In the sphere of youth sports, there exists a time-honored tradition, at least in Longmont, that not only tests the mettle of young athletes but also instills invaluable qualities like determination and resilience.
The Elks Hoop Shoot, a youth free throw competition, has been the hub of this tradition for over 50 years nationally and approximately 30 to 40 years in Longmont.
As this thrilling competition kicks off this time of year, aspiring basketball enthusiasts across local towns gear up to showcase their skills on the free-throw line.
What sets the Elks Hoop Shoot apart is its continuing structure — winners move on from local competitions to district levels, then to state championships and ultimately to a grand national showdown in Chicago.
“It’s an annual thing, the Elks Club nationally puts on this free throw shooting contest called the Hoop Shoot. And basically, the kids come here, boys and girls ages 8 to 13, they shoot the best they can out of 25 free throws,” said Damian Wise, an event volunteer, and father of daughters who love playing basketball. “It assists with teaching them discipline. Just practice and discipline and focus. That's what it’s about.”
Undeterred by the hand-numbing -11 degrees, two intrepid young boys, Owen Reese, 12 years old, and Luke Bailey, soon to be 10 years old, braved the elements to reach the FaithPoint Church Gym by 9 a.m. While most kids their age were snugly wrapped in blankets, indulging in cartoons and cereal marathons, these boys chose character over comfort, opting for the challenge of the Elks Hoop Shoot.
Parents and lodge members, undeterred by the two inches of powdery snow beneath their boots, shuffled in with steaming cups of coffee, ready to cheer on the next generation of free-throw maestros. The atmosphere warmed up both figuratively and literally with the two boys taking a series of warm-up shots.
Secretary Allen Lenort delved into the details of the event’s organization, unveiling the magic book that holds the key to the Elks Hoop Shoot.
“It’s cool because we’ve had kids that have gone to regionals, but never had anybody go to the nationals in Chicago,” Lenort said.
Before the event unfolded, Wise and Lenort shared insights into the logistics and scoring procedures pointing out that participants go through two rounds. In the first, after a five-shot practice, they take ten free throws, followed by a break. The second round intensifies the challenge as contestants shoot 15 free throws consecutively, forming a collective total best of 25 shots.
With the precision of a free throw ninja, Reese sank an impressive 21 out of 25 shots. But hold onto your basketball shorts because the awesomeness doesn’t stop there. That’s right — he practically turned the hoop into his own cheering section and the result? Trophy time, baby!
The younger and smaller Bailey battled it out on another 10-foot hoop, but that didn’t stop him from leaving his mark. He shot a cool 13 out of 25 free throws, securing his spot in the winner’s circle with a shiny new trophy.
For the past three decades, the Elks in Longmont have been orchestrating a hoop-tastic extravaganza that’s been a slam dunk success with dozens and dozens of spirited boys and girls descending upon the scene.
However, in recent times, the COVID pandemic threw the ball out of bounds, slowing down the turnout to a modest duo of daring boys. The Elks, undeterred and fueled by the spirit of hoop dreams, are on a mission to revive the glory days of this fantastic event.
“There’s an excitement and enjoyment in watching kids as they find their groove during the competition,” Lenort said. “But then they start to get rattled and they'll start to miss a couple, take a step back and then start over. It’s so cool to see them fight. You could see them, they’re right in it. ‘Give me the ball.’”
Owen and Luke aren’t done yet. Oh no, these budding basketball buddies have their sights set on the next level of competition in Windsor in two weeks. They’ll be taking their free throw prowess to the north, aiming to conquer new heights and shoot their way into hoop history.
They’re not just shooting hoops, they’re shooting for the stars. The next level of competition better watch out because these two are on fire, and the trophy hunt continues.
