Numbers are up for the annual Dowagiac Elks Club Hoop Shoot, which was held Saturday.

A total of 26 youngsters participated in the free throw contest held at the Dowagiac Middle School.

Winning their respective divisions were Jadyn Smith, Nate Judd, Lance Winchester, Megan Davis, Jaleana Payne and Elizabeth Cloud.

They will all represent the Dowagiac Elks Lodge at the District event held in St. Joseph Jan. 19.

Each competitor will shoot 25 free throws against both boys and girls in the same age bracket.

Last year Judd won both the local and district events and played in the top five for the entire state in the eight- and nine-year-old division.

Winning basketballs Saturday were Richard Payne and Jayda Winchester.

The Hoop Shoot is just one of the Dowagiac Youth Activities sponsored by the Elks Lodge.