Shooting Starr goes to state

Each day after school, Starr Rodenhurst takes two sets of 25 free throws, usually swishing between 19 to 22 of her shots.

On Saturday, the Silverdale 12-year-old's practice routine continued to pay off, as she sank 19 of 25 shots at the Elk's Hoop Shoot district championship in Sequim en route to advancing to the state championship.

She said she was nervous at first at the competition over the weekend. But Rodenhurst, who also plays softball and soccer, has experience.

In 2007 she was the Washington state champion in the girls age 8-9 category. She made the trip to the birthplace of basketball, Springfield, Mass. to the national championship and finished sixth.

"She just has her own practice regiment there at the school," said Inoa Rodenhurst, Starr's father. "She seems to like the grind because I keep pushing her."

Along with Rodenurst, Brandon Barron, of Bremerton, was victorious in the boys age 8-9 boys category and Silverdale's Ian Chochran took the crown in

the boys age 10-11 division.

Syd Nunez, an Elks Lodge member who organized the county competition in Bremerton on Jan. 9, said the county consistently sends three contestants to state. However, 2007 was the only year two state champions emerged from the county.

Saturday's event featured the winners in each of the three boys and girls categories from seven different lodges.

Though trophies were presented to the 1st and 2nd place finalist in each category, one free-throw shooter advanced in each category.

The state competition will be held at Highland Middle School in Bellevue on Feb. 13, followed by regional championships and the national finale in Springfield.

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