Elks hoop shoot free throw contest 2021
(left) Jaycee Bateman and (right) Jacobie Bateman sister duo took top honors for the girls’ contest.
(Courtesy photo)
(left) Bradon Cartwright-Kissee and (right) Brydin Weymer won honors at the Elks free throw contest. Bradon took first place for the boys 8/9-year-old contest. Brydin was on top for the 10/11-year-old contest finishing with 16 made free throws. Bradon and Brydin both took first place in their age group at the regional competition in Sandpoint.
BONNERS FERRY — Elementary students competed in the Elks Hoop Shoot free throw contest at Valley View Elementary.
“The local contest mirrors the national competition and to grow grit in our young athletes,” said Paula Petesch, physical education teacher.
Many of this year’s students have spent endless hours of practice in the gym getting ready for basketball and specifically shooting free throws, she said.
Bradon Cartwright-Kissee made an impressive 19 shots out of 25 attempts to take first place for the boys 8/9-year-old contest. Tycen Koberstein and Tyler Manchester-Hecker rounded out the top three places.
Brydin Weymer was on top for the 10/11-year-old contest finishing with 16 made free throws. Very close behind was Jayden Carey, who took second place, and Marcus Marshall in third.
The duo sister group of Jaycee and Jacobie Bateman took top honors for the girls’ contest.
“Both have lived in the gym during their older siblings’ basketball practices and clearly have picked up a thing or two,” Petesch said.
Jaycee took the medal home for the 10/11-year-olds and Jacobie swished 12 free throws to win the 8/9-year-old contest. Other top honors were awarded to Emily Hart second, Chloe Crum third and Amber Heimer second.
The regional contest took place in Sandpoint at Farmin Stidwell Elementary on Dec. 18.
Bradon and Brydin both took first place in their age group along with the 11/12-year-old Boundary County Middle School winner, Jamison Cartwright-Kissee.
Jacobie took second place in the Sandpoint contest.
