All area youth groups such as CYO, Biddy Basketball, church groups, as well any interested area boys and girls, between the ages of 8 and 13 are invited to participate in the 44th Annual Greater Nashua Elks "Hoop Shoot" Free Throw contest on Saturday morning, Dec. 3, in the Elm Street Middle School Gymnasium on Chestnut Street, starting sharply at 8 a.m.

There is no charge or fees to participate in the Elks Hoop Shoot Free Throw Program.

The competition is open to all interested boys and girls, between the ages of 8 and 13 from the Hudson, Litchfield, Nashua, Hollis, Brookline, Amherst, Milford, Wilton and Merrimack areas. A youngster’s age on April l, 2017, determines his/her age division.

There will be six age divisions, three for boys and three for girls each, 8-9, l0-11 and 12-13. Trophies will be presented to the top three boys and girls in each division.

Contestants will shoot five warm-ups, before shooting 25 free throws for score, and must wear basketball or tennis shoes to compete.

T-shirts, slacks or pants may be worn but basketball uniforms are preferred, but not necessary.

As each age category is completed, contestants may leave. The entire contest usually lasts about two hours enabling anyone to make any scheduled league games elsewhere.

Over 2 million youngsters competed last year in the Elks National "Hoop Shoot" Free Throw contest, starting with the Local level, District, State, Regional and National levels. Winners will have their names inscribed in the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass.

The Nashua Elks have sent 11 youngsters to the Elks National "Hoop Shoot" Finals Free Throw Championships.

They were: Steve Piwowarski, Missy Ayotte, Debra Killmon, Ellen Tipping, Ryan Robinson, Ryan Sullivan, Michael Panagoulias, Caleb Donnelly, Max Coleman, Tom O’Hearn of Hudson and Tilak Patel of Nashua

Elks Youth Chairman Al Savage (888-0064) is in charge of the local contest. Area winners will compete in the NH State Elks South District Free Throw contest in the Derry/Salem Boys and Girls Club Gym on Saturday, Jan. 7.