Luke Mathis Shoots and Scores, Wins State Title

REDLANDS>> Luke Mathis, 12–year-old Redlands resident, competed in Elks Hoop Shoot Saturday, Feb. 4 in Torrance, California where he won the state title for the fourth year in a row. Mathis will now move on to the regional contest held in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, Feb. 25. The Elks Hoop Shoot is a free throw shooting contest for youth ages 8-13 years old in which contestants shoot 25 free throws and the highest percentage wins. Mathis has been the Elks Hoop Shoot State Champion for the last three years and was also fifth in the nation 2 years ago. The Elks Hoop Shoot Contests consists of five contests that begin at a local level and continue to a district contest, state contest, regional contest and then nationals. At the regional contest, Mathis will compete against state champions from Arizona, Nevada and Utah for an opportunity to compete at nationals held in Chicago. "Winning state this year was not easy as the field was loaded with great shooters from all over California," said Marvin Mathis, Luke's father. "Luke tied with another shooter for high score and had to go to a tiebreaker. They were both perfect in first tiebreaker and had to go to another tiebreaker. Once again Luke was perfect as his competitor missed one shoot." Marvin said Luke is excited to go back to the regional competition and is going to do his best to go to the next round. Mathis began playing basketball when he was 5 years old and has participated in the Elks Hoop Shoot since he was 8. Luke, a 7th grader at Moore Middle School, maintains a 3.94 GPA and plays AAU Travel Basketball out of Rancho Cucamonga for the RC Bulls. “I am proud of his hard work and dedication that he puts toward it,” Marvin said in a previous article. “It’s going to help build good character.”