At least one student from each of the four school districts in the Coquille Valley qualified for the Southern Oregon District Championships in the annual Elks Hoop Shot contest at Coquille High School.

Students from Coquille, Myrtle Point, Bandon and Powers participated in the event, hosted by the Coquille Valley Elks Lodge. Each had earlier qualified with their efforts in their local schools.

The district competition is Feb. 4 in Roseburg.

The girls champions in the Jan. 7 finals at Coquille were Mara Nolan of Ocean Crest School in Bandon for the 8-9 age group, Taylor Gederos of Coquille Valley Intermediate School in the 10-11 division, and Shelby Woods of Coquille Valley Middle School in the 12-13 age group.

The boys champions were Derek Higson of Powers Elementary School in the 8-9 age group, Hayden Davisson of Myrtle Crest School in the 10-11 division and Colby Gederos of Coquille Valley Middle School in the 12-13 age group.

The annual Hoop Shoot is a national basketball free throw contest sponsored by the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks.

The local contest is organized and funded by the Elks' Coquille Valley Lodge No. 1935.

Eight district contests and the Oregon State Championships are sponsored by the Oregon State Elks Association. State winners advance to Northwest Regionals, then the National Championship contest, all sponsored by the Elks National Foundation. Over 3 million students are expected to participate nationally in the Elks Hoop Shoot contests.

Trophies were awarded to the top three shooters in each age group. Those athletes are listed below.

8-9 girls: 1. Mara Nolan, Ocean Crest School; 2. Maddy Shirley, Powers Elementary; 3. Cherise Kirkpatrick, Myrtle Crest School.

8-9 boys: 1. Derek Higson, Powers Elementary; 2. Devin MacKensen, Powers Elementary; 3. Coleton Jackson, Ocean Crest School.

10-11 girls: 1. Taylor Gederos, Coquille Valley Intermediate School; 2. Brittney Wilson, Coquille Valley Intermediate School; 3. Haley Allen, Myrtle Crest School.

10-11 boys: 1.Hayden Davisson, Myrtle Crest School; 2. Mark Owings, Powers Elementary; 3. Taylor Fischer, Myrtle Crest School.

12-13 girls: 1. Shelby Woods, Coquille Valley Middle School; 2. Shelby Jones, Coquille Valley Middle School; 3. Courtney Davis, Coquille Valley Middle School.

12-13 boys: 1. Colby Gederos, Coquille Valley Middle School; 2. David Dill, Coquille Valley Middle School; 3. Taylor Love, Myrtle Crest School.