Hudson Miller, 11, takes a practice shot Saturday in the St. Mary Catholic School gym before the start of the Knights of Columbus Free Throw Contest. (Photo by Douglass Huxley)

MARIETTA — The annual Knights of Columbus free throw competition was held Saturday in the St. Mary Catholic School gym, giving local youth, ages 9 to 13, the chance to showcase their basketball skills and compete for a chance to advance to regional and state-level events.

“It’s a good way for the kids to have an opportunity to compete and be active,” Event Activities Director Vince Stollar said.

The competition follows a simple format; each participant takes 25 shots, with the best score determining the winner. Stollar said a sudden-death shootout of five shots each is held until a champion emerges in the event of a tie.

“And they’ll just keep doing that till somebody comes out the winner,” he said.

He said the event typically draws around 20-30 participants, with a mix of age groups and both boys and girls taking part. He said winners receive a medal as a prize, with the top performers advancing to the regional competition in Cambridge.

Chloe Choleva, right, listening to instructions before she begins the Knights of Columbus Free Throw Contest in the St. Mary Catholic School gym. This was 11-year-old Choleva’s first time at the competition. (Photo by Douglass Huxley)

“If they win at regionals, they will move on to the state competition,” Stollar said. “We had a couple last year go to the state competition.”

Participants and organizers alike see the event as an important way to keep local youth active and engaged during the winter months.

“It helps alleviate the winter blahs by providing physical activities and opportunities for those not on a basketball team to participate,” Stollar said.

He said the Knights of Columbus free throw competition has been a longstanding tradition in the Marietta community, saying it has been running for “decades.”

“I used to be in this competition when I was young,” Stollar said.

Chloe Choleva, 10, takes a practice shot Saturday in the St. Mary Catholic School gym before the start of the Knights of Columbus Free Throw Contest. (Photo by Douglass Huxley)

Winners from Saturday’s competition included: Chloe Choleva, nine-year-old girls, Stella O’Neill, 11-year old girls, Finley O’Neil, nine-year-old boys, Jack Warden, 10-year-old boys, Drew Heiss, 11-year-old boys, Carson Cunningham, 12-year-old boys and Matthew Cunningham, 13-year-old boys.

Douglass Huxley can be reached at dhuxley@newsandsentinel.com

Chloe Choleva, 10, takes the first of her 25 shots Saturday during the Knights of Columbus Free Throw Contest in the St. Mary Catholic School gym. This was Choleva’s first time at the competition. (Photo by Douglass Huxley)

Competitors in the Knights of Columbus Free Throw Contest take some practice shots in the St. Mary Catholic School gym before the competition began Saturday. (Photo by Douglass Huxley)