RAPID CITY, S.D. – Montanans won four of the six age groups at the Northwest Central Elks Hoop Shoot Regional Saturday in Rapid City, S.D., qualifying them for the Hoop Shoot National Finals next month.
Big Timber native Bailey Finn is headed back to nationals after winning the Girls 12-13 group with 24 of 25 made free throws. Finn, the 2014 Girls 8-9 National Champion, was named Best of the Best as the top female shooter at the regional, regardless of age.
Finn finished fifth at nationals in the Girls 12-13 division in 2017, after making 22 of 25.
Bozeman’s Fischer Brown will also return to nationals after a perfect 25-25 performance to win the Boys 12-13 division at regionals. He was the only competitor in the field to make every free throw, earning the Best of the Best boys crown.
Brown finished sixth in the Boys 10-11 at nationals in 2017, making 21 of 25 free throws.
Bozeman’s Will Benne won the Boys 8-9 group Saturday with a 21-25 performance. Big Timber’s Kameryn Ketcham won the Girls 10-11 group, making 19-25.
The 72 Hoop Shoot National Finalists — the best free throw shooters from 12 Regions across the country — will compete to be Hoop Shoot National Champions on April 21 in Chicago.
