From the Free-Throw Line to Basketball History Elks Club Annual Hoop Shoot

From the Free-Throw Line to Basketball History

Elks Club Annual Hoop Shoot

Tim Holmes

The Ashland Beacon

Since 1972, the Ashland Elks Lodge #350 has invited area youth to step up to the free-throw line and take part in a tradition that blends sportsmanship, confidence, and community pride. Their annual “Hoop Shoot,” run by the Elks National Foundation, is a long-standing free-throw competition for boys and girls ages 8 to 13. What begins as a local event can ultimately lead to the National Finals in Chicago, making the Hoop Shoot a dream opportunity for young basketball fans.

The Hoop Shoot is more than a single-day contest. It is a multi-level competition that includes local, district, state, and regional rounds, all leading to the national championship. The ultimate champion earns not only bragging rights, but also the honor of having their name placed in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts. For many participants, the experience itself is just as meaningful as the potential destination.

The Ashland Elks Lodge #350 is deeply invested in fostering a healthy present and future for the children of the area. “We are here to serve and be a friend to the community,” said Jack Brown, Past Exalted Ruler and chairman of the Hoop Shoot. Brown explained that the Elks’ dedication to youth extends well beyond the basketball court.

“During Christmas, the Elks sponsor a Children’s Christmas Party that invites the Ashland, Boyd County, and Fairview school systems to the club for food, candy, and gifts for nearly 250 children who may not receive much of a Christmas otherwise,” Brown said. He also noted that, through the wise use of a grant, the Elks provide four to five books for each Head Start child in the area during the holiday season.

Secretary Bill Nolte added that community outreach continues throughout the year. “During Halloween, you can find the Elks in Central Park giving out candy and gifts as part of their Drug Awareness efforts,” Nolte said. “But of all the many events sponsored by the Elks Club, the Hoop Shoot is easily the largest and most visible event of the year.”

One of the most appealing aspects of the Hoop Shoot is that it is completely free for participants. Brown and Nolte shared that the Elks also commonly sponsor travel expenses for competitors who advance to higher levels of competition. “Ashland has represented well over the years, with one participant even going all the way to the Chicago finals,” Nolte added.

This year’s local competition will take place on Sunday, January 4, 2026, at the Paul Blazer High School Gymnasium. Registration begins at 1:30 p.m., with competition starting at 2 p.m. Millions of youngsters across the nation participate in the Hoop Shoot each year, competing in age and gender divisions for boys and girls ages 8–9, 10–11, and 12–13.

Winners from the Ashland competition will advance to the District Hoop Shoot, which includes all lodges in Eastern Kentucky. From there, winners move on to the state level, where champions from Eastern and Western Kentucky compete. State winners advance to a regional event involving several other states, and regional champions earn a trip to Chicago for the national finals, where they receive a trophy and have their name added to the Hall of Fame.

For more information, contact Secretary Bill Nolte of the Ashland Elks Lodge #350 at 606.324.5720.