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Practice, concentration, goals and success.
These traits were obvious in all the young basketball enthusiasts who competed at the Ray High School Gym on Saturday, Dec. 9, in the Elks Hoop Shoot Free Throw competition sponsored by the Kearny Elks Lodge.
Three age groups of both boys and girls were represented by 27 competitors from the school districts of Hayden, Ray and Superior. The schools determined their representatives through earlier competitions held in P.E. classes.
Winning first place girls are Ariana Arbizo (age 8-9), Brooklyn Lechuga (age 10-11) and Mia Barragan (age 12-13). First place boys are Ryland Duarte (age 8-9), Paul Gaither (age 10-11) and Kaden Major (age 12-13).
First place winners representing the Kearny Lodge will move on to compete at the Arizona Elks East District Free Throw competition on Jan. 6, 2018 at the Chandler Boys and Girls Clubs. Winners of the District level move on to the Arizona Elks State competition with those winners advancing to Regional and National competitions. Regional finalists compete for a national title at the National Finals in Chicago and have their names inscribed in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
Second Place Winners for girls are Alyna Cruz (age 8-9), Selestina Sosa-Quintana (age 10-11) and Juliann Navarro (age 12-13). Second place boys are Ryan Garner (age 8-9), Matthew Armenta (age 10-11) and Joshua Walters (age 12-13).
Kearny Elks Lodge members assisted Hoop Shoot Chairman and Leading Knight, Riley Brenneman, who directed the competition and coordinated the event. Brenneman recognized the dedication of the participants and expressed thanks to their family members for support. Also, the Ray School District and staff were acknowledged for supporting the program through the use of their facilities.
For over 45 years, the Hoop Shoot allows every boy and girl between 8 and 13 in an Elks Lodge community the opportunity to participate in a fun, age-appropriate program that sets them up for future success. Participation in the Hoop Shoot encourages kids to set goals and work hard. For more information on the Elks Hoop Shoot go to www.elks.org/hoopshoot.
GIRLS 12-13 1ST PLACE-MIA BARRAGAN
GIRLS 10-11 1ST PLACE-BROOKLYN LECHUGA
GIRLS 8-9 1ST PLACE-ARIANA ARBIZO
BOYS 8-9 1ST PLACE RYLAND DUARTE AND RILEY BRENNEMAN
BOYS 10-11 1ST PLACE-PAUL GAITHER AND ELK RIEY BRENNEMAN
BOYS 12-13 1ST PLACE KADEN MAJOR
GIRLS 12-13 2ND PLACE-JULIANNA NAVARRO
GIRLS 10-11 2ND PLACE-SELESTINA SOSA-QUINTANA
GIRLS 8-9 2ND PLACE-ALYNA CRUZ
BOYS 12-13 2ND PLACE-JOSHUA WALTERS
BOYS 10-11 2ND PLACE-Matthew Armenta
BOYS 8-9 2ND PLACE RYAN GARNER AND ELK RILEY BRENNEMAN
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