GORHAM, Maine — The New England Regional Elks “Hoop Shoot” Contest took place at Gorham Middle School, with Nick Perfitt, representing Houlton Lodge 835, placing third in the boys’ 12-13 year-old division.
Perfitt converted 21 of his 25 free throw attempts. Jacob Cady of Vermont and Justin Grenier of Rhode Island both made 23 to tie for first, with Cady winning in a shoot-off.
George Welch of New Hampshire, Zachary Dunnack of Connecticut and Michael Marshall of Massachusetts also competed in Perfitt’s division.
The first-place shooters earned the right to advance to the nationals, to be held April 10-13 at the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass.
Maine featured champions in two age divisions. Alexa Eaton, representing Brunswick Lodge 2043, won the girls’ 10-11 division, while Crystal Bell, representing Bangor Lodge 244, took first place in the girls’ 12-13 division.
The Elks “Hoop Shoot” Contest was established in 1970. Last year’s program included more than 3.3 million participants from across the nation.
