Nine crowned District Free Throw Champions

  • The Knights of Columbus recently held their annual state wide Free-Throw Championship. Local winners who will advance state finals on February 29, are, from left, front, Kloie Ballew; middle, Hunter Holloway, Carder Lance, Peyton Grabowski, Alexis Hyatt and Bentlee Jackson; back, Knights of Columbus members Bob Soph, Kevin Fay, Don Wirtz and Jack Devine. Not pictured: Addelyn Barnes, Gino Sanabria and Hudson York.
    The Knights of Columbus recently held their annual state wide Free-Throw Championship. Local winners who will advance state finals on February 29, are, from left, front, Kloie Ballew; middle, Hunter Holloway, Carder Lance, Peyton Grabowski, Alexis Hyatt and Bentlee Jackson; back, Knights of Columbus members Bob Soph, Kevin Fay, Don Wirtz and Jack Devine. Not pictured: Addelyn Barnes, Gino Sanabria and Hudson York.

    Four girls and five boys from the Fannin County and Polk County communities have earned the distinction of district champions in the 2019/20 Knights of Columbus state-wide Free Throw Championship.

    This contest is offered to children ranging in age from nine to 14 years old. The competition took place at Copper Basin Elementary School on January 13, and the Fannin County Recreation Complex on January 16. 

    The nine year old winners were Addelyn Barnes from Morganton and Gino Sanabria of Blue Ridge. The 10 year old champs were Kloie Ballew of Copperhill and Bentlee Jackson of McCaysville. From Copperhill, 11 year old Peyton Grabowski finished first for the girls, with Hunter Holloway of Blue Ridge winning it for the boys. The 12 year old champions were Alexis Hyatt from Turtletown and Hudson York of Morganton. The 13 year old winner was Carder Lance from Blue Ridge.

    Each competitor shot 15 free throws, with the winners determined by number of shots made.

    A total of 47 boys and girls participated in this annual competition. These district winners will now advance to the state finals to be held on February 29, at All Saints Gymnasium in Dunwoody.

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