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Show B-3 The Park Record Sat/Sun/MorVTues, February 19-22, 2005 Henefer's hoop star heads to Las Vegas Taylor Moore ready for shooting contest By APIA WALDBURGER Of the Record Staff Deep in the heart of the small town ol Hencfer is a big Wilenl. Nine-year-old Taylor Moore is a hoops shooting plienom with a mountain of trophies and basketbails to prove it. She will be putling her sharp-shooting skills to the test once again next weekend at the regional Elks Hoop Shoot "Free Throw" competition. The Elks Hoops Siiool "Free 'Hirow" program is a contest run by the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks fraternal organization (Elks) and invites youth ages tS-13 to try their hand seeing how many free throw shots they can make. The contests start in tiie local school district, and winners than compete in a contest held hy the local Elks lodge. One female and one male winner moves on to each district, state, regional and national competition. Moore won the stale competition at the beginning of February for the second year in a row. Last year, at age eight she scored more points than any other competitor in any bracket at the state level. The young hoopster is no stranger to the court. She originally started playing basketball in her local Jr. Jazz program after she brought home a flyer from school and her parents decided that this might be a good activity for their tallerthan-average daughter. It also didn't hurt that Moore's hither played basketball in high school and wanted to see his children enjoy his passion. "My dad's been into it [basketball) for a quite a while and I started playing it and liked it a lot." said Moore. Moore thrived in the youth basketball program and last year entered the Hoops Shoot competition. Unfortunately, the Moore's had found out jihoul the contest late and were unable to work with their daughter before the competitions began. Luckily, Moore's skills shone through and carried her all of the way to a third-place finish in the regional competition. This year was an entirely different situation. Moore spent all summer working on her shot. Since the "school year began, Moore prac- tices at the church house across the street from her home for an hour a day, repeatedly making free throws with her mother or father. She is still plays Jr. Jazz basketball as well. All of the long hours are paying off. At the state competition, Moore made 19 free throws, just three baskets shy of the first-place winner's record at last year's regional competition. 'Hie North Summit elementary student is pretty confident in her game, so victory or least a move up in the standings at the regional competition should be eminent. "1 think I can do belter. Maybe not first, but I think 1 have a good chance for second," said Moore. Although she will be competing with champions from around the West, the tough-minded Moore keeps her focus. "Sometimes when 1 see them practicing. 1 get nervous, but most, of the time, I don't get as scared," said Moore. Most of the worrying is left up to Taylor's mother Ashley. SCOTT SINE;'PARKRECORD "It's such a nerve-wracking Nine-year-old Taylor Moore holds the third-place trophy and competition when she's out there basketball that she won last year at the regional Elks Hoop and its silent." said Ashley. If Moore emerges as champion Shoot competition in Las Vegas. in Las Vegas, then it is on to Shoot program to allow youth athletic success allows her act as a Massachusetts for the Elks nationwide to participate in sports role model for her younger sibNational "Hoop Shoot" Free competition, interact with other lings. The oldest of three children, 'Ilirow Competition. The winner children their age. and build confi- Moore has already made her fivethere will have their named dence and character. 'Hie program year-old brother jealous of her inscribed on the permanent is the largest and most visible accomplishments. Sure, he plays in "Hoop Shoot" plaque at the youth activity program sponsored Jr. Jazz as well, but he does not Naismith Memorial Basketball by the Elks. They are also commit- have an entire room of trophies Hall oi Fame in Springfield, Mass. ted to making the program finan- and awards. Moore has already heard from last cially viable for all interested and "He's quite jealous, that's for year's regional champion that talented youth in the country. 'Hie Massachusetts is a pretty neat local, district and state competi- sure." said Ashley. "He plays Jr. Jazz, but he's jealous of the spotplace. tions are held at school gyms, and light on her and all of the tro"1 met a friend in Las Vegas and the Elks pay for the gas mileage of phies." she went there and we wrote let- all of the participants. They also He might have to get used to ters and she told me about it." said provide all of the necessary male- the attention. Considering Moore. rial and support needed. In addi- Moore's early accomplishments, it In the next two weeks though, tion, the Elks assume all lodging seems a career in basketball seems the Moore's are just focused on and transportation costs for the only natural. Las Vegas. Moore continues to vouth and their families for "That's what she's hoping and practice religiously, and her most regional and national competi- working towards," said Ashley of her extended family has already tions. who hopes thai Moore can play in made arrangements to attend the "As you watch the kids advance high school and college if she event. on through each next level, to keeps progressing. "'Illis is the second year that watch their self confidence build "It's fun to see her gel excited. we've had Taylor advance on. We and watch their belief in them- Just to see her dedication and are so proud of her for sticking selves increase and their family desire is fun as a parent," said with it. We stand behind her and getting behind them and support- Ashley. wish her the best luck all the way ing, and the family unity. It beneThe Elks' West Region 7 Hoop through. We got her started and fits not only kids but the family as Shoot semi-final competition will are with her all the way through." well. All the way around its just lake place on Saturday, Feb. 26 in Dusty France, local Elks hoop good." said France. Las Vegas, Ncv. For more informashoot director. Besides allowing her to travel tion on the Elks Hoop Shoot proThe Elks started the Hoops and meet new people, Moore's gram, log on to www.elks.org. UTAH IS THE 2ND DRIEST STATE IN THE NATION. 1. XERISCAPE7--; v 2. b f i r # R I ( 3 A T i O N SYSTEMS 3. 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