The Tamaqua Elks Lodge #592 had a pair of its local winners crowned NE District Hoop Shoot champions on Saturday, Feb 13. The Tamaqua Elks contigent turned in a strong showing as their six representatives combined for two first-place finishes, two second-place finishes and a third-place finish. Cole Dietz of Lehighton and Emily Lang of Tamaqua were the two champs. Dietz captured the boys 8-9 year-old division with a double tie-breaker victory. Dietz went 21-for-25 in regulation, 4-for-5 in the opening tie-breaker round and 5-for-5 in the second tie-breaker. Lang won the girls 8-9 year-old title, going 10-for-25. Olivia Jones and Julian Rickert both finished in second place. Jones shot 14-for-25 in the girls 12-13 year old age group. Rickert was 18-for-25 in the boys 12-13 age group. Both Jones and Rickert were narrowly edged for championships in double tie-breakers. Brady Sherry finished third in the boys 10-11 year-old group, shooting 13-for-25. Ava Agosti represented Tamaqua in the girls 10-11 year-old age group. Dietz (left) and Lang (right) are shown with Tamaqua Elks representative Vaal Kester. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO