After their performance in the St. Mary’s Church Annual Knights of Columbus Free Throw Competition, on Saturday, February 2, 2019, three boys and four girls took home first place medals for their accurate shooting, good form, and composure.
The Knights of Columbus have hosted Free Throw Competitions internationally since 1972, and “for over 30 years” in Morrison, reported one of the K of C organizers, Mark Zinnen.
There were only 11 entries of boys and girls, to fill 12 possible classes, with ages ranging from nine to 14. All took home a certificate of “Free Throw Shooting Excellence” and a Happy Joe’s ice cream token. They earned a chance in the drawings for two girls’ and two boys’ basketballs.
Left-to-right are Noah Robbins, 10; Chase Decker, 11; Payton Decker, 14; Megan Folkers, 10; Isabella “Bella” Duncan 11; Marissa Folkers, 13; Faith Green, 14.
The Junior High School gymnasium, 300 Academic Drive, Morrison, IL, was filled with chatter during registration and practice time, from noon to 12:30 p.m.
Once shooting began in earnest, the chamber stilled. Even applause was muted and short; verbal “encouragement” from the bleachers was restrained, until each child completed a turn. Boys and girls competed simultaneously, making 15 shots, with up-to-three practice shots to start the round. Two adults watched the balls’ trajectories; a third recorded the number of balls that were sunk.