches, but seem at times idealistic: Annie, for instance, is never elbowed, nor is her ponytail yanked, by an opponent -- even during a championship game.

Performances for the most part are even-keeled; Yares' Annie is a regular kid who just happens to possess a gift for shooting hoops, while Stewart anchors the action as her coach. Annie's mother, however, has one too many scenes filled with histrionics. Despite taking place mostly in high school hallways and basketball gyms, pic still manages to look good, while retaining a realistic flavor.