Gregory Hoop Shoot regionals runner-up

Van Wert Elks Hoop Shoot information

Cali Gregory took second place in the regional Elks Hoop Shoot contest at Angola (Indiana) High School for the 8-9 year old division.

Representing Van Wert Elks Lodge 1197 as Ohio Hoop Shoot champion, Gregory competed against the state champions from Michigan and Indiana to decide who would compete in the national championships in Massachusetts.

Gregory made 19 of 25 free throws during the regional play-off and defeated Annabelle Besonen of Trout Creek, Michigan, who made 18 shots, but lost to Regional Champion Lexis Drake from Fairbanks, Indiana, who made 22 of 25 free throws.

Gregory got off to a rough start by only making 4 of the first 10 free throws in the first round of shooting. The second round was a different story, as Cali sank all 15 shots in a row to finish in second place.

“In all of my 10 years of watching kids compete at the local and district level, I have never witnessed a shooter sink 15 in a row,” said Van Wert Elks Hoop Shoot Director Chuck Rollins. “That was an impressive display of shooting. It was too bad that Cali got off to a slow start in round one or she would have been much closer to the winning score.”

The Van Wert Elks is very proud of Gregory and her tremendous accomplishments.