It’s time for Orange youngsters ages 9-14 to sharpen their basketball free-throw shooting skills! The Holy Infant Council of the Knights of Columbus #12523 is conducting its 14th annual Free Throw Contest on Saturday, January 20 at the Holy Infant School gymnasium, 450 Racebrook Road, Orange, from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m.
All Orange and Woodbridge residents ages 9 through 14 as of January 1, 2018, are invited to participate. Entry into this contest is non-denominational. Entrants may arrive at any time during the period the contest is in progress to take their free throws.
The Knights of Columbus Free Throw Championship is sponsored annually, with winners progressing through local, district, regional and state competitions. More than two dozen winners of the Holy Infant competition have gone on to the Regional contests, and there have been four state champions and eleven state finalists who came from Orange out of the local contest.
All contestants on January 20 will be recognized with a handsome certificate of participation. Contestants are requested to furnish written proof of their age, except that previous years’ participants need not provide proof of age again. A copy of the birth certificate is preferred.
Each contest participant will be given three “warm-up” free throws, then take fifteen consecutive free throw attempts. Nine through 11-year-old contestants may shoot only 12 feet from the basket if they wish; 12-14 year-olds will shoot from the standard 15 feet.
Girls 9-14 will use basketballs sized for women and girls. Otherwise, normal rules of basketball regarding free throws apply for all levels of competition.
The Knights of Columbus Holy Infant Council was established in Orange in 1999.
With more than 70 members, they sponsor projects to benefit their church, community, families and youth.
Originally posted on Jan 18 at 3:20 p.m.
