BANGOR, Maine — The Maine Elks Association hosted the state championship round for the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Hoop Shoot foul shooting contest on Sunday, Jan. 27, at Bangor High School’s Red Barry Gymnasium.
Five local youth earned the right to compete at the state event after winning at three previous levels — the local school or recreation program’s foul shooting contest, the Presque Isle Elks Lodge 1954 competition at the University of Maine at Presque Isle Dec. 29 and the Northern District Elks’ foul shooting contest in Bangor Jan. 6.
Blayne Tardif, the 9-year-old daughter of Jaime and Rob Tardif of Mapleton, and Wesley LaPointe, the 13-year-old son of Traves LaPointe of Caribou and Odette Boucher of Presque Isle, both captured state championship honors in their respective age groups.
Tardif won in the 8-9 year-old girls division by making 23-of-25 attempts. LaPointe was the winner in the 12-13 year-old boys division. He also was successful in 23-of-25 attempts.
Tardif claimed the state title in the same age category last year, while LaPointe was the state runner-up in his division.
Both Tardif and LaPointe have earned the right to compete in the New England Region Hoop Shoot contest to be held March 23 at Deering High School in Portland. Winners in that contest advance to the National Hoop Shoot Finals, to be held in Chicago in April.
At Sunday’s state finals, Cruze Casavant, son of Nicolas and Jessica Casavant of Presque Isle, placed third in the 8-9 boys category. Brandon Porter, son of Matthew and Billie Porter of Mapleton, was the runner-up in the 10-11 boys division, while Jorja Maynard, daughter of Jonathan and Lyndsey Maynard of Presque Isle, was second in the 12-13 girls category.
