Knights of Columbus crown free throw champions

Seven boys and girls from the Emerald Coast, ages 9 to 14, were named district champions of the 2015 Knights of Columbus Free Throw Championship and have earned the right to compete at the regional level.

In the 9-year old bracket, Danny Matacchiero was the boys’ champion and Jessica Pierce was the girls’ champion.

The 11-year old champion for the boys’ bracket was James Lehman. 

Kobe Babin earned the title in the 12-year old bracket for the boys, and Gracie O’Hare for the girls’.

George Caulfield was tagged the champion in the 13-year olds boys’ bracket, and DeAndre Phillips won the 14-year-old boys’ bracket.

The competition was held Feb. 28, at Holy Name of Jesus Church in Niceville. Participants were from Destin, Holt, Crestview, Miramar Beach, Niceville and Panama City Beach.

Each contestant was allowed 15 free throw attempts in their respective contests.  Ties were settled by successive rounds of five free throws per contestant until a winner emerged. 

Each of the winners has the option to compete in the regional competition to be held on March 7  at St. Mary’s, with an eye toward moving on to the state and international levels.