Community
On Saturday, February 8th, three girls and three boys, ages 8-13, were crowned Champions at the Montana Elks State “Hoop Shoot”® free throw contest, which took place at Park High School in Livingston, MT. District Champions from the five districts in Montana competed for the State Contest crowns.
What are the rules of this free throw contest? Each contestant is given 25 opportunities to shoot a basket for score from within the free throw circle and behind the free throw line (except for 8-to-9 year-old contestants, that shoot 4 feet in front of the regulation foul line).
First, second and third place trophies were awarded to each boy and girl in three categories: ages 8-9, 10-11 and 12-13.
It’s a bit of a journey for youngsters to compete in the Hoop Shoot. The 27 state finalists began competing in the fall of 2024. Starting with a preliminary contest held in many communities, the Hoop Shoot season kicks off with a school, YMCA or community-hosted feeder contest. Winners then have a chance to compete at a local Lodge Contest. By winning their Lodge Contest, they advance to their District Contests where they earned the title District Champion, allowing them to travel to Livingston, MT to compete at the State Contest.
State Champions Crowned in Elks "Hoop Shoot" State Competition
Girls age 8-9 Ava Jurenic Butte Lodge#240 with 16 out of 25 baskets
Boys age 8-9 Braxton Pickering Missoula Hell Gate Lodge #383 with 23/25
Girls 10-11 Jerzi Nichols Butte Lodge #240 with 12/25
Boys 10-11 Tre Estes Anaconda Lodge #239 with 20/25 and 4/5 to break the tie
Girls 12-13 Pressley Neuman Missoula Hell Gate Lodge #383 with 22/25
Boys 12-13 Maverick Murphy Sidney Lodge #1782 with 22/25
These six first place winners from the State contest will hit the road again as a regional semi-finalist—staying the weekend in Rapid City, SD on March 8th and competing against winners from North Dakota and South Dakota. The top regional winners go to the National finals in Chicago, IL, on April 26, 2025, where 72 National finalists compete. The top three boys and girls become National champions and have their names inscribed in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, MA.
Other local contestants placing in the top three of their category:
Girls 10-11 Delaney Harper Placed 2nd Livingston Lodge #246 with 11/25
The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the sponsor this program. It is endorsed by hundreds of school systems around the country. The Elks fund the program primarily through its National Foundation and the support of the local lodges and state associations. The Elks pay travel and lodging expenses for the contestants and their parents.
The Elks “Hoop Shoot”®, began as a local program by Corvallis Oregon Elks in 1946 and is in its 53rd year of national competition. Over one million boys and girls are expected to participate this year. For more information on the Elks National “Hoop Shoot” Contest, visit www.elks.org/hoopshoot.
At your local Elks Lodge “Family is first.” They sponsor many youth services and events including the annual “Hoop Shoot, a free throw program.” This competition builds self-esteem and promotes lifelong values such as integrity, hard work and good sportsmanship.” Their Drug Awareness Program takes action against youth substance abuse. They provide a number of large- and medium-sized youth scholarships.
The National Elks have been serving our communities and neighbors since 1868. Do you want to help? Smiling faces and warm welcomes await you. Your local Elks Lodge is located at 120 South 2nd Street in Livingston. They can be reached at 406-222-2511, and you can find them easily on Facebook.