Celebrating Six Young Champions: Elks Hoop Shoot at the Hall of Fame

Elks Hoop Shoot Champions Shine in Chicago

On April 26, 2025, the vibrant energy of youth basketball filled the Wintrust Arena in Chicago as 72 of the country's most promising young free-throw shooters gathered for the prestigious Elks Hoop Shoot National Finals. This event, a celebration of determination and skill, featured competitors from across the nation vying for the coveted title in six divisions—three age categories for both boys and girls. The stakes were high, but so was the spirit of camaraderie and sportsmanship that permeated the arena.

The event commenced with anticipation, as each contestant stepped up to the free-throw line, their aim not just to win but to soak in every moment of the experience. Out of 1,513 successful shots made throughout the competition, only six would emerge as champions, adding their names to the illustrious history of the Hoop Shoot. Each champion not only achieved personal glory but also represented their communities proudly.

In the 8-9 age group, Carrigan Price from Pennsylvania led the girls with an impressive score of 24 out of 25, winning on a tiebreak with a shoot-off score of 21 out of 25. Similarly, Paxton Plourd from Alabama showcased his talent by scoring a perfect 25 out of 25 in the boys' division.

For the 10-11 age group, Jacinta Patel from Illinois secured her title with a commendable 23 out of 25, while Cole Cavenee from Nebraska clinched victory in the boys' competition with 24 out of 25. The 12-13 division saw the spotlight on Grace Wilhelm from Alaska and Cooper Thompson from Oklahoma, who dazzled the crowd with their final scores of 23 out of 25 and a flawless shoot-off score of 25 out of 25, respectively.

All these young champions will soon find their names commemorated in the Elks Hoop Shoot exhibit at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts, forever immortalized among basketball legends. They will also receive an invitation to visit the Hall as honored guests of the Elks National Foundation, a gesture that recognizes their hard work and achievements.

The weekend of the finals was not solely about competition; it was also a time for participants to foster connections. Highlights included trading cards, attending a Chicago Cubs game, and bonding with fellow shooters, reinforcing the values of friendship and mutual respect.

The Elks National Foundation, which has supported the Hoop Shoot for over 50 years, prides itself on instilling life skills in youth through this program. As one past participant, Talmai-Aguirre Nickerson, reflected on her experience as a national finalist, she noted the invaluable lessons learned: “It teaches a lot of life experience, like having a good attitude.”

Through the highs and lows of competition, the kids shared smiles, encouragement, and support, not letting any placement overshadow their journey. For example, Nicole Dauphinee, whose son Jerry represented Maine, expressed her pride at how the Hoop Shoot fosters community spirit and provides children a platform to shine.

Ultimately, the Elks Hoop Shoot is about more than winning—it's about growing, learning, and building memories that will last a lifetime. With enthusiasm, the next tournament is set to commence in the fall, inviting more youth to take part in this incredible journey. To review the complete results and learn more about the upcoming events, interested parties can visit elks.org/hoopshoot.

The tradition continues as the Elks National Foundation looks forward to another exciting year filled with talent and promise, rooting for young athletes as they navigate their path to greatness.