Meet Our 2013 Getty Powell Award Winners
Standing Tall
Kiera Holcer is proof that when it comes to sinking free throws, bigger doesn’t always mean better. Standing at 4' 7", 9-year-old Kiera is nearly two feet shorter than the average professional basketball player. But on the foul line, she exceeds averages set by even the tallest NBA giants. A free-throw-sinking superstar, Kiera, sponsored by Brookfield, Mo., Lodge No. 874, sank 82 percent of her free throws during the 2012-13 Hoop Shoot season. With stats like that, it’s no surprise that Kiera is a 2013 Elks Hoop Shoot National Champion and this year’s top-scorer in the Girls Division.
Her Journey
Becoming a Hoop Shoot National Champion wasn’t easy. Before advancing to the National Finals held on April 20 in Springfield, Mass., Kiera had to win local, district, state and regional Hoop Shoot contests.
“To prepare, I shot baskets from seven different spots on the gym floor,” explains Kiera who, in addition to participating in gymnastics and dance, perfected her shot between Hoop Shoot contests.
Kiera’s hard work paid off. At her local, state and regional contests, Kiera never sank fewer than 20 free throws. She broke her personal record at the National Finals, achieving a perfect score of 25 out of 25, and earning a permanent place on a plaque in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
“You just have to go out there, try your best and have fun,” says Kiera about her Hoop Shoot experience.
Ready for Reno
As the top-scoring girl at the National Finals contest, Kiera will receive the prestigious Getty Powell Award at the 2013 Elks National Convention in Reno, Nev. At convention, she will deliver a speech to those who supported her throughout the Hoop Shoot journey—the Elks.
“The Elks taught me to try my best and never give up,” explains Kiera. “It’s an honor to be a Hoop Shoot National Champion.”
Through the Elks National Hoop Shoot Free Throw Program, the Elks National Foundation offers youth the opportunity to engage in healthy competition, connect with their families and community, and succeed both on and off the court. In 2013-14, the ENF allocated $692,750 to fund this program. For more information on the Hoop Shoot, visit www.elks.org/hoopshoot.
Champion of Champions
There are three things you should know about 13-year-old Landon Carroll. One: He’s a triplet who loves his big family. Two: He prefers his steak cooked medium well, served with a cold glass of lemon-lime Gatorade. Three: He is unstoppable at the foul line.
Any Elk who watched Landon sink an incredible 25 out of 25 free throws during the 2013 Elks Hoop Shoot National Finals in Springfield, Mass., would agree—Landon Carroll earned his place as 2013 Hoop Shoot National Champion and this year’s Getty Powell Award winner in the Boys’ Division.
Early Beginnings
Sponsored by Jackson, Ohio, Lodge No. 466, Landon has competed in the Hoop Shoot annually since he was 8 years old.
“Landon has always excelled on the court,” says his father, Brett.
While he certainly makes sinking free throws look easy, Landon insists that advancing to the Hoop Shoot National Finals required a lot of practice.
“I practiced every day,” explains Landon. “After school, I would go to basketball practice and then stay late at the gym to shoot extra free throws with my dad.”
He doesn’t mean a few extra free throws. To prepare for the National Finals, Landon shot hundreds of free throws each week. His dedication helped him achieve an impressive season free throw percentage of 86.
Fans Forever
Although he has aged out of future Elks Hoop Shoot contests, Landon and his family plan to stay involved with the program for years to come.
“We have been so impressed by the Hoop Shoot and the Elks,” says Brett. “We intend to spread the word about the program in our community and help our Lodge with future contests.”
As for Landon, he’ll spend his summer playing basketball with his brothers, eating steak with Gatorade, and preparing for his trip to the Elks National Convention in Reno, Nev., where he will accept the Getty Powell Award and address Elks from across the nation.
“This experience has been amazing,” says Landon. “It feels like a dream.”
Through the Elks National Hoop Shoot Free Throw Program, the Elks National Foundation offers youth the opportunity to engage in healthy competition, connect with their families and community, and succeed both on and off the court. In 2013-14, the ENF allocated $692,750 to fund this program. For more information on the Hoop Shoot, visit www.elks.org/hoopshoot.