Aspen Peak Elementary fifth grader Decci Inman made a little history at the free-throw line. The 11-year-old advanced to the National Championship of the Elks Hoop Shoot.
She won the local contest in Riverton, then again in Riverton in regional competition between contestants from Jackson and Lander.
That sent her to the state contest in Casper, where she won again.
Decci is the daughter of Kristan Davis and Curtis Inman.
Decci was busy in Casper that day, playing volleyball at the Wyoming Sport Ranch.
“We didn’t have any subs, so we hurried to the hoop shoot and back to the gym,” her mom, Kristan, said.
She advanced to a tri-state regional contest against state winners from Kansas, Nebraska and Colorado.
“I made 17 of 25,” Decci said. “Then a ref came over and said you and you.”
She was tied with the Nebraska state champion.
In the Elks Hoop Shoot, contestants shoot 10 free throws in the opening round, followed by 15 in the second. The aggregate determines placement. When it’s tied, as it was in Colorado Springs, a five-shot shootout takes place.
The Nebraska girl shot first, making two of five attempts.
“When I went to do my shots for the shootout, all I was thinking was I have to make two,” Decci said.
She hit her first two shots to tie again.
“I was relaxed after making the first two,” Decci said. “I missed the third, then made the fourth. My final shot went way wide to the right because I was in shock. I was going to Chicago. My legs were shaking.”
Decci started playing basketball with R-Rec and has played on a travel team coached by Brett and Jordan Hoover for the last two years.
Family friend Stacey Doerr was reading the brochure and said, “You’re going to take me to Chicago,” Decci said.
It’s been a while since a Riverton girl advanced to the national championship. Riverton and Stanford University standout Kristin Newlin qualified twice over three decades ago.
Decci leaves next Thursday for Chicago.
A fundraiser is scheduled for this Friday evening at the Riverton Elks Club.
“Wes, the state Elks Hoop Shoot representative, is making pork ribs at the fundraiser,” Kristan said. “The fundraiser helps with extra cost, brings the families and goes back into the program.”
Numbers have been down at the Elks Hoop Shoot recently.
“We hope this brings more to our community to get involved,” Kristan said.