Shooting free throws is a common way for people to get better at basketball. Oftentimes friends will compete with each other to see who can make the most shots and that is what kids were doing at the Gleason Family YMCA.

Every year Knight of Columbus chapters across the country host a "hoop shoot," a free throw shooting competition for kids age 9 to 14.

The competition starts at the local level, sponsored by individual Knights of Columbus chapters and moves up to a district, regional, state and national competition where kids from around the country put their basketball skills to the test.

The competition is broken into groups based on age and gender at each level. This year's district competition was held at the YMCA Sunday, Feb. 16.

Kids from Wareham, Bourne and Rochester competed against each other to see who could knock down the most shots.

"It went well and the kids had a good time," said hoop shoot coordinator Brian Simmons.

Jesse Lopes of Bourne brought his son J.J. to the competition where he watched his win the 9-year-old division.

"It's awesome to watch him succeed and accomplish goals," said Jesse. "This helps build up his confidence."

J.J. is moving on to the regional competition in Plymouth along with Clayton Wiley of Rochester and Brandon Merkman of Bourne who won their respective divisions.