In her everyday life, former Hoop Shoot champ Adrianne McNally can't appear in three places at once. But when the high school senior from Pinckney, Mich., steps on the basketball court, her fans see triple. In one game, you'll find her playing point guard, center and forward. The Kensington Valley Conference declared Adrianne Player of the Year, and she's been recognized as Livingston County Female Athlete of the Year. Despite her accolades, Adrianne never forgot the Elks. She recalls how the Hoop Shoot helped shape her into the athlete she is today.

"The Hoop Shoot prepared me for athletics by teaching me discipline." Adrianne says. "It made me realize that if I wanted to be great at something, practice was a necessary tool for success."

Adrianne first heard about the Hoop Shoot in 1998 when she was in the fifth grade. An avid basketball player and fan even then, Adrianne decided to enter the local 10- to 11- year-old division, sponsored by the Howell, Mich., Lodge. Sinking 20 out of 25 shots, she beat her competitors and never looked back. From there she went on to clinch the district, state and regional competitions, before heading to Springfield for the national contest.

"The Hoop Shoot opened my eyes to every possibility around me," Adrianne says. "If I could make it to nationals at this age, it made me wonder what I could accomplish next. It gave me confidence and taught me that I can achieve anything I put my mind to."

Even though Adrianne didn't win top honors at the national contest, spending time with her family was better than a trophy. And, her score inspired her to work even harder.

"I would stay after school and shoot around or practice my dribbling skills," Adrianne says. "I would do anything to be the best."

Adrianne's perfected skills led her high school team to a 77-18 record over the course of her four-year career. The team won consecutive Southeast Michigan District titles, and Adrianne broke seven Pinckney High School records.

This fall, Adrianne will attend Florida Gulf Coast University on a full-ride athletic scholarship. As a triple threat on the Eagles basketball team, she'll continue playing the sport she's loved since childhood.

"If I could give advice to kids in the Hoop Shoot right now,, it would be to dream big," Adrianne says. "Have confidence in yourself and have fun. The Hoop Shoot is something few kids are able to experience in their lives, so enjoy every second of it!"

The Elks National Foundation granted $645,480 to the Elks Hoop Shoot Free Throw Program in 2005-06. Visit www.elks.org/hoopshoot for additional testimonials and program information. Want more information about the Elks National Foundation? Sign up for Pulse, our email newsletter, at www.elks.org/enf.