Wednesday, January 12, the Ravalli County Free Throw Contest returns after an absence due to COVID. The competition, sponsored by the Knights of Columbus, is open to all Bitterroot Valley youth ages 9-14.
Organizers have brought the contest back to the Hamilton Middle School gym on South 5th Street in Hamilton, where it has traditionally been held. The south entrance of the building (the lobby) is where children and parents can enter. By the way, parents must have signed registration forms before children can compete. The forms are in all valley schools, or you can sign them at the middle school on Wednesday, but arrive before the 6:30 pm start.
The rules are the same as in previous years. Each competitor will take three practice shots, then 15 free throws. The girls will compete against the girls and the boys against the boys.
Younger kids, ages 9, 10 and 11, will shoot from 12 feet instead of the usual 15-foot free-throw line. And only boys – 12, 13 and 14 years old – will use men’s regulation basketball. All other boys groups and girls groups will use a slightly smaller girls regulation basketball.
The winners in each category will receive a plaque and qualify for a district competition, which is being determined. (It could even be in Hamilton this year). By the way, the ages of the competition are determined according to the age of the child on January 1. Oh, and one last thing: pizza will be served to all competitors after the competition.
If you need more information, check with your local school for the proper documentation. Good luck to all the competitors.
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