•November 17, 2021•

On December 4, the Charleston Elks #623 will host their annual National Hoop Shoot. The national contest, in its 50th year, is a free throw competition for ages 8-13 years old. Three divisions each for girls and boys will shoot 25 free throws for the best score. Winners will advance to District in Champaign and possibly on to state, Iowa Regionals and the Chicago National Finals in April. Competing age groups are 8-9, 10-11,12-13, girls and boys each. Ages will be based on how old they are on April 1,2022. The Hoop Shoot will be held at Mattoon Middle School at 1200 S. 9th Street in Mattoon. The Charleston Elks area includes Oakland, Mattoon, Ashmore, Kansas, Casey, Greenup, Toledo, Sullivan, Windsor, Gays, Arcola, Tuscola, Newman and Hume. The event is free and any expenses past the local shoot will be covered by The Elks National Foundation. Registration will begin at 9 am with competition starting at 9:45 am. In 2019, over 250,000 girls and boys participated in the National Hoop Shoot. For more information contact Rod Franklin at 345-9668.