West Haven—Nine-year-old Jayden Perry has the chance to compete at the Elks Hoop Shot National Free Throw Contest on April 18. The contest has been going on now for 44 years and is open to boys and girls between the ages of 8-13. Many famous sports legends have competed at the event including Trajan Langdon, who play for the Cleveland Cavaliers for three years, and Chris Mullin, who played for the Golden State Warriors and won two Olympic gold medals with the U.S.A. men’s basketball team. According to the Elks’ website, “Through the Elks National Hoop Shoot Free Throw Program, the Elks National Foundation offers youth the opportunity to engage in healthy competition, connect with their families and community, and succeed both on and off the court.” The contest is also the largest co-educational youth sports program in the nation.
So what all did Jayden have to do to make it this far? First, he had to compete at the local, district, and state levels before competing at the Western Regional Championships that were held on February 21. There, Jayden made 21 out 25 free throws in the 8-9 year old boys division, thus securing his spot for a chance to compete at the finals that will be held in Springfield, Massachusetts. Jayden will be one of 72 kids competing for a chance to win one of six national trophies as well as a chance to have his name added in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Jayden is also the only one from Utah to compete this year.
As with anything else in life, Jayden has worked long and hard to master his free throwing skills. In a letter sent to the Sentinel, Jayden’s parents, Joel and Tiffany, described how hard Jayden has practiced, which has included shooting 100 free throws 5-6 days per week. They also mentioned how Jayden is always trying to find time to practice, no matter how busy his week gets. As with any sport, Jaden as learned a lot of valuable lessons, such as sportsmanship. His parents also talked about how humble Jayden is when he wins, even mentioning how at “two on the competitions he didn’t even know he had won until we told him because he just gets up to the free throw line and does his thing.” Needless to say that everyone in the local community will be cheering for Jayden; not just with this contest, but also with all of his other future endeavors with basketball.
