Local Boy Represents California in Hoop Shoot Regional

Redlands native Luke Mathis, 9, has made his parents, city, and state proud after his recent participation in the Hoop Shoot Western Regionals in late Feb. in Las Vegas, NV. The basketball savvy 9-year-old shot his way to second place, just one shot behind the regional champion who made 22 baskets out of 25. Hoop Shoot is the longest youth free throw competition in the nation, according to Tony Lemos, Hoop Shoot Director for the Redlands Elks Lodge # 583. The competition is sponsored by the Elks National Foundation, Inc. The contest, which includes boys and girls ages 8-13, begins at the local level and ends at the national finals which are held in Springfield, MA. Lemos adds that Mathis won the state Championship by making 23 out of 25 baskets. Mathis learned of the competition after his father spoke with Lemos at the YMCA in Redlands. This is Mathis’ second year competing. “Luke is a hard working young man, who practices everyday at the Redlands YMCA,” said coach Lemos. Mathis, who is a fourth grader at Judson and Brown Elementary, thinks the Hoop Shoot contest is just awesome. “It makes you work hard to be able to be the best,” adds Mathis. The young sharp shooter says he enjoys collecting NBA stickers as well as playing baseball and football when he isn’t playing basketball. Aside from the Hoop Shoot contest Mathis also plays in various basketball leagues and is a member of a basketball travel team in Yucaipa. “My dad always tells me “Hard work beats talent, when talent fails to work hard. I want to make sure I am working hard to make my basketball shots better.”