K of C Free Throw Champs crowned

Twelve boys and girls from Phillips County, ages 9 to 14, were named local champions of the 2019 Knights of Columbus/Don Nevrivy Memorial Free Throw championship on Monday, February 25, and have earned the right to compete at the district level.

“Don Nevrivy was chairman of this event up until his passing in 2017,” said Michael Fred Ereaux who is an event coordinator. “It is very easy to carry forward this competition because of his hard work and dedication to the area youth.”

Ereaux went on to say that there have been many state champions from the Phillips County area.

Malta Council 2124 sponsored the local competition at Malta. All youngsters ages 9 to 14 were eligible to participate.

Nine-year-old champions were Tailynn Wilke in the girls' bracket and Kazner Oxarart in the boys. Oxarart led all shooters going 24-of-25 in the district shoot. Wilke was 19-of-25.

Oxarart, who competed for his first year of eligibility, was asked about his performance.

“It felt pretty good,” Oxarart said.

He made the first 16 attempts in a row, missed attempt 17, and then made the remaining eight attempts. As he stepped to the line, Oxarart weighed whether he was going to have a good outing or not. He then made the first attempt. He made sure to keep shooting the same way he started.

“I just kept doing the same thing,” Oxarart said. “I was feeling good and positive.”

After the miss, Oxarart made a readjustment. He also explained his approach to the line.

“I was taking deep breaths,” Oxarart said. “I step up to the line, keep doing the same routine and focus on making them.”

Emree Stuart was the ten-year-old girls’ champion going 11-of-25 and TJ Siewing was the winner of the 10-year-old boys' division going 18-of-25.

In the eleven-year-olds’ bracket, Kylie Bishop was the girls’ champion going 17-of-25 and Dawson Hammond who went 14-of-25 was boys’ champion.

Twelve- year old winners in the girls’ and boys’ division were Shaylee DeCelles and Treyton Wilke. DeCelles went 14-of-25 from the line, while Wilke went 19-of-25.

The thirteen-year-old girls’ division was won by Sammi Gibbs who went 15-of-25 and the boys’ by Carson Ottinger who went 21-of-25.

Fourteen-year-old champions were Brylee French in the girls’ bracket and Jared Eggebrecht in the boys’. French knocked down 17-of-25 shots, while Eggebrecht went 22-of-25.

The local scores were sent on to the State Level where State Champions will be determined by comparing scores to other district winners throughout the state. State champions will be announced in April.

Ereaux went on to praise the efforts of our local youth.

“The youth have demonstrated their willingness to put in the practice time and this year's contestants are no different then from the past competitors,” Ereaux said. “The scores reflect not only the youths desire to excel but this also reflects on the adults that coach them. I am confident that there will be a KC State free throw champion or champions crowned in 2019 from this area. We appreciate all those who shot in this year's competition and the parents/coaches who supported them.”