The Coquille Valley “Hoop Shoot” Championships was held at Coquille Valley Middle School on  Jan. 12.

Top basketball free throw shooters from schools in Bandon, Myrtle Point, Powers and Coquille competed for the right to advance to the Southern Oregon District Championships scheduled for Feb. 2, in Roseburg.

Trophies were awarded to the top three “Hoop Shooters” in each of the six age groups. First-place winners qualified to advance to the district competition.

The winners were Madison McNeely of Myrtle Crest School in Myrtle Point (8-9 girls), Austin Layton of Lincoln Elementary in Coquille (8-9 boys), Tasia Hyatt of Coquille School (10-11 girls), Derek Higson of Powers (10-11 boys), Marissa Dollarhyde of Myrtle Crest (12-13 girls) and Andrew Piburn of Coquille (12-13 boys).

The top three finishers in each age group are included in today’s CommunityScoreboard.

“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.

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.

The Bay Area finals for the Hoop Shoot will be held on Sunday at Marshfield High School.