AUBURN — Lewiston Elks Lodge No. 371 will host its annual Hoop Shoot competition Dec. 18 at Haste Community Center at Pettengill Park. Registration will run from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m., with the competition to follow. This is the 40th year that the Elks have held this competition, which is part of the Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks national free throw shooting contest for children ages 8 to 13.

Nearly 3 million students from across the country entered last year’s competition for boys and girls in age categories 8 to 9; 10 to 11; and 12 to 13. Each contestant has 25 shots at the hoop. The boy and girl in each age group with the best scores advance through four tiers of competition to qualify for the national finals in Springfield, Mass.

Local winners will compete against other contestants in the District event on January 15, 2012 in Augusta. Names of the national winners will be inscribed on the Elks National Hoop Shoot plaque, on permanent display in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield.

Last year, 8-year-old Henry Westphal of Westbrook was the national winner in his age group. Westphal went on to earn the Getty Powell Award as the top boy shooter in the national competition in Springfield. As the national Hoop Shoot champion, Westphal traveled to Phoenix, Ariz., courtesy of the Elks to speak at their national convention and to tour the area.

Who will it be this year? Come on down and find out. For questions regarding the local contest, contact Karen Staples at 312-4516 or via e-mail at [email protected]. For more details or to learn about the Elks, and their national free throw contest, visit www.elks.org/hoopshoot.

CMCC softball clinic

AUBURN — Central Maine Community College will host a softball clinic Sunday, Dec. 18. The camp is designed to teach fundamentals and improve the skills of softball players ages 8 to 18. The clinic will be led by CMCC coach Kate Dargie and will focus on developing the proper ”strategies, skills, and drills” of fastpitch softball. Dargie, who will be assisted by players from her team, notes that athletes at the clinic can expect to work hard and leave the camp with improved ability and a better understanding of the game.

The clinic will be held in the Kirk Hall gymnasium on the CMCC campus in Auburn. Players who are 8-13 years old will participate from 9 to 11 a.m., and the 14-18 year olds will participate from 11:15 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. The fee is $15 for those who register in advance and $20 for same-day registration. Players who are 14 years old may participate in both clinics for $20.

Anyone interested in registering is encouraged to contact Kate Dargie at 240-9387 or [email protected].

Road race results

AUBURN — New Beginnings held its autumn 5K race at Lost Valley Ski Area this year on Oct. 30. It turned out to be a particularly appropriate setting as an early season nor’easter the night before dumped six inches of snow on the area. The unusual weather caused the race to be delayed by a few hours and ensured that runners and walkers were the first down Lost Valley’s slopes this year, besting skiers and boarders for that privilege.

Dave Drew was the top male finisher with a time of 23:29. Rebecca Miller came in first among the women with a time of 27:08. Prizes were awarded in seven age categories thanks to the generosity of many local businesses.

“We had witches, ghost and “things” running this year,” according to Dawne Havener, Chair of the fundraiser. “The mix of Halloween costumes, kids making snowmen, and runners in shorts was fun to see, and made an unusual and exciting race spectacle.”

The course, which followed the Nordic Ski Club’s cross country trails up the side of the Valley, through the apple orchards, and then down the snow-covered slopes, made it all very challenging. Everyone came back safely, most crossing the finish line slipping and sliding but without the customary mud-covered look of late fall trail runners.

New Beginnings uses funds raised by the event to assist runaway and homeless youth ages 12 to 21 and their families throughout southwestern Maine. Thanks to all of the generous sponsors, donors and volunteers who made this annual event a success. Complete race results can be found at: www.newbeginmaine.org.