ASHLAND — Buckets were in abundance at the Ashland Elks #1360 annual Hoop Shoot contest.
For 51 years the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks has hosted a national free-throw contest known as the Hoop Shoot.
Featuring kids from all over Ashland County that won their school’s contest and 30 volunteers from the Ashland Elks lodge, the event took place at the Keith Wygant Memorial Field House on Saturday, Dec 16.
With three different age groups for boys and girls, Ashland advanced six champions to the district contest in January.
If the local youngsters beat out the other 13 lodges in the district, they advance to the state contest. A victory there would send them to the regional.
Regional winners are advance to Chicago to compete in the national finals.
National champions get their name inscribed in the National Basketball Hall of Fame. In the last 11 years, Ohio has produced 9 champions and 16 over the 51 years of the contest.
Ohio is currently tied with Indiana for the most champions all time.
Ashland’s winners this year are as follows:
Boys
8-9: Lincoln Johnson
10-11: Hayes Emmons
12-13: Dylan Sprowl
Girls
8-9: Sophia Gallatin
10-11: Cole Carpenter
12-13: Kyla O’Brien
