Plant City Elks Lodge held their annual Hoop Shoot Free Throw Contest on Saturday afternoon.
The Elks’ Hoop Shoot has been held for nearly 50 years, aimed at “developing gritty kids.”
“We teach kids grit,” George Domedian said. “For the kid that may not be the best dribbler or may not be the best basketball player, any kid can stand at the free throw like and shoot a basket. It helps build camaraderie and they get to meet some new friends.”
With male and female participants in three different age groups that ranged from eight to 13 years old, the kids each got their opportunity to shoot 25 free throws and the winners will advance to the next round of the national competition. Participants were selected from preliminary free throw contests held at summer camps, basketball camps and local competitions, with the top competitors then meeting at this local event.
The winners from Saturday’s competition will advance to districts in Lake Placid with a chance to keep moving on to the state regional, state, national regional and eventually national competition at DePaul University in Chicago.
Winners at the national competition will have their names and picture listed as part of a brand-new digital exhibit in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
“We’re just trying to build the kids up,” Domedian said “For the kid who may not do well this year, we’re going to encourage them and tell them that next year they’ll be three inches taller and a little stronger. Go home, practice, come back next year and you could be a winner. We just want to build them up and let them have a good time.”