Ethan and Makayla Long have a long drive ahead of them.
Thats because the Cortez siblings won their respective age divisions at the Elks Hoop Shoot, West Districts on Jan. 21, at Cortez Middle School. The Longs will take their strong free-throw shooting to the state competition in Salida on Feb. 25.
Ethan Long shot 16 of 25 at the free-throw line to win the 10-11 boys group, while younger sister Makayla Long knocked down 18 of 25 to claim first in the girls 8-9 division.
Other Cortez trophy winners were Quanah Casey, who placed second in the boys 12-13 age category. Hotchkiss Enoch Kropp torched the nets for 23 of 25 to win the boys high point award. Tyra Pinnecoose took second in the girls 10-11 group, shooting 9 of 25. Faith Baker of Durango won making 10 of 25 free pitches.
Other winners at CMS include, Dusty Long, of Delta, 8-9 boys (16 of 25); and, Mackenzie Wells, of Grand Junction, 12-13 girls (19 of 25, high point winner).
John Thomas Carver (8-9 boys) and Madison Archuleta (12-13 girls) were the other Cortez participants.
Cortez Elks Lodge No. 1789 and West District Hoop Shoot director, Mary Wadley, of the Delta Elks Lodge, sponsored the event.
The Elks Hoop Shoot is in its 40th year of national competition. More than 3 million boys and girls participate annually.
Regional competition is in Denver and the National Finals are in Springfield, Mass., at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.