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Granado earns a trip to nationals
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| Thirteen-year old Chris Granado of Willcox is a dead-eye at the free-throw line and will parlay that talent into a trip to Springfield, Mass. (Carol Broeder/ARN) |
By Larry Torres/Elks U.S.A.
Las Vegas, Nev. - Having already tasted glory in local, district, and state competitions, Chris J. Granado captured another first-place finish on Saturday, Feb. 20, when he wowed the crowds at the Elks "Hoop Shoot" West Regional Championship. Chris, the 13-year old son of Blas Granado and Laura Granado, demonstrated accuracy from the penalty line well beyond his years and brought honors to his hometown of Willcox.
Representing Willcox Elks Lodge #2131, Chris, a student at Willcox Middle School, sank 23 out of 25 free throws in the 12-13-year old Boys division, making him a true standout in the field of more than 3 million boys and girls, ages 8-13, who have participated in the contest since last Fall.
Chris started with the Willcox Elks Hoop Shoot on Dec. 13, where he won and advanced to the Arizona Elks Association South District Elks Hoop, held Jan. 9 in Sahuarita. There, he made 20 of 25 shots from the free-throw line, winning this contest and moving on to the state contest in Apache Junction on Feb. 6. In Apache Junction, he made 23 of 25 shots to clinch the state title.
Chris will soon travel with his parents, courtesy of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, to Springfield, Mass. - the birthplace of basketball - to be among the 72 top youngsters vying for the chance to claim one of six national trophies awarded at the Elks "Hoop Shoot" National Free Throw Contest, on April 22-25.
A great showing in the national championship would not only earn Chris a place in Elks "Hoop Shoot" history, but also land his name on a plaque in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
Laura Granado said it has been lots of traveling, but "it has been worth it. I'm excited - we'll see what happens. Whatever the outcome, I'm really proud and I'm always really proud of him!"
The Elks would like for people to send wishes to the players at www.elks.org/hoopshoot/greetings.cfm to send a message. The last day to post messages is, Friday April 16.
Now in its 38th year, the Elks "Hoop Shoot" Free Throw Contest has seen more than 107 million participants since its inception, making it the largest co-educational youth sports program in the nation. Funded entirely by the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Elks "Hoop Shoot" Free Throw Contest has served as a testing ground for sports legends, Olympic medalists and numerous professional athletes.
The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks is a patriotic and philanthropic fraternal organization with nearly 1 million members in more than 2,100 communities.
For more information contact: Cam Cronk, Elks National Hoop Shoot Director PO Box 80906, Billings, MT. 59108, (406) 656-5818, or e-mail ccronk@ehoopshoot.org.
Ainslee Wittig contributed to this article.
Representing Willcox Elks Lodge #2131, Chris, a student at Willcox Middle School, sank 23 out of 25 free throws in the 12-13-year old Boys division, making him a true standout in the field of more than 3 million boys and girls, ages 8-13, who have participated in the contest since last Fall.
Chris started with the Willcox Elks Hoop Shoot on Dec. 13, where he won and advanced to the Arizona Elks Association South District Elks Hoop, held Jan. 9 in Sahuarita. There, he made 20 of 25 shots from the free-throw line, winning this contest and moving on to the state contest in Apache Junction on Feb. 6. In Apache Junction, he made 23 of 25 shots to clinch the state title.
Chris will soon travel with his parents, courtesy of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, to Springfield, Mass. - the birthplace of basketball - to be among the 72 top youngsters vying for the chance to claim one of six national trophies awarded at the Elks "Hoop Shoot" National Free Throw Contest, on April 22-25.
A great showing in the national championship would not only earn Chris a place in Elks "Hoop Shoot" history, but also land his name on a plaque in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
Laura Granado said it has been lots of traveling, but "it has been worth it. I'm excited - we'll see what happens. Whatever the outcome, I'm really proud and I'm always really proud of him!"
The Elks would like for people to send wishes to the players at www.elks.org/hoopshoot/greetings.cfm to send a message. The last day to post messages is, Friday April 16.
Now in its 38th year, the Elks "Hoop Shoot" Free Throw Contest has seen more than 107 million participants since its inception, making it the largest co-educational youth sports program in the nation. Funded entirely by the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Elks "Hoop Shoot" Free Throw Contest has served as a testing ground for sports legends, Olympic medalists and numerous professional athletes.
The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks is a patriotic and philanthropic fraternal organization with nearly 1 million members in more than 2,100 communities.
For more information contact: Cam Cronk, Elks National Hoop Shoot Director PO Box 80906, Billings, MT. 59108, (406) 656-5818, or e-mail ccronk@ehoopshoot.org.
Ainslee Wittig contributed to this article.
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