The local winners of the Jefferson Elks Hoop Shoot were recently announced. 

According to the organization, students from the Greene County and Paton-Churdan School Districts competed to see who would advance to the next round in the annual Hoop Shoot Contest. The organization says this event allows youth in different age divisions from 8-13 year olds to make the most free throws with a basketball out of 25 attempts.

The Jefferson Elks state that the eight-nine year old boys champion is Kyler Chesler from P-C and the girls winner is also from P-C, Claudia Towers. The 10-11 year old boys winner is Wesley Daubendiek from Greene County and the girls champion is Lexy Maldonaldo from P-C. As for the 12-13 year old boys champion, Keegan Minnihan from P-C will be advancing and the girls winner is Samantha Pedersen from Greene County. 

Additionally, Pedersen is the returning state champion in the Elks Hoop Shoot Contest from last year in the 10-11 year old division. Minnihan is also a returner from last year, when he earned second place at the state competition. 

Steve Smith with the Jefferson Elks says the winners will next compete at the district level, which will be held in Jefferson in mid-January. The full list of the first and second place finishers can be found below.

8-9 year old Boys 

Kyler Chesler (PC)

Cam Scheers (PC)

8-9 year old Girls 

Claudia Towers (PC)

Claire Larson (GC)

10-11 year old Boys 

Wesley Daubendiek (GC)

Hudson Schwander (GC)

10-11 year old Girls 

Lexy Rose Maldonalo (PC)

Anna Towers (PC)

12-13 year old Boys 

Keegan Minnihan (PC)

Dom Roberts (PC)

12-13 year old Girls 

Sam (Samantha) Pedersen (GC)

Emma Wilson (PC)