Champions Crowned at Montana Elks “Hoop Shoot” State Competition

February 14, 2026 — Six young athletes were crowned champions Saturday at the Montana Elks State “Hoop Shoot”® Free Throw Contest, held at Park High School in Livingston.

Three girls and three boys, ages 8–13, claimed state titles after earning their way through multiple levels of competition. First, second, and third-place trophies were awarded in each of three age divisions: 8–9, 10–11, and 12–13.

The 30 state finalists began their journey in the fall of 2025, competing in local lodge contests hosted by Montana Elks lodges across the state. Winners advanced to district competitions, where they were named District Champions and earned the opportunity to compete at the state level in Livingston.

Road to Regionals

The six Montana State Champions will now represent the state at the Regional Semi-Finals in Rapid City, South Dakota, on Saturday, March 7, 2026. There, they will compete against champions from North Dakota and South Dakota.

Regional winners will advance to the National Finals in Chicago on April 18, 2026. National champions will have their names digitally inscribed at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts.

A National Tradition

The Elks “Hoop Shoot”®, organized by the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, began in 1946 as a local program in Corvallis, Oregon. Now in its 54th year of national competition, the contest has grown into one of the largest and most respected youth free throw competitions in the country, with more than one million boys and girls expected to participate annually.

The program is endorsed by hundreds of school systems nationwide and is funded through the Elks National Foundation, along with support from local lodges and state associations. Travel and lodging expenses for contestants and their parents are covered by the Elks.