Local youths compete in Gouverneur Elks Hoop Shoot

by Rachel Hunter

The Gouverneur Elks Lodge No. 2035 hosted the local level of the Elks National Hoop Shoot, a free throw contest for youth aged 8 to 13, on Saturday, November 18 at the Gouverneur High School main gymnasium.

The Gouverneur Elks Lodge No. 2035 once again showed that “Elks Care, Elks Share” as they hosted this year’s local Hoop Shoot, proving once more that the Gouverneur Elks are here to serve the local community. The Gouverneur Elks Lodge No. 2035 – one of more than 1,800 lodges across the nation – seek to invest in their communities through programs that help children grow up healthy and drug-free, by undertaking projects that address unmet need, and by honoring the service of veterans. The Gouverneur Elks Lodge No. 2035 recently held a successful roast beef dinner, which was offered at no cost to local veterans and their significant others. In addition to the Elks Hoop Shoot, the Gouverneur Elks Lodge No. 2035 also hosts a Children’s Christmas Party for local youth and a dinner for senior citizens in December.

This year marks the 51st anniversary of the Elks Hoop Shoot Program. The Elks National Hoop Shoot has its start in Corvallis, Ore., 1946. While observing a group of boys playing basketball, the late-Past National President Frank Hise noticed that the smaller kids had a hard time keeping up with the others. To level this imbalance, he organized a free-throw contest where every kid could participate. On that day, the Elks Hoop Shoot was born. But, it wasn’t until 1972 that the program held its first national finals in Kansas City, Mo.

1974 was big year for the program. The Elks National Foundation started funding the program. Gerald (Getty) Powell was named as the program’s first national director. One of his first orders of business was to allow girls to fully compete in the contest.

In 1975, the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass., offered the program the opportunity to display a plaque inscribed with the names of all the national champions. The plaque has been displayed there ever since. In 1979, Powell retired and Emile Brady became the second national director of the program. In 1980, the national finals moved to Indianapolis. They remained in Indy through 1995, except for 1991, when they were held in Springfield in conjunction with the Hall of Fame’s celebration of basketball’s centennial. In 1996, the finals moved back to Springfield, where they remained until 2015. Starting in 2016, the Hoop Shoot National Finals will be held in Chicago—the home of the Elks. In 1997, Cam Cronk took over as national director. In 2012, Cam and his wife Linda hung up their jerseys. Since 2012, the Elks National Foundation both funds and runs the program. Each year, the six Hoop Shoot National Champions will have their names listed alongside their picture in a brand-new digital exhibit in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts. Additionally, two of the Frank Hise National Champions are in attendance when the Hall of Fame inductees are honored at the Enshrinement Ceremony. The 2024 Hoop Shoot National Finals will take place in April 2024 in Chicago.

Gritty North Country youths arrived at the GHS gymnasium to compete in the Hoop Shoot contest, sponsored locally by the Gouverneur Elks Lodge No. 2035. Gouverneur Elks Lodge No. 2035 Hoop Shoot Director Rod Pryce welcomed the participants and their families to the annual free throw contest, and detailed the rules. All contestants had to be at least 8 years old and no older than 13 as of April 1, 2024. They could compete in one of the six divisions: Boys (ages 8-9), Girls (ages 8-9), Boys (ages 10-11), Girls (ages 10-11), Boys (ages 12-13), and Girls (ages 12-13). “This is a free contest, and we enjoy doing this every year,” Director Pryce said.

As stated in the Elks National Foundation Hoop Shoot playbook, each contestant, in order of their draw, were allowed up to five warm-up shots (if desired) and then, had the opportunity to shoot 10 shots for score. The designated line judges then informed the contestant and the scorers that the contestant is shooting for score. Upon completing their warmup shots and 10 shots for score, the contestant sat on a chair until the remaining contestants have completed their warmups and 10 shots. After the other contestants finished shooting, they were then allowed 15 shots to complete their 25 shots for score.

In the 8-9 Boys Division, the first-place trophy and a certificate of achievement was presented to Warren Gardner. The runner-up trophy and certificate of achievement was presented to Luca Wood.

In the 8-9 Girls Division, the first-place trophy and a certificate of achievement was presented to Kiarra Wood. The runner-up trophy and certificate of achievement was presented to Mya Larsen. The third place trophy went to Daphne Bearden. Fourth place went to Jacelynne Hale.

In the 10-11 Boys Division, the first-place trophy and certificate of achievement was presented to Grant Young. The runner-up trophy was presented to Cash Newvine. A third place trophy was presented to Brewer Gardner. All competitors received a certificate of achievement.

In the 10-11 Girls Division, the first-place trophy and certificate of achievement was presented to Ricki Bowhall.

In the 12-13 Boys Division, the first-place trophy and certificate of achievement was presented to Blake Shampine. The runner-up trophy was presented to Jon Persons. The third place trophy was presented to Noah Austin. All competitors received a certificate of achievement.

In the 12-13 Girls Division, the first-place trophy and certificate of achievement was presented to Mia Young. The runner-up trophy was presented to Reese Vrooman. The third place trophy was presented to Ragean Vrooman. Fourth place went to Laila Bearden.

The top finishers are now eligible to compete in the North Central District in 2024, hosted by the Carthage Elks Lodge No. 1762.

Each participant received a Gouverneur Elks Lodge No. 2035 Elks National Hoop Shoot T-shirt. Much gratitude was extended to the families of the participants for allowing the young athletes to compete, the Gouverneur Elks and other helpers who volunteered their time during the event, to the Gouverneur Wildcat JV Basketball Players for their assistance, and to Gouverneur Central School District and GCS Athletic Coordinator Aaron McEathron.

All competitors were invited back to the Gouverneur Elks Lodge No. 2035, located at 1419 US Highway 11, Gouverneur for a free pizza party and award ceremony. Much gratitude was extended to the Gouverneur Elks Lodge No. 2035 for their efforts in hosting the event. Director Pryce was pleased with the tremendous turnout, with nearly triple the number of participants over the 2022 event. There is great enthusiasm for the event’s continued growth in future years. For more information about the Gouverneur Elks Lodge No. 2035 or the Elks National Hoop Shoot contest, call the local lodge at 315-287-1630.