PIERRE, S.D. – Six local kids were winners in the Elks Lodge #1953 Hoop Shoot at the Georgia Morse Middle School gym on Sunday evening.
Sophie Hackett, Tripp Lindekugel, Kenzie Clark, Adler Bastian, Tenley Lindekugel, and Kayden Jordan each won their age group and will advance to the Elks State Hoop Shoot on February 3, 2024, at Georgia Morse Middle School in Pierre, S.D.
In the 12- and 13-year old division, Sophie Hackett had to survive a shoot-out against her sister, Sydney. Each hit 18 of their 25 free throws, but Sophie went five-for-five in the tiebreaker for the win. Ava DeSloover took third place in the division, hitting 12 shots.
Tripp Lindekugel also had to survive a tiebreaker to win the 12-13 year-old boys’ division. Lindekugel and Jordan Howell each had 19 makes of their original 25 shots. Lindekugel became a back-to-back champion by hitting four-of-five free throws. Caleb Grove claimed third place in the oldest boys’ division outlasting Weston Terwilliger in a tiebreaker.
The 10-11 year-old girls’ division was won by Kenzie Clark, while Skylar Harter took second. On the boys’ side, Adler Bastian became the 10-11 year-old boys’ champ with 12 makes. Hudson Hackett survived to take second place after a tiebreaker with Coby Danburg, who finished in third.
For the youngest division, Tenley Lindekugel sunk 18-of-25 to handily win the girls’ competition. Izabelle Clark and Lilah Brunner took second and third place, respectively. Kayden Jordan was the 8-9 year-old boys’ champion with nine free-throws made. Noah Fowler finished second.
In total, 28 local kids participated in the free, annual free-throw contest. The lodge contest is the first step in advancing to the April national championships in Chicago. The winners of the South Dakota state contest on February 3 will compete at the regionals in Rapid City in March against the Montana and North Dakota state winners.
The Hoop Shoot is a signature kids program sponsored by the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks, which is a 141-year old, national fraternal organization. For more information about the Hoop Shoot or Elks Lodge #1953, please visit elks.org.
