Youth invited to massive free throw contest at Elks Hoop Shoot

IDAHO FALLS — Local kids are invited to show off their free throw skills at the Elks Hoop Shoot contest on Saturday Dec. 14 at Club Apple.

For more than 50 years, kids have developed their sports prowess for a chance to compete in a national free throw championship sponsored by Elks Lodges across America.

“We welcome and encourage all eligible children to give the Hoop Shoot a shot!” the Idaho Falls Elks Lodge said in a news release.

Participating in the event is free.

The contest runs from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and offers six divisions for youth ages eight to 13 years old.

Winners will advance to a statewide competition.

The top free throw shooters can punch a ticket to an Elks Hoop Shoot National Championship in Chicago in April.

There, the best 72 free throw shooters nationwide will vie for six final slots.

“The names and photos of the best six Hoop Shoot National Champions (one in each division) will be displayed in a digital exhibit at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts,” according to the release.

The ball players will be divided into three categories:

Each age group has separate divisions for boys and girls, the release said.

Kids can compete in the contest based on their age on April 1, 2025.

Full details about the contest are available here.

For a complete list of the rules, visit https://www.elks.org/hoopshoot/compete/playbook.cfm.