Getting their shot

POLSON - Twenty-five kids spent their Sunday afternoon behind a

free throw line in the Polson Middle School gym, participating in

the Knights of Columbus Free Throw Championship. The winners of the

council competitions will be back for districts on Feb. 19, which

will again be held in the Polson Middle School gym, drawing in

shooters from Kalispell and Bigfork.

POLSON - Twenty-five kids spent their Sunday afternoon behind a free throw line in the Polson Middle School gym, participating in the Knights of Columbus Free Throw Championship. The winners of the council competitions will be back for districts on Feb. 19, which will again be held in the Polson Middle School gym, drawing in shooters from Kalispell and Bigfork.

And chances are, Polson should have a few kids stand out above the rest.

"The past three years we've had a state champion each year," event organizer Nathan Buffington said. "Brady Hislop was our state champion in 2009, Jacob Harrod in 2010 and my son Ethan Buffington was our state champion last year."

Shooters Casey Gieber, Wit Sampson, Jacob Harrod, Ethan Buffington and Trey Kelley hit the most free throws in the event, all going 11 for 15 from the line this year. They'll be able to participate in the district championship, but more than anything it was a fun afternoon for area youth.

"The first year I organized this event, not many kids knew about it," Buffington said. "Now I think kids and their parents are recognizing that it's a fun event with the chance to compete against other kids and even win some prizes. Plus, it's free for anyone who wants to shoot from the Mission Valley."

The event, held by the Knights of Columbus, gets easier to organize as the years go on.

"The first year I did this was the toughest just because everything was new," Buffington said. "Now it's not so bad because I know what to expect. The Knights of Columbus are a great group of guys who are always willing to pitch in and help, whether it be a little old lady who needs her walk shoveled or a community event like the hoop shoot. I usually get about six-to-eigth guys to help out every year."

Kids from the ages of 8 to 14 compete in the event, with seven winners being named:

K. of. C Free throw championship

14-year-olds - Wit Sampson

13-year-olds - Jacob Harrod

12-year-olds - Haden Smith

11-year-olds - Ethan Buffington

10-year-olds - Madison Peterson; Trey Kelley

8-year-olds - Jeff Devlin

They'll move on to the district championships, which will again be held in the Polson Middle School gym on Feb. 19 at 1 p.m.