Hager Student Competes in Elks Hoops Shoot Nationals
Kathy Clayton
Ashland Beacon
When Hager fifth-grader Carson Enochs first signed up to participate in the Ashland Elks Hoops Shoot competition, he never imagined he’d end up competing at the national level. But after winning at the state level, then the regional level, he and his family traveled to Chicago the weekend of April 21 to participate at the highest level.
The journey to nationals in Chicago has been short but sweet. “I saw it advertised in the paper, and took it to their house and dropped it in front of them,” said grandmother Mimi (Cathy Crooks Galloway). The local competition was held in Ashland on December 18.
After winning locally, he traveled to Harrison County where he competed in a district competition to win the Kentucky championship at Harrison County High School. That win, over four other district winners from Kentucky, led him to the regional competition in Paducah, where he competed against state winners from Arkansas, Tennessee and Missouri on March 11.
“I was surprised I won,” Carson said. An avid soccer player, he was watching the World Cup match on the day of his Ashland competition, not really expecting to win. He credits his dad with helping coach him.
“He started playing basketball through the Upward program at church, then through Hager Elementary,” said dad Charlie Enochs. “We’re excited for him. They’ll shoot where the WNBA’s Sky plays. The kids also get 200 playing cards, to trade with the other shooters.”
Charlie said the Elks have been good to the participants. Travel to Chicago was covered by the organization, and they were treated to a trip to Soldier Field, home of the Chicago Bears, for a family day and dinner. The family – Carson, his dad, mom Brooke and sister Blake also managed to visit Wrigley Field for a Cubs game.
The Elks Hoops Shoot began informally in 1946, emphasizing grit or determination. It is a free-throw shooting competition. At nationals, participants begin with a round of 10 consecutive shots per player, followed by each player shooting 15 attempts. Competition continues until there are no ties.
Saturday’s competition was held at Wintrust Arena, home court of the Depaul Blue Demons and the WNBA’s Sky, with winners from 11 other regions competing for the title. The overall national champion will get their name and picture included in a digital exhibit at the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts.
Carson’s dad said the youngster had been practicing with Laura Terry and practiced at Ashland Middle School over spring break. “Next year, they’ll play with a bigger ball in middle school,” Charlie said.
Charlie also said that Carson is involved in other school activities, including the STLP, Student Technology Leadership Program. He gave a speech for the STLP competition earlier this week, where he talked about his achievement in the Hoops Shoot event, comparing his experience to March Madness, and expressing his goals for the future.
“In the 2008 NCAA men’s basketball tournament, Ty Rogers hit a buzzer-beater for Western Kentucky University to upset Drake in overtime,” he said in his speech. “WKU was the 12-seed underdog. I’m telling you this because I have something in common with Ty. We are both Elks Hoop Shoot champions.”
“Over the last several months, I have won the local, district, state and regional Elks Hoop Shoot. This coming Saturday, I will compete for a national championship against 11 other shooters from all over the USA in Chicago, Illinois – kind of like my own March Madness. My dream is to bust some brackets in the NCAA tournament one day.”
Carson finished the national competition tied for 7th place of out the 12 shooters. Carson’s dad, Charlie remarked, “He did great, and we are very proud of him. He did a great job representing Ashland, KY.” His parents and Mimi, along with grandparents Rick and Teresa Enochs of Ashland, certainly are proud of all Carson’s success.
