by Cori Hilsgen
news@thenewsleaders.com
Cold weather and blowing winds didn’t keep area youth away from the annual Knights of Columbus Basketball Free-Throw championship Jan. 26.
The All Saints Academy third-floor gym was filled with bouncing balls and eager boys and girls waiting for their chance to compete for trophies at the local level. Eight children, ages 9 to 14, were named local champions and are now eligible to compete at the district level.
The winners who are eligible to participate at the district level include: Teresa Ethen – 9-year- old girls and Andrew Moneypenny – 9-year-old boys; Reese Moneypenny – 10-year-old boys; Eli Ebel – 11-year-old boys; Rachael Terhaar – 12-year-old girls and Sam Schneider – 12-year-old boys; and Corrie Ethen – 14-year-old girls and Jon Ethen -14-year-old boys.
Knights of Columbus member Mark Berg-Arnold organized the event and awarded certificates and trophies. He said participants are allowed three practice shots and then shoot 15 free-throw attempts in the contests. Ties are determined by successive rounds of five free throws per participant until a winner emerges. At the district level, participants will make 25 free-throw attempts.
Some of these youth, such as Jon Ethen, have been competing for several years. This is his fourth year in the event, which is hosted by the Father Werner Council 7057 of the Knights of Columbus. It’s open to boys and girls between the ages of 9 and 14. These youth compete at the local level in hopes of advancing to the district level held in February. If they win at the district level, they go on to compete at the regional and state levels held in March.
Corrie Ethen prepares to shoot the ball during the 2014 Knights of Columbus Free-throw Championship held Jan. 26 at the All Saints Academy gym.
Organizer Mark Berg-Arnold passes out certificates of participation and trophies to participants of the 2014 Free-throw Championship.
Mark Berg-Arnold presents Rachael Terhaar with a trophy. Terhaar was the winner of the 12-year-old girls division.
Winners of the 2014 Knights of Columbus Free-throw Championship held Jan. 26 include (left to right) Teresa Ethen, 9; Andrew Moneypenny, 9; Reese Moneypenny, 10; Eli Ebel, 11; Sam Schneider, 12; Rachael Terhaar, 12; Corrie Ethen, 14; and Jon Ethen, 14.
Winners of the 2014 Knights of Columbus Free-throw Championship held Jan 26 included (left to right) Teresa Ethen, 9; Andrew Moneypenny, 9; Reese Moneypenny, 10; Eli Ebel, 11; Sam Schneider, 12; Rachael Terhaar, 12; Corrie Ethen, 14; Jon Ethen, 14; and Mark Berg-Arnold, Grand Knight and organizer of the event.
