The Highland Elks 2539 held their annual Hoop Shoot competition Saturday, Jan 10.
The competition has been held nation wide by the more than 1,700 Elks chapters for over 50 years, giving students ages eight to 13 the chance to earn a full ride scholarship to the college of their choice upon graduating.
The local competition consisted of eight boys and nine girls who competed in one of three age divisions, with the first-place winners moving on to the state tournament which will be held in Hot Springs in February.
Winners from February’s competition will move on to Regionals in KY followed by Nationals in Chicago Illinois.
According to John Ross of the Highland Elks kids compete to sink the most of 25 free throws. “Seventy-two National Finalists will head to Chicago, and six contestants will be named National Champions and have their names digitally displayed in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame,” Ross said. “Contestants connect with new friends and learn valuable skills like hard work and good sportsmanship that will help them succeed on and off the court. Elks invest in their communities through programs that help children grow up healthy and drug-free, projects that address unmet needs, and by serving veterans.”
Participants included students from: ICC, Viola, Melbourne, Highland and Salem schools.
In the boys division for age eight to nine: Wyatt Tackitt (1st) 20/25. In the girls: Ava Pleasant 8/ 25 and 2nd Blakelee Roger’s 7/25.
In boys age 10-11: 1st Barnett Payne 16/25; 2nd Manning Sinclair 15/25 and 3rd Braxton Toth 8/25.
In girls: 1st Natalee Gray 16/25; 2nd Caydee Cox 11/25 and 3rd Emma Allen 6/25.
In boys age 12 to 13: 1st Easton Worsham 15/25; 2nd Hoyt Lund 14/25 and 3rd Drake Holder 8/25.
In girls: 1st Autumn Cozad 21/25; 2nd Layla Evans 16/25 and 3rd Madison Bryson 13/25.
Pictured are: John Ross with Wyatt Tackitt.
Pictured are: John Ross with Ava Pleasant and 2nd Blakelee Rogers.
Pictured are: John Ross with Barnette Payne, Manning Sinclair and Braxton Toth.
Pictured are: John Ross, Natalee Gray, Caydee Cox, Emma Allen and Chad Martin.
Pictured are: Chad Martin, Easton Worsham, Hout Lund, Drake Holder and John Ross.
Pictured are: Chad Martin, Autumn Cozad, Layla Evans, Madison Bryson and John Ross.
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