Berthoud 9-Year-Old Advances to National Hoop Shoot Finals

Paisley Gould will compete against 11 other top free-throw shooters in her age group at the 54th annual Elks Hoop Shoot National Finals in Chicago.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 10:51pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting the motion of a basketball player's shooting form, with sharp planes of color representing the dynamic movements of the sport.A cubist interpretation of a young basketball prodigy's shooting form captures the raw energy and skill of Paisley Gould's journey to the national Elks Hoop Shoot competition.Berthoud Today

Paisley Gould, a 9-year-old from Berthoud, Colorado, has qualified for the 54th annual Elks Hoop Shoot National Finals in Chicago after winning the district, state, and regional competitions. Paisley began shooting hoops at age 4 and has shown impressive dedication, practicing up to 5 hours per day. She will compete against 11 other top free-throw shooters in the 8-9 age group for the chance to have her name displayed in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

Why it matters

Paisley's achievement highlights the growing popularity of youth basketball competitions like the Elks Hoop Shoot, which provide opportunities for young athletes to showcase their skills and potentially earn national recognition. Her success also speaks to the importance of early exposure to sports and the benefits of consistent practice and dedication, even at a young age.

The details

To qualify for the national finals, Paisley had to win the district, state, and regional rounds of the 2025-26 Elks Hoop Shoot competitions. She scored 22 out of 25 free throws at the district competition, the same at the state competition, and 20 out of 25 at the regional competition in Colorado Springs, topping the other three girls in her age group for the West Central Region No. 8, which covers Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, and Wyoming.

  • Paisley competed at the Tri-City Elks Lodge No. 2541 in Louisville for the district round.
  • Paisley scored 22 out of 25 free throws at the state competition on February 21 in Salida.
  • Paisley scored 20 out of 25 free throws at the regional competition on March 14 in Colorado Springs.
  • The 54th annual Elks Hoop Shoot National Finals will take place April 16-19 in Chicago.

The players

Paisley Gould

A 9-year-old fourth grader at Berthoud Elementary School who has qualified for the 54th annual Elks Hoop Shoot National Finals in Chicago after winning the district, state, and regional competitions.

Kimberly Gould

Paisley's mother, who has supported her daughter's dedication to basketball and the Elks Hoop Shoot competitions.

Travis Gould

Paisley's father, who has also supported her basketball pursuits and noted her impressive performance in the competitions.

Brandon Wilkins

The Region 8 Elks Hoop Shoot director, who described Paisley as a 'spitfire' with a 'good attitude' and the 'wherewithal to come out on top'.

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What they’re saying

“It's fun, and you can meet new friends, and it's like trying your best.”

— Paisley Gould

“She said she's not going to lose again, and she hasn't. She hasn't lost yet.”

— Travis Gould, Paisley's father

“It's pretty much putting in the practice and being a gritty competitor. It's spending time in the gym and having that wherewithal to come out on top.”

— Brandon Wilkins, Region 8 Elks Hoop Shoot director

What’s next

Paisley will compete against 11 other top free-throw shooters in her age group at the 54th annual Elks Hoop Shoot National Finals in Chicago from April 16-19.

The takeaway

Paisley Gould's qualification for the national Elks Hoop Shoot competition showcases the dedication and talent of young athletes in Berthoud, Colorado, and the growing popularity of youth basketball programs that provide opportunities for skill development and national recognition.