Hoopshoot brings fun and competition to Lusk youth

Heather Goddard
Posted 1/19/22

How many free throws can you make in a row?

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Hoopshoot brings fun and competition to Lusk youth

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LUSK – How many free throws can you make in a row? On Sunday, January 16, Lusk youth from ages eight to thirteen had the chance to prove their free throw skills at the annual Elks Hoopshoot. Drawing 35 participants this year, youth were given the chance to sink 25 free throws. Those with the highest number were awarded accordingly. 

Categories were broken into boys and girls with three age brackets in each category. Boys results were: 8/9 Jarrett Nelson, 10/11 first place Donovan Swisher, second place Bryson Stream, 12/13 first place Brady Swisher and second place Corbin Matthews. Girls’ winners were: 8/9 first place Lavayiah Pavone and second Milla Martinez, 10/11 first place Mikyla Lyons with second place Kaydence Nelson and 12/13 first place was Delaney Stallman and second place Jaci Vetter. 

These winners will go on to compete at districts in Casper on January 29. They will get to compete in the T-bird gym at Casper College. If they win at the district level then they go on to state, then regionals and finally, if they make it that far, nationals in Springfield, MA. The Hoopshoot program is over forty years old. It originated in 1946 but it wasn’t until 1972 that a national competition was held. In 1974 the Elk’s National Foundation started funding the program. Then, in 1975 the Basketball Hall of Fame offered to display a plaque with the national winners’ names on it. 

According to the Elk’s website, “Grit is the will to persevere in the face of long odds. But, the important thing is that this characteristic that researchers and experts have concluded is so important for our children—our Hoop Shoot program develops it and reinforces it.” They encourage kids to set goals, develop skills and keep persevering even when things don’t go right.

These skills are just as relevant as they were when Past National President Frank Hise organized the very first hoop shoot in 1946 in Corvallis, OR. Those interested in their kids participating should watch for information about the hoop shoot for next year sometime in January 2023 and in the meantime, keep on practicing those free throws.