Area hoopsters score big in K of C Free Throw

Ken Johnston
Editor

Since 1988 hundreds and perhaps thousands of area youngsters have had hoop dreams that started with the Knights of Columbus Free Throw competitions.
Every year students ages 10-14 across Northwestern Ontario have taken the time to shoot hoops in the competition. At the Council Level (first stage) the students throw 15 free throw shots. Their results are recorded by judges and scorers. The boys and girls age 10 and 11 use a women’s regulation basketball and throw from 12 feet away from a 10 feet high basket. Girls 12-14 use a women’s reg. basketball but through from the regulation foul line; 15 feet from the basket. Boys 12-14 use a men’s regulation basketball and also throw from the regulation foul line.
What’s unique about this competition is that the competitors need not gather in the same place to compete. Schools and in some cases community recreation facilities pick a date and time and the students take part in their own towns. The results are tabulated and sent into a central point. The top students advance to the District Level and eventually to the Regional and State Levels. However once out of the Council Level the number of free throws attempted is increased to 25.
This year the regionals saw almost all the winners come from the west end of the Rainy River District. Only one student from Fort Frances advanced, the rest were from McCrosson-Tovell School (4), Riverview (1), Crossroads (1), Our Lady of the Way (1) and Rainy River High School (2).
Advancing to the State Level for Robert Moore School of Fort Frances is 10 year old Paige Yatchuk. She scored 11/25 and had to throw two tie breaker rounds in which she scored 1/5 and 2/5 and won.
The other 10 year old was from Bergland (McCrosson-Tovell School). Jordan Hansen scored 20/25 and won two tie breakers 4/5 and 3/5.
Both the 11 year old winners were also from McCrosson-Tovell. Molly Bartlett scored 20/25 and won two tie breakers 4/5 and 4/5. Austin Hatch also advanced, however his scores were not available.
The 12 year old category was split between McCrosson-Tovell and Riverview School. Hillary Hansen of McCrosson scored 13/25 and won two tie breakers 3/25 and 2/25. Jeremy Thompson of Riverview scored 15/25 and won two tie breakers 3/5 and 3/5.
The 13 year old victors were from Crossroads School in Devlin and Our Lady of the Way School in Stratton. Michelle Beck of Crossroads scored 15/25 and won two tie breakers 2/5 and 4/5. Nigel Hunter of OLWS scored 15/25 and won two tie breakers 3/5 and 2/5.
In the oldest category, 14, both winners were from Rainy River High School. Jaime Vandenbrand scored 17/25 and won two tie breakers 3/5 and 3/5. Dustin Mowe also scored 17/25 and won two tie breakers 4/5 and 2/5.