2026 Champions Crowned In Elks “Hoop Shoot” State Competition
by Jill-Ann Ouellette
On Saturday, February 14th, three girls and three boys, ages 8-13, were crowned Champions at the Montana Elks State “Hoop Shoot”® free throw contest, which took place at Park High School in Livingston. District Champions from the five districts in Montana competed for the State Contest crowns. First, second and third place trophies were awarded in three age categories: 8-9, 10-11 and 12-13.
What are the rules of this free throw contest? Each contestant is given 25 opportunities to shoot a basket for score from within the free throw circle and behind the free throw line (except for 8-to-9 year-old contestants, that shoot 4 feet in front of the regulation foul line).
It’s a journey for youngsters to compete in the Hoop Shoot. The state finalists began competing in the fall of 2025. Starting with a preliminary contest held in many communities, the Hoop Shoot season kicks off with a school, YMCA or community-hosted feeder contest. Winners then have a chance to compete at a local Lodge contest. By winning their Lodge Contest, they advance to their District Contests where they earned the title District Champion, allowing them to travel to Livingston, MT, to compete at the State Contest.
These six first place winners (top right) from the State Contest will hit the road again as regional semi-finalists.
At the age of 13 years old, Emery demonstrated accuracy from the penalty line and brought honors to her hometown of Melville, MT and her sponsoring Lodge, the Livingston Elks Lodge. Emery beat the four District Champions from across Montana by dropping 16 out of 25 free throws in the 12-13 Girls Division, but was tied with Palmer Revier from Plains. In the tiebreaker, Emery went perfect from the line by sinking 5 for 5 and capturing the State Title.
Emery will travel with her parents, courtesy of the Livingston Elks, to Rapid City, SD, to the Northwest Central Regional Championship on March 7, 2026. She will be competing against the State Champions from North Dakota and South Dakota vying for the chance to claim the Regional title and advancing to the National Finals in Chicago, IL, April 18th where 72 National finalists compete. The top three boys and girls become National champions and have their names inscribed in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, MA.
The Elks “Hoop Shoot”®, began as a local program by Corvallis Oregon Elks in 1946 and the national competition is in its 54th year. Over one million boys and girls are expected to participate this year. For more information on the Elks National “Hoop Shoot” Contest, visit www.elks.org/hoopshoot.
At your local Elks Lodge “Family is first.” They sponsor many youth services and events including the annual “Hoop Shoot, a free throw program.” This competition builds self-esteem and promotes lifelong values such as integrity, hard work and good sportsmanship.” Their Drug Awareness Program takes action against youth substance abuse. They provide a number of large- and medium-sized youth scholarships.
The National Elks have been serving our communities and neighbors since 1868. Do you want to help? Smiling faces and warm welcomes await you. Your local Elks Lodge is located at 120 South 2nd Street in Livingston. They can be reached at 406-222-2511, and you can find them easily on Facebook.