by Cori Hilsgen
news@thenewsleaders.com
Warmer weather seemed to bring a few more participants to the annual Knights of Columbus basketball free-throw championship Jan. 31. More than 20 children participated in the competition.
As participants registered and started to take their practice shots, the All Saints Academy upper-floor gym was filled with excited voices and bouncing balls as children waited to compete for trophies and parents took a seat in the rows of waiting chairs to watch the event.
Brother and sister Luke and Abby Tillotson have participated in previous competitions.
“It’s a good time,” Luke said. “It’s something fun to do in the winter.”
“Basketball is a true passion of mine and brought me back to compete again,” Abby said. “I love to play basketball.”
This was the second year Abraham Berg-Arnold participated in the contest.
“It’s fun and something to do,” Berg-Arnold said.
Seven winners, girls and boys ages 9 to 14, finished as champions at the local level, making them now eligible to compete at the district level. Participants in the event received certificates of participation, and winners in each age group also received trophies.
Winners who are eligible to compete at the district level include the following: Alexis Finken, 9; Khloee Nelson, 10; Will Thompson, 10; Abby Tillotson, 11; Andrew Moneypenny, 11; Tommy Smith, 12; and Luke Tillotson, 14.
Each participant was allowed three practice shots and then 15 free-throw attempts in the contest. Ties were determined by successive rounds of five free throws per participant until a winner emerged.
Knights of Columbus members Mark Berg-Arnold and Alan Glatzel organized and coordinated the contest. This is the 19th year Berg-Arnold has organized the event and awarded trophies.
He started organizing the contest when his oldest son was 10 years old. When he began, he said he would continue to try to do so as long as he has a child who is eligible to participate. His youngest son is now 8 years old.
The event is hosted by the Father Werner Council 7057 of the Knights of Columbus and is open to boys and girls between the ages of 9-14.
The district competition will be held Feb. 21 at ASA-St. Joseph. Participants at the district level make 25 free-throw attempts.
Youth who win at the district level held in February go on to compete at the regional and state levels.
Luke Tillotson, 14, practices a shot before the annual Knights of Columbus basketball free-throw championship Jan. 31.
Abby Tillotson, 11, prepares to take a practice shot before the annual Knights of Columbus basketball free-throw championship Jan. 31 in the ASA upper-level gym.
Participants at the 2016 annual Knights of Columbus basketball free-throw championship line up to practice before the contest Jan. 31 in the ASA upper level gym.
Winners of the 2016 annual Knights of Columbus basketball free-throw championship held Jan. 31 are the following (from left to right): Alexis Finken, 9; Will Thompson, 10; Khloee Nelson, 10; Andrew Moneypenny, 11; Abby Tillotson, 11; Tommy Smith, 12; and Luke Tillotson, 14. The district competition will also be held Feb. 21 at ASA.
