Sharp-shooters display talents on the court
Approximately 40 kids come out for free throw event in Bible Hill
VALLEY, N.S. — Lily Cormier knows a thing or two about balancing acts.
The soft-spoken eighth-grader can twirl a basketball on her fingertip, a skill that demands lots of practice and intense concentration.
She was just about the only child who could pull it off, out of the 40 or so youth who attended the Knights of Columbus Basketball Free Throw Contest at Redcliff Middle School Saturday.
“We’d like to see more kids participate,” said organizer Len Limpert. “I can’t tell you why for sure, but kids are apparently less active than in the past. We used to have 75 or so kids here. We’d definitely like to see the numbers increase.”
Limpert said that the annual event is open to the whole community.
There are 250,000 youths, age eight to 14, who play every year in countries where the Knights of Columbus has a presence, including Canada, the United States, Mexico, Poland and the Philippines.
“I know it’s great to see kids active in healthy exercise,” said Limpert. “My son was in hockey and my daughter was in basketball, but they were not involved in this.”
Back on the basketball court, Cormier continued practising her ball spins as well as her shooting skills.
The Colchester Christian Academy student appreciated a chance to play basketball, as her school team recently wound up their season.
“I’ve come here every year that I was able to,” she said.
Top shooter for the day was Landon Keats, who hit 14 of 15 shots, or 93 per cent.
Truro Elementary School had the best representation of students and will display the Best Participation plaque for the next year.
The winners of each age group will represent Truro and Colchester County at the provincial championships in April.
DIVISION CHAMPIONS:
Thomas Butt, Jack Gulliver, Cassie Ann Deveau, Kaden Cormier, Jai Sylliboy, Carter Myatt, Sarah Caldwell, Landon Keats, Audrey Baker, Mason Mcneil, Mia Mclean and Emma Ross.
SILVER MEDAL WINNERS:
Eric Macphee, Amirah Sayegh, Parker Vissers, Christopher Decoste, Shaylee Yorke, Cadin Skinner, Kassidy Anderson, Tyler Lohnes-mcnutt and Lily Cormier.
BRONZE MEDAL WINNERS:
Javell Thompson, Brogan Macdonald, Dallas Roode, Jonah Whitehead, Emma Brown, Jhevon Paris and Reem Sayegh.