Millie Walling places first in Texas Elks Hoop Shoot contest, advances to regional event

February 23

11:47 2025

Print This Article Share it With Friends

Millie Walling of Breckenridge won first place in the Elks State Hoop Shoot contest on Saturday, Feb. 22, in Carrollton, and will advance to the regional competition next month.

Millie came in first in the 8-9-year-old girls division in the local Hoop Shoot event, held by the Breckenridge Elks Lodge #1480 on Jan. 5, and she placed first again at the district contest in Arlington on Jan. 18.

“She told me weeks ago she had been practicing and was determined to go to the Championship in Chicago,” Breckenridge Elks Secretary Desirée Powell said in an email on Saturday. “We at the Elks are so proud of her!”

Next, she will compete in the Southwest Region 11 Hoop Shoot Semi-Final on March 15 in Dallas. The region includes Texas, Louisiana, New Mexico and Oklahoma. The first place winners from each region around the country will compete in the National Hoop Shoot on April 26 in Chicago.

This was Millie’s second time to go to the state competition; she won the local and district contests last year, as well, but didn’t advance past the state level.

“When Millie sets her mind to something, watch out because she won’t stop until she does it,” Millie’s mom, Kristin Walling, said in a Facebook post. “She told us last year she was going to win next year! … We are so thankful for our Breckenridge Elks lodge! I don’t think everyone realizes how much they do for our community and kids!”

Cutline, top photo: Millie Walling of Breckenridge, center, was presented with a trophy after winning first place in the 8-9-year-old girls division of the Elks State Hoop Shoot contest on Feb. 22. She is pictured with Keith Stanley, the Texas State Hoop Shoot Director, left, and Renea Oswalt, the Texas Elks State Association president, right. (Courtesy Photo)