Two local girls were lights out at the annual Knights of Columbus district free throw competition, as they fed the net for what would stand up to be the highest scores in their divisions in all of B.C. and the Yukon.
Taking first overall in their respective age groups were Olivia Williams, 10, a student at Arrowview Elementary School, and Makayla Hoey, 13, from Springwood Middle.
The popular competition, played out in gyms across B.C. every year for many years, included the Knight’s Dist. 2 (North Island) playdowns March 3 at Qualicum Beach Middle School in which 70 boys and girls aged 10-14 including students from Alberni Valley, took to the line.
In this fun competition each player shoots 25 consecutive shots — Olivia drained 20, and Makayla was good on 23 to win their respective age groups.
Besides winning their regional competition, the girls’ high scores also netted them the Knight’s State Award for all of B.C./Yukon.
Each girl gets a trophy and a keepsake basketball, which Olivia was presented at a special school ceremony at Arrowview Elementary June 26. Hoey, who was away at a sports camp in the U.S., will be presented her hardware at a later date.
“They were excellent,” Morrison, in his third year volunteering with the program, said of the girls’ efforts. “They really excelled at their shooting, especially for their age. It shows great athletic ability to shoot that good.”