Fairfield Warde High School was the site of
the District Elks' Hoop Shoot Free Throw Contest on Sunday,
where the three local entries in their respective age groups
took top honors and a trip to the state finals to be held in
New Britain in February.
In the 8-9 age bracket, Alexander V. of St.
Thomas Aquinas school bested the other 8 town champions in
the district, which comprises all the coastal towns from
Greenwich to Branford, as well as Danbury and Derby. His 17
of 25 successful free throws topped Danbury's Connor C.
Stratfield School's Matthew B. shot a
sparkling 21 of 25 to tie last year's New England finalist,
Bridgeport's Sam N., forcing a 5 shot tiebreaker, which he
won with a 4 of 5 score to Sam's 3 of 5.
Shooting in the 12-13 segment, Ludlowe
Middle's Will L. emerged victorious, as he did in the local
Fairfield contest, sinking 19 of 25 earning him first place
outlasting West Haven's Jason F. by two shots.
All three will now represent Fairfield in
the state finals, where a victory will advance them to the
New England championships to be held in Portland, Maine in
March. In that contest, winners enter the national finals in
Springfield in April.
Fairfield's other two entries, 8-9 Marisa H.
and 12-13 Christiana C. of Redding also enter the winners'
circle with third place trophies.
The contest is held nationally each year
with more than three million youths taking part in local
contests. Fairfield, through the years, has had 4 reach the
coveted national stage, Cathy M., Dan P. J.D. F. and Matt D.
, all sponsored by the local Fairfield Elks Lodge.
