Trafford Cox places third in regional Elks Hoop Shoot

Trafford Cox of Polson holds his third-place trophy after competing against kids from Montana and North and South Dakota in the regional National Elks Hoop Shoot.

Trafford Cox of Polson takes his shot during the regional Elks Hoop Shoot, held in Rapid City, S.D.

| March 28, 2024 12:00 AM

Got grit? Young Trafford Cox of Polson does.

He participated in a national Elks tradition that’s more than 50 years old: The Elks Hoop Shoot. Sponsored by the Elks National Foundation, the annual event encourages boys and girls ages 8-13 to show off their competitive basketball skills.

Trafford was sponsored by Mission Valley Elks Lodge 1695, located on Main St. in Polson. The young hoop enthusiast finished at the top in two local shoots, which earned him a berth in the tri-state regional finals held recently in Rapid City, S.D.

At the tri-state event, he finished third against kids in his 10-11 age group from North Dakota, South Dakota and Montana.

Local Elks members congratulated the young athlete on “tremendous grit.”

Trafford Cox of Polson takes his shot during the regional Elks Hoop Shoot, held in Rapid City, S.D.