Kids faced off against each other in a basketball competition at the YMCA on Sunday, Jan. 12, but instead of the usual back and forth action of the game, each player took time to concentrate on their shot to win the annual Knights of Columbus Free Throw Championship. 

Since 1972, the Knights of Columbus have sponsored the event that allows kids aged 9 to 14 to compete against their peers to see who can make the most free throws out of a certain number of attempts. 

Competition begins at the council level, and then advances to the district, regional, and state levels of play. At the council level, players are given 15 attempts at the hoop, while players get 25 shots in the later stages of the competition. 

Since the other councils in Wareham’s district didn’t compete this year, athletes at the Gleason Family YMCA competed in both the council, and district levels on Jan. 12. 

Cameron Wilson won the 9-year-old division. Caden Gonsalves, Maliakhi Tavares, Vincent Reace, and Jonathan Rose won the 10, 11, 12, and 13-year-old divisions respectively. 

The winners will advance to the regional level on March 7 in Kingston. 

When asked about what they focus on to make free throws, players had a few key things to keep in mind. 

While some placed an emphasis on the arc of their shot, or the bend in their knees, others had a simpler strategy.

“Just keep your eye on the hoop, and concentrate.” said Tavares.