BAILEYTON, Ala. – Monday morning was a special one at Parkside School. Before school began, the gymnasium was packed with students waiting to surprise and celebrate third grader Paxton Plourd. Plourd was at Wintrust Arena in Chicago on Saturday competing in this year’s Elks Hoop Shoot national finals and he shot a perfect 25 of 25 from the free throw line to return home with a national championship. Since the competition began in 1972, Plourd is just the third national winner from Alabama and the second from Cullman.
After Plourd was welcomed into the gymnasium by his fellow classmates, several guest speakers took a moment to congratulate Paxton including Cullman Hoop Shoot Director Donnie Handley, State Hoop Shoot Director Joel Vickery, Senator Garlan Gudger, Baileyton Mayor Windell Calloway and Cullman County Commissioner Kerry Watson.
Cullman Hoop Shoot Director Donnie Handley
“We’re very proud of Paxton but we’re also proud of the parents and other students and all of Cullman County’s coaches and P.E. teachers. I’ve been the director for 30 years and 23 of those years we’ve been to nationals because of these young men and young women,” Handley said. “We’ve got the best coaches and the best teachers in the state of Alabama right here in Cullman County and I’m proud of every one of you.”
Alabama Hoop Shoot Director Joel Vickery
“Paxton did an outstanding job all the way from our local shoot up to nationals and did a great job representing the state of Alabama,” Vickery said. “At regionals Paxton missed his very first shot but after that he hit 24 in a row. I just want to thank his parents mainly and his teachers for doing a great job and just keep up the good work. Congratulations.”
Cullman County Commissioner Kerry Watson
“Paxton made Cullman County proud and we’re very proud of him,” Watson said. “At our next meeting on May 20, we’ll recognize him with a certificate, you’ve made us all proud and keep up the good work. You’ve set a high standard for all of us to work for.”
Senator Garlan Gudger
“I work in Montgomery with Governor Kay Ivey and the Governor could not be here today, but she sent a special Alabama pin for Paxton for winning the national championship,” Gudger said. “On behalf of the Alabama State Senate and the Legislature we want to present you with a Resolution in Montgomery from the Alabama Legislature in honor of winning the national championship. We are very proud of you sir and as you can tell, everyone here is very excited for you.”
Each year, the six Hoop Shoot National Champions will have their names listed alongside their picture in a digital exhibit at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts. Additionally, two of the Frank Hise National Champions are in attendance when the Hall of Fame inductees are honored at the enshrinement ceremony.
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