Reno boy shoots for stars in U.S. contest by Sean Horejs, Outpost staff On the Web Elks Hoop Shoot Results Basketball Hall of Fame Kyle Elliott of Reno may only be 5 feet tall, but he has a better free throw percentage than 7-foot, 3-inch Los Angeles Laker Shaquille O'Neal. That skill took Kyle, 11, all the way to Springfield, Mass., last weekend to participate in the national Elks Hoop-Shoot Competition, where he finished a respectable eighth out of 12 regional winners. 11 year-old hot shot Kyle Elliott gets ready to can another one. Photo by Sean Horejs On March 26, Kyle won his division at the Western Regional Elks competition in Las Vegas by sinking 19 out of 25 free throws. The competition showcased the best shooters from Guam, Hawaii, California, Arizona, Utah and Nevada. "I feel like I've accomplished a lot," Kyle said. "I feel happy that I have the confidence that I'm gonna win there (Springfield), and I practice a lot." His mother couldn't have been prouder. "We're just really happy that he got this far and we're looking forward to going to Springfield," said Kyle's mother Tami Elliott before the family left for the tournament. "It's going to be a good opportunity for him." To see Kyle in action, click photo. A win for Kyle at the national level would have forever enshrined him in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, a dream come true for Dad. "It's unbelievable! " said Gordon Elliott. "I still kinda pinch myself now and then. He's just working hard at it and if he gets it, he deserves it." On April 10th, while practicing at the Reno Family YMCA, members of the Reno Elks Club wished Kyle good luck and presented him with a new warm-up suit bearing his name to wear at the national tournament. Mom, Dad and Reno Elks members wished Kyle good luck before the tournament. Photo by Sean Horejs Reno hasn't sent a contestant to the national competition in more than 20 years, and no one from Nevada has ever been named national champion. Unfortunately, Reno will have to wait even longer for that champion. Kyle gave it his all, but came up short. He finished with a total of 17 out of 25 free throws made, good enough for eighth place. Not bad considering the competition, the top three finishers in the 10- and 11-year-old division sank 23, 22, and 21 respectively. But don't think we've heard the last of Kyle Elliott, he plans to go for it again next year. Not only that, but he's also an avid golfer. Look out Tiger Woods! Posted April 23, 1999 Copyright 1999 Nevada Outpost TOP Outpost | Metro | Lifestyle | Travel | Dining | Outdoors | Sports Archives | Specials | Links | About us | Mail us