Three regional winners of the Elks Hoop Shoot for kids ages 8-13 were honored at the Navajo County Board of Supervisors meeting April 11, and each received a medal and accolades for their accomplishments.
The winners included Mylee Demuth of Holbrook, who competed in the girls’ 12 to 13 age group; Damon Attakai of Holbrook, who competed in the boys’ 12 to 13 age group; and Kenadi Stuart of Snowflake, who competed in the girls’ 8 to 9 age group.
The regional competition was held in Las Vegas last month and these kids went up against other competitors from Arizona, California, Nevada, Hawaii, Guam, Puerto Rico and the Philippines to earn their titles.
Arizona Elks Hoop Shoot Director Gregg Boyce said, “In the seven years of doing this we normally come back with no winners from the regional hoop shoot; this is the third time I’ve had winners.”
Out of the six age groups winners, four of the winners were from Arizona, including a boy from Avondale.
They went to Chicago to take part in the national competition last Saturday to compete against 72 other kids for six championship positions. For kids who win, their names are inscribed the National Basketball Hall of Fame for life.
Regardless of the outcome of the national competition, Boyce said these kids have already accomplished quite a feat, noting, “These kids beat out 2.8 million kids who shot in this program. That’s pretty impressive.”
