Elks Hoop Shoot Scheduled Saturday

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Published on December 12 2019 7:37 am
Last Updated on December 12 2019 11:17 am
Written by Millie Lange

The Effingham Elks Lodge #1016 will be holding its 48th Annual Hoop Shoot Saturday at 10 a.m. at Effingham High School. This is the 18th year the Hoop Shoot will be held at the EHS Gym. Doors open at 9 a.m.

The Elks Hoop Shoot, conducted by the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, is the nation's largest co-ed sports competition and the only non-commercial event on a national basis.

In 2019, over three million youngsters, ages 8-13, from all 50 states participated.  They started at the local contests with winners advancing to district, then to regional and then to state. Seventy-two youngsters emerge from state champions to National finals where six champions are named.

All youngsters, ages 8-13 are eligible to participate in the Hoop Shoot even if they are members of an IESA team. Age categories are 8-9, 10-11, 12-13 for both girls and boys. Age group 8-9 shoot from four feet in from the free throw line. Others shoot the normal range. Age is as of April 1, 2020. Age 8-9 boys' division uses the junior size or girls basketball.

Each contestant has 25 shots at the hoop. The boy and girl in each age group with the best scores advance through the four tiers of competition to qualify, local, district, state, regional and finals to reach the Nationals in Chicago April 21. From this final group, one boy and one girl will emerge as the National Champion in each of the three categories: six winners in all. Eac hwinner receives a trophy with their name inscribed on it and their name will also be inscribed on a special plaque in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass.

Carter Hoene of Teutopolis Grade School particpatedi n the National FInal in 2019. The Doris Zerrusen award for the best girl shooter on the local level which has been presented for 28 years and the Taylor Worman award for the best boy shooter on the local level will be awarded and has been presented for 14 years.