March 1, 2018

Hoop Shoot 2018 Highlights!

Check out the highlights from the Illinois Elks Association State 2018 Hoop Shoot!

From left, Natalie Swisher and Cassidy Swisher – both daughters of IEA Hoop Shoot Director Jim Swisher – and Jim’s brother and former IEA Hoop Shoot Director Bob Swisher, register shooters at the 2017-18 event.

From right, Terry Swisher, Darrell Swisher, Past State President Steve Harken and IEA Third Vice President Jeff Rodier greet Hoop Shooters as they arrive to complete registration.

IEA First Vice President Tom Deien registers one of the Hoop Shooters as IEA President Dave Jurmu and Treasurer George Hornung look on.

Sherry Harken gives a little moral support to husband and IEA Past State President Steve, right, and IEA Third Vice President Jeff Rodier during registration.

Chris and Nakayla Swisher, with daughter Rhiann, take in the atmosphere at registration.

Rae Marie Jurmu gets a kick out of overseeing the Hoop Shooters sign basketballs that will help commemorate the 2018-17 event.

IEA Second Vice President Greg Verdun, from left, and Past State Presidents Dennis Gerleman, Ralph Bradshaw and Steve Harken confer on Feb. 24, shortly before the opening of the 2017-18 IEA Hoop Shoot at Jefferson School in Decatur.

The competitors and IEA officials and helpers, before the start of the 2017-18 IEA Hoop Shoot.

Hoop Shoot competitors Maddie Gourley, representing Pontiac Lodge 1219, and Joshua Green, representing Oak Lawn 2254, run the gauntlet during their introduction at the IEA Hoop Shoot.

Hoop Shoot competitors Maddie Gourley, representing Pontiac Lodge 1219, and Joshua Green, representing Oak Lawn 2254, run the gauntlet during their introduction at the IEA Hoop Shoot.

Maddy Butler, representing Carbondale Lodge 1243 and the South District, was the top girl shooter at the 2017-18 IEA Hoop Shoot, sinking 22 of 25 shots and 5 for 5 in a shootoff in the 12-13 girls division. Past State President Ralph Bradshaw gave her the Jim Watson Trophy for being the top girl shooter.

Evan Cooper, representing Lincoln Lodge 914 and the West District, was the top boy shooter, making good on 23 of 25 shots in the boys 12-13 division. Past State President Paul Ronzani awarded Cooper the Joe Beaudoin Trophy for being the top boy shooter.

IEA President Dave Jurmu gets a memento from the 2017-18 IEA Hoop Shoot – a basketball signed by all the competing Hoop Shooters. He receives the ball from IEA Hoop Shoot Director Jim Swisher.

8-9 GIRLS DIVISION – Izzy Dalka, representing Belleville Lodge 481, was the winner (scoring 18 of 25), followed, from left, by Elly Buch of Murphysboro 572 (15 of 25) and Audrey Clvcas of Kewanee 724 (12 of 25). Also competing, front from left, are: Kailey Young of Paris 812, Rennah Barrett of Watseka 791 and Emma Jereb of Oglesby 2360. Unavailable for the competition was Melanie Moreno of Des Plaines 1526.

8-9 BOYS DIVISION – Scottie Adkinson, representing Marion Lodge 800 was the winner, shooting 21 of 25, followed, from left, by Carson James of Flora 1659 (18 and 7 of 10) and Kayvion Graham of Peoria 20 (18 and 6 of 10). Also competing, front from left, are: Carter Verdeyn of Effingham 1016, Justin Canvin of Oak Lawn 2254, Breydon Martin of DeKalb 765, Tirth Patel of DesPlaines 1526 and Parker Wells of Belleville 481.

10-11 GIRLS DIVISION – Ayva Rush, representing Johnson County 2880, was the winner, shooting 22 of 25, followed, from left, by Tori Geriets of Lincoln 914 (21 of 25) and Maddie Gourley of Pontiac 1219 (19 of 25). Also competing, front from left, are: Laila Cook of Jacksonville 682, Julia Holland of Galena 882, Ella Kinkelaor of Effingham 1016 and Kenidee Boldt of Mt. Vernon 819.Unavailable for the photo was Aaliyah Heredia of Brookfield 1510.

10-11 BOYS DIVISION – Technical difficulties prevented The Newsette from getting a photo of the winners and fellow competitors. Winning the division was Trent Sternberg, representing Murphysboro 572 (21 of 25) followed by Ethan Hicks of Pana 1261 (20 of 25 and 4 of 5) and Devin Horace of Oak Lawn 2254 (20 of 25 and 2 of 5). Also competing were: Jace Allensworth of Quincy 100, Nathan Oraha of Des Plaines 1526, Devyn Kessel of Dixon 779, Colby Redman of Olney 926 and Sean Reynolds of Galesburg 894.

12-13 GIRLS DIVISION – Maddy Butler, representing Carbondale 1243, was the winner, shooting 22 of 25 and 5 of 5, followed by Ellyn Martinez of Lincoln 914 (22 of 25 and 4 of 5) – she was unavailable for the photo – and Kate Littleton of Robinson 1188 (20 of 25 and 5 of 5). Also competing, front from left, are: Paiton Lareau of Watseka 1741, Emma Frymive of Fairfield 1631, Marisa Vickers of Oglesby 2360, Elise Brown of Jacksonville 682 and Claudia Kadzielawa of Des Plaines 1526.

12-13 BOYS DIVISION – Evan Cooper, representing Lincoln Lodge 914, was the winner with 23 of 25 shots made, followed, from left, by Colton Shoemaker of Salem 1678 (22 of 25), and Ethan Lindberg (21 of 24 and 5 of 5). Also competing, front from left, are: Wes Wilson of Mendota 1212, Jake Chandley of Herrin 1146, Trevon Littleton of Jacksonville 682 and Joshua Green of Oak Lawn 2254. Unavailable for the photo was Austin Whittenburg of Effingham 1016.

Banner welcomes competitors to the 2017-18 IEA Hoop Shoot headquartered at the Decatur Conference Center and Hotel on Feb. 23-25.

Hoop Shooter Joshua Green tosses a minature souvenier basketball at fellow competitors in the pool after the awards ceremony, under the watchful eye of Devin Horace.

As the boys were throwing miniature basketballs at each other in and around the pool, the girls were content to take in the action from the hot tub. The swimfest followed the awards ceremony capping the 2017-18 IEA Hoop Shoot.

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