Free throw champions headed to state

  • Addison Head won the 12 year old girls free throw competition. She is shown with Jack Devine of the Knights of Columbus, sponsors of the event.
    Addison Head won the 12 year old girls free throw competition. She is shown with Jack Devine of the Knights of Columbus, sponsors of the event.
  • The 12 year old boys free throw winner, Garrison Ensley, is shown with Don Wirtz, left, and Bob Soph.
    The 12 year old boys free throw winner, Garrison Ensley, is shown with Don Wirtz, left, and Bob Soph.
  • Jack Devine and Gerald Renny are shown with Molly Prince, the 11-year-old girls free throw winner.
    Jack Devine and Gerald Renny are shown with Molly Prince, the 11-year-old girls free throw winner.

    Five girls and six boys from Fannin County and Polk County communities have earned the distinction of District Champions in the 2023 Knights of Columbus statewide Free Throw Championship.

    This contest is offered to children ranging in age from nine to fourteen years old. The competitions took place at the Copper Basin elementary and high schools January 18 and the Fannin County Recreation Complex January 25.

    The nine year old winners were Makenzie Akens of Copperhill and Zeke Payne from Murphy. Ten year old champs were Rayleigh Schuknecht of Epworth and Elijah Crowder from Blue Ridge. Molly Prince from Morganton and Blairsville’s Aidan Majors won it for the 11 year olds. Winners in the 12 year old bracket were Addison Head of Blue Ridge and Garrison Ensley from Cherry Log. The 13 year old champs were Kloie Ballew of Copperhill and Dawson Pittman of Turtletown. Cash Hamby, also from Turtletown was the 14 year old winner.

    Each competitor shot 15 free throws with the winner determined by number of total shots made.

    A total of 120 girls and boys participated in this annual competition, which is the highest number of contestants on record. These District Champs will now advance to the state finals to be held on March 25 at the All Saints Gymnasium in Dunwoody.

    The outstanding teamwork and cooperation from the Fannin County Recreation Department and the Copper Basin Elementary/High Schools are greatly appreciated by the Knights of Columbus, Council #12126.