Robert Brownlee, a sixth grade student at Whitman Middle School won the Elks Club's Regional "Hoop Shoot" competition to in Portland on Mar. 1 and is advancing to the nationals in Springfield, Mass., on April 26.

Brownlee traveled to the regionals where he faced the top shooters representing Alaska, Idaho and Oregon.

Brownlee made 23 of 25 free throws. He was the last shooter and needed one more shot to beat the next best competitor. His last shot hit the rim, rolled, then went through the basket to earn Brownlee the win.

At the nationals, Brownlee will face the 11 best Elks free-throw shooters in the country.

Starting with the local Ballard Elks competition last month, Brownlee started his consecutive victory string by shooting 21 of 25 free throws. Next came the district "Hoop Shoot," in Mount Vernon on Feb. and Brownlee won again with 20 of 25 free throws.

In Bellevue, at the Washington state "Hoop Shoot," Browlee won with 19 of 25 shots.

At the age of 3, Brownlee first picked up a basketball. "It was fun and fast paced. I was good at it," he said.

Now Brownlee practices everyday and plays on the Whitman Wildcats junior varsity team. He has attended Michael Johnson's Hoopaholics basketball camps.

The secret to free throw shooting is good balance, elbow position, eyes and follow through said Brownlee.

"Every time I miss, I get more nervous. It takes the pressure off when I make it. You have to do the same thing every time," said Brownlee.

His favorite professional player is Steve Nash of the Phoenix Suns.

The Elks "Hoop Shoot" was started in Corvallis, Oregon in 1946 by the local club there. Now in its 35th year of national competition, over three million boys and girls have participated in the event this year in several age categories.