By Allison Peck | North Platte Post/Sandhills Post
Listen to the full interview with Lenny Hassel on our Kubota Podcast Page.
North Platte, Neb. - North Platte families, get ready to lace up your sneakers! The North Platte Elks Lodge is hosting its annual Hoop Shoot contest, giving local kids a chance to show off their basketball skills in a fun and friendly competition.
Lenny Hassel of the Elks Lodge shared the details on the upcoming event. The Hoop Shoot is a free throw contest open to students ages 8 to 13, with age determined as of April 1, 2026. Participants will shoot 25 free throws each, and both the winner and runner-up in each division will receive a medal.
The contest will be held Sunday, December 7, at Adams Middle School Gym, 1200 McDonald Rd. Girls will take the court at 1:00 PM, followed by the boys at 2:00 PM. Hassel explained that the event typically lasts about an hour per division but could run slightly longer if more kids show up.
Hassel emphasized the Elks Lodge’s commitment to youth programs, saying the contest is free to ensure all children can participate.
“We’ve been doing this for over 40 years,” he said. “The Elks Lodge has various youth programs, from scholarships to dictionary distributions for third graders in Lincoln County. We want to get kids involved and active.”
Nationwide, over 2.5 million students participate in Hoop Shoot contests every year. Locally, last year’s event welcomed roughly 30 to 35 children, though Hassel hopes to see even more this year. With multiple baskets set up, organizers are ready to accommodate as many participants as possible.
No pre-registration is required—kids can simply show up and sign in, making it easy for families to join. Every participant will leave with a memorable experience, and winners will receive recognition for their efforts.
The North Platte Elks Lodge Hoop Shoot hopes to keep kids active, having fun, and wants to celebrate community spirit heading into the holiday season.