Elks Hoop Shoot Set For December 12

The Effingham Elks Lodge #1016 will hold its 44th Annual Hoop Shoot Saturday, December 12 at 11 a.m at Effingham High School. This is the 13th year the Hoop Shoot will be held at EHS. Doors open at 10 a.m.

The Elks Hoop Shoot, conducted by the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks, is the nation's largest co-ed sports competition and the only noncommerical event on a national basis.

In 2014, over three million youngsters from all 50 states participated from local contest to National Finals where six champions were named. Ages 8-13 competed in the local levels for a chance to advance through District, Regional and State competition. Seventy-two youngsters emerged from regional champion competition to participate in the National Finals held in April. This year the National Finals will be held April 14-17 in Chicago.

All children, ages 8 through 13, are eligible to participate in the Hoop Shoot even if they are members of an I.E.S.A. team. Age categories are 8-9, 10-11, 12-13 for both boys and girls. Age group 8-9 shoot from four feet in front of the free throw line and use the junior size or girls' basketball. Age is as of April 1, 2016.

Each contestant has 25 shots at the hoop. The boy and girl in each age group with the best scores advance throughout four tiers of competition.  From the Nationals, one boy and one girl emerge as the National champion in each of the three categories. The winners receivee tropheis and their naems are inscribed on aspecial plaque in the Naismith  Basketball Hall of FAme in Springfield,D mass.

In addition to this, the Doris Zerrusen award for the best girl free throw shooter on the local level which has been presented for 23 years, and the Taylor Worman award for the best boy free throw shooter, which has been presented for nine years will be claimed by a boy and girl.

For further information, contact Chairman Lawrence Carie at 217-347-7536 or the Elks Lodge at 217-342-3636.