Miles Decker of Florence placed third in the ages 8 to 9 division Saturday in the Elks Hoop Shoot state championships in Silverton.

Decker and Torelan DeSantis won both Florence and district titles to qualify for the state free-throw shooting event, which sends its winners to the Northwest Regional on March 26 in Pasco, Wash.

DeSantis, competing in the ages 10 to 11 division, received a National Elks Hoop Shoot plaque for his participation.

"Florence Elks Lodge No. 1858 would like to congratulate and recognize our two boys," the club posted Tuesday. "It was a tough competition and we were so proud to be represented by these two young men."

The national competition, in its 50th year, is for both boys and girls ages 8-9, 10-11 and 12-13.

The six eventual national champions — three boys and three girls — will have their names and pictures listed in a digital exhibit at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass.

The national finals are April 30 in Chicago.