Players from area youth groups such as CYO, Biddy Basketball, church groups, as well as any interested area boys and girls between the ages of 8 and 13 are eligible to participate in the 44th annual Greater Nashua Elks Hoop Shoot Free Throw contest on Saturday, Dec. 3 at 8 a.m. in the Elm Street Middle School Gymnasium on Chestnut Street.

There is no charge to participate.

The competition is open to all interested boys and girls ages 8-13 from Hudson, Litchfield, Nashua, Hollis, Brookline, Amherst, Milford, Wilton and Merrimack.

A child’s age on April 1, 2017, determines his/her age division. There are three age divisions each for boys and girls: 8-9, 10-11 and 12-13.

Trophies will be presented to the top three boys and girls in each age division.

Contestants will shoot five warm-ups before shooting 25 free throws for a score. They must wear basketball or tennis shoes. While T-shirts, slacks or pants are permitted, basketball uniforms are preferred, but not necessary.

As each age category is completed, contestants may leave. The entire contest usually lasts about two hours, which should enable many to attend any scheduled league games elsewhere.

Nationally, over two million youths competed in the Hoop Shoot contest, which goes from local to state, then regional and national levels.

The national winners will have their names inscribed in the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass.

The Nashua Elks have sent 11 youths to the National Hoop Shoot Finals: Steve Piwowarski, Missy Ayotte, Debra Killmon, Ellen Tipping, Ryan Robinson, Ryan Sullivan, Michael Panagoulias, Caleb Donnelly, Max Coleman, Tom O’Hearn and Tilak Patel.

Local winners will then move on to compete in the Elks South District Free Throw Contest at the Derry/Salem Boys and Girls Club on Saturday, Jan. 7.

For more information, contact Elks Youth Chairman Al Savage at 888-0064.

FUNDRAISERS

Nashua Crusaders seeking donations

The Nashua Elks Crusaders, a nonprofit youth football and cheer organization, is seeking help from the community in purchasing new equipment and uniforms.

Donations can be made to Nashua Crusaders P.O. Box 7248 Nashua, NH, 03063.

Also, for more information on sponsorship opportunities, email necpresident15@gmail.com ordeniserosher@comcast.net.

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