Palmer teen wins national free-throw competition
PALMER, Alaska (KTUU) - An Alaska teenager won the national “Elks Hoop Shoot” basketball free-throw competition in Chicago, the first Alaska teen to win since 1990.
Palmer Middle School student, Grace Wilhelm, 13, competed in the 12 to 13-year-old girl category, claiming victory by hitting 23 of 25 shots in the final.
The last Alaska winner — 1990 Alaska teen winner, Trajan Langdon — attended East High School and went on to play basketball at Duke University and in the NBA. He is currently the president of the Detroit Pistons.
Wilhelm said Monday that she felt a “mix of emotions” when she was declared the winner.
“I met a lot of other new competitors that I became friends with, and it was tough competition,” she said. “They were all really good.”
Having started her basketball prowess in fourth grade, Wilhelm said she practices every day during the school week and completes half-days at school before going to practice.
“I just practice ... I just shoot,” she explained. “I just focus on me, I don’t focus on what other people are doing around me ... I just focus on keeping my rhythm and my shot.”
While she’s still young, Wilhelm offered some advice for other kids wanting to hone their basketball skills.
“Just be yourself, and just keep shooting,” she said. “Don’t let others tell you how. Just keep shooting.”
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