Six Champions Advance From Elks Hoop Shoot

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Published on December 20 2021 12:06 pm
Last Updated on December 20 2021 12:06 pm
Written by Millie Lange

Three boys and three girls, ages 8-13 years old, won first round competition at the Effingham Elks' Hoop Shoot free throw contest held at Efifngham HIgh School Saturday, December 4 and have been named the local Effingham Elks Hoop Shoot champions.

There were 62 participants from the area schools, 27 girls and 35 boys. Trophies were awarded to the first and second place winners in each age category, ages 8-9, 10-11 and 12-13.

The six champions will now advance to the East Central District Hoop Shoot contest, hosted by Champaign-Urbana Lodge #2497. The contest is Sunday, January 9 at Tolono High School. Participants will not be allowed any practice shots prior to the 1 p.m. start.

First place winners were:

12-13 Year-Olds

Boys -- Henry Will, son of John Will, (Jasper County Junior High School), made 17 of 25

Girls -- Kendra Hays, daughter of Kenneth and Sara Hays (Stew-Stras Grade School), made 20 of 25.

10-11 Year-Olds

Boys -- Connor Storm, son of Adam and Lindsey Storm (St. Anthony Grade School), made 18 of 25.

Girls -- Regan Kuenstler, daughter of Josh and Megan Kuenstler (Altamont Grade School), made 19 of 25

8-9 Year-Olds

Boys -- Luke Ziegler, son of Tyler and Melissa Ziegler (Teutopolis Grade School), made 18 of 25

Girls -- Mabry Wolf, daughter of Adam and Brooke Wolf (Newton Elementary), made 10 of 25

Second place finishers were:

12-13 Year-Olds

Boys -- Drake Herdes, son of Samantha Herdes (St. Thomas School), made 14 of 25

Girls -- Aubrey Denning, daughter of Clint and Amy Denning (St. Anthony Grade School), made 17 of 25

10-11 Year-Olds

Boys -- Weston Friese, son of Allen and Jody Friese (Stew-Stras Grade School), made 16 of 25

Girls -- Edie Wittenberg, daughter of Barry and Courtney Wittenberg (Stew-Stras Grade School), made 17 of 25

8-9 Year-Olds

Boys -- Kamden Klier, son of Kyle and Courtney Klier (Newton Elementary), made 16 of 25

Girls -- Aubrey Roberts, daughter of Kurt and Shannon Roberts (Altamont Grade School), made 8 of 25

The 28th Annual Doris (Carie) Zerrusen plaque was given to Kendra Hays (Stew-Stras Grade School) for making the most free throws of the 27 girl participants by hitting 20 of 25.

The 15th Annual Taylor Worman plaque was given to Conner Storm (St. Anthony Grade School) for making the most free throws of the 35 boys participants by hitting 18 of 25.

Doris (Carie) Zerrusen and Taylor Worman were past National champions of the Elks Hoop Shoot, Doris in 1982 and Taylor in 2001 and 2004.

The winners in each age group will be combined to determine the individuals to represent the Distrtict at the State contest. The State contest will be February 12 in Decatur. State winners go to the Regional at Iowa City, Iowa March 19. The Regional winners go to the Nationals in Chicago April 30.