Hoop Shoot winners advance to districts

 The 51st annual Elks Hoop Shoot was held Saturday, Jan. 14 at Weiser Middle School. 

 As always, the long-time event drew the best basketball free-throw shooters from Weiser and beyond.

The competition was split between boys and girls, with age groups consisting of 8-9 years of age, 10-11, and 12-13.

 Each shooter was tasked with making as many free throws out of 25 as possible, with high shooters qualifying for the District Hoop Shoot to be held this Saturday, Jan. 21 at Nampa Christian High School, located at 11920 W. Flamingo Ave. in Nampa. Competition begins with the youngest age group at 9 a.m.

 Winners of the district event qualify for the state competition to be held in Kellogg, Idaho on Saturday, Feb. 11. Coordinator Darrel Krause said last Saturday’s event drew 29 shooters, adding that winners who need a ride to the competition in Nampa can call and make arrangements.

 “This is a big event in Weiser every year,” he said. “Most parents want to be there, but if anyone needs a ride to Nampa, the Weiser Elks is available to take them there.”

 Krause has been involved with the hoop shoot for about 40 years, the last six as the competition coordinator. He cites the event’s success to the many volunteers and the Weiser Recreation Department.

 “The volunteers need to be recognized,” he said. “We had girls on one side of the gym and the boys on the other. At each shooting station, we had three scorers and two rebounders to bring the ball down and get it back to the line judges. We had one line judge for each side of the gym that handed the ball to the shooters, so there were quite a few volunteers involved. It’s all run by volunteers. There are no paid people, and we work really close with the Weiser Rec. Department, so it’s a big thing.”

 Krause applauded Kolt Harrison who, as an eight-year-old, co-led all shooters with 17 successful shots. The other high scorer was Hudson Kovick in the 12-13 age group. Leading the girls was Sophia Shirts in the 12-13 age group. For more information, call Darrel Krause at (208) 550-2365.

Here are the winners:

 Boys 8-9:  Kolt Harrison, 17; Isaiah Valasco, 14: 10-11: Liam Marples, 14; Ronan Mills, 11: 12-13: Hudson Kovick, 17; Jantsen Walker, 15; Girls 8-9: Lillyanna Marquez, 2; Kaylee Young, 1: 10-11: Ava Shirts, 6; ElleJane Woods, 2: 12-13: Sophia Shirts, 13; Alyvia Goff, 11.

 Volunteers: Dave Jenkins, Kale Harvey, Mic Warden, Becky Hale, Sue Walker, Deb Jenkins, Rusty Walker, Steve Hill, Terry Mooney, Dorothy Evans, John Evans, Mandy Salzsieder, Ken Salzsieder, Ethan Sullender, Dale Emert, and Johnna Eldridge.