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November 19, 2009

Haverhill Hoop Shoot contest kicks off quest for national title

By Cara Spilsbury

The Haverhill Elks' annual Hoop Shoot contest for kids ages 8 to 13 will be Friday, Nov. 20, from 5 to 9 p.m. at Bradford Elementary School, 118 Montvale St.

The Elks National Hoop Shoot Program offers kids an opportunity for character and skill development, healthy spirited athletic competition, social relationships, quality family time, camaraderie and travel with a minimal expense to participants and parents.

The event is divided into three age divisions: 8- and 9-year-olds, 10- and 11-year-olds, and 12- and 13-year-olds. The age that the contestant will be on April 1, 2010, determines the age division he or she will compete in. Signups are the day of the event.

Each contestant is given up to five warm-up shots and then 10 shots to score. When all contestants in the age category have completed their first round of 10, the contestants will return to the line in the same shooting order to shoot 15 shots for a total of 25 shots for score. There is one girl and one boy winner in each age division.

But the opportunities don't stop there.

The six winning contestants in Haverhill will advance to the North District Contest at Lowell Vo-Tech on Jan. 16 where they will compete against six other Elks Lodges. The six winning contestants from North Division contest will advance to the State Championship Contest in Maynard on Feb. 6 where they will compete against eight other contestants in their age division for the state title.

The six state champions move to The New England Regional Finals in Portland, Maine, on March 27 where they will compete against the state champions from the other five New England states. The six New England Champions move onto the National Finals in Springfield, — the birthplace of basketball — on April 24 where they will compete against 11 other regional champions in their age division.

The winners of this contest will be The Hoop Shoot National Champions and will have their names engraved on a permanent plaque in The National Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield.

Each year, more than 3 million boys and girls are involved in the Hoop Shoot throughout the United States, including Alaska, Hawaii and Guam.

All expenses for travel, housing and meals for the contestants and their parents at the Regional and National Finals are provided by The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.

For more information, call Glen Ouellette at 978-361-5816.

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Haverhill Hoop Shoot contest kicks off quest for national title
by By Cara Spilsbury , , Thu Nov 19, 2009, 10:48 AM EST
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