Conner Haskel shooting free throws.
(L to r): Back Row: Exalted Ruler Pat Martino, Greg and Sylvia Haskel; Front Row: Conner and Carson Haskel.
Sylvia and Conner Haskel.
Mission Viejo / Saddleback Valley Elks Lodge No. 2444 (“Elks Lodge”) conducted its annual “Hoop Shoot Free Throw Contest” for boys and girls aged 8 to 13. The Elks Hoop Shoot® program strives to build character in our nation’s youth, while promoting integrity, hard work, quality family time and good sportsmanship.
Small in height but tall in stature, the kids brought their best shooting skills to the contest. Mission Viejo High School donated the use of its basketball courts. As parents Greg and Sylvia and his brother Carson watched, 11-year old Connor made a perfect 25 of 25 baskets from the regulation free throw line. The Elk volunteers working the annual event had not previously witnessed a perfect score of 25. Last year, Conner advanced as far as the Elks Regional competition. With the foregoing reported performance, Conner has a good chance to advance to the National competition.
Each winner of this local contest will now compete in the Elks Orange Coast District contest. Winners at district will advance to the state and regional championships. Regional champions travel to the basketball hall of fame in Springfield, Massachusetts for the national championships. National champions receive a US Bond and have their name entered on a board displayed in the basketball hall of fame.
Elks Lodge Exalted Ruler Pat Martino, who also serves as Elks Lodge and District Hoop Shoot Chairman, said, “Thanks to the parents for taking the time to bring their kids to this character building event. The rewards realized in managing and watching the competition is priceless. We wish Conner the best as he advances to the next level of competition.”
The Mission Viejo / Saddleback Elks Lodge No. 2444 celebrating forty (40) years of service to the Saddleback Valley communities is one of ten lodges in the Orange Coast District of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks (BPOE) whose headquarters is in Chicago, Illinois. The BPOE is a charitable organization with a 142 year history of giving, “Elks Care, Elks Share.”
