CHICAGO — Local youth Lincoln Niemi and Kassie Koski both placed in the top tier of their respective divisions at the Elks Hoop Shoot National Finals on Saturday at Loyola University Chicago.

Competing against the best free-throw shooters in their respective 8-9 year-old divisions, Niemi and Koski both placed in the top six out of a field of 12 competitors.

Niemi was one of two shooters that went a perfect 10-for-10 in the first round of the Boys 8-9 Division. The Elma Elementary School fourth-grader then hit 13-of-15 shots in round two to finish 23-of-25, just one shot off the pace of a three-way tie for the lead. He finished fourth overall.

Anthony Thompson of Dayton, Ohio went a perfect 30-for-30 in the shoot-off to claim the championship by one point.

Competing in the Girls 8-9 Division, Koski hit six of her first 10 shots in round one followed by a 10-for-15 performance in round two. The Raymond Elementary school student’s final score of 16-for-25 earned her sixth place in the nation.

Ava Kouri of Massillon-North Canton, Ohio won the title with a final score of 23 out of 25.

For more Elks Hoop Shoot National Finals information, visit elks.org/hoopshoot.