Local youth compete in state free throw contest

Braxton Miller and Shay Heim of Kimball competed in the 2017 Knights of Columbus Free Throw Championships on Saturday, April 1.

Their journey began on Feb. 12 when each of the young men won their age bracket in the local contest. Miller and Heim then competed and won at the district level on Feb. 18. Miller, age nine, scored 21/25 free throws at the district level.

They followed up with wins at the regional contest in Alliance on March 18.

This year the state competition was held in Grand Island, where girls and boys, ages nine through 14, from eight regions across the state competed in six divisions.

Heim participated in the local event last year but this was his first year at the state level, where he competed well against seven others, making 19/25 free throws and missing second place by just one basket.

“I wasn’t really nervous, I was kind of excited,” Heim said. “I plan to go back next year.”

This was Miller’s first year at the state contest, though his brother has competed at the state level previously, and he competed in a bracket with seven opponents.

“I had a lot of fun at this year’s Knights of Columbus free throw shooting contest,” Miller said. “Most of the time I was not nervous, but when I started shooting sometime my nerves increased. The state competition was really fun and I hope to get back there next year.”