'Tre-Mendous' Tre Estes triumphant with perfect 25-for-25 shooting at the Elks Hoop Shoot National Finals in Chicago (updated)

The Estes name was immortalized into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame with the posthumous induction of the late Wayne Estes in 1967, and nearly six decades later the name of his grand-nephew Tre Estes will join him after winning the 2026 Elks Hoop Shoot National Finals representing the Anaconda Elks Lodge on Saturday in Chicago. 

This was Tre's second year in a row making it to the Hoop Shoot National Finals, but this time it was pure perfection: he did not miss a single shot, making all 25 free throws to win the Boys 10-11 National Championship in front of an audience that included his parents Rochi and Stephanne Estes and Anaconda Elks Exalted Ruler Shawn Hansen – plus many more excited Anacondans watching at home via the Elks' website. 

Stephanne said for her and Rochi, it "was a moment we will never forget." 

"We are extremely proud of Tre," she said. "We felt a radiant sense of pride and joy watching him accomplish what he set out to do."

Asked what was going through his mind both during and after the finals, Tre said "during the event I was thinking 'just make 25,' after I was just thinking 'I’m a national champ!!'" 

Tre said he practices "every day or mostly this year, I probably didn’t miss more than 10 days in the gym. I go and try to be as consistent as possible. Out of 25 I shoot 10, then sit for like 20 minutes, and then shoot 15." 

"I breath and stay focus I try to shoot the same way," he said of his free throw-shooting method. "It takes a lot of practice and consistency."

Tre was appreciative of everyone supporting and cheering for him back home, saying "it shows that people want me to win other than my family thank you every one who was supporting me," and added that he plans "to go even stronger and try to win it again."

Shawn Hansen, Anaconda Elks Exalted Ruler, accompanied Tre and his parents at nationals in Chicago. Asked for his thoughts watching Tre win the title, he said "my reaction was one of amazement. When he sank the 23rd shot, I said to myself, 'He's actually going to do all 25.' It was fun to see it live, and I always enjoy Tre's reaction when he knows he has won. That look and smile he always shoots towards his parents is priceless." 

Hansen said Tre's championship in his return to nationals not only gives the Elks Lodge and all of Anaconda a boost, but shows the value of the program, particularly in building grit for youths who participate.

"Our Elks Lodge is one that is a transformation. There are many positive things going on, from grants to building upgrades, and having Tre win this competition certainly gives us a boost and the town of Anaconda as a whole. It gives the Anaconda Elks pride to sponsor Tre throughout the Elks Hoop Shoot process, and we are so proud of him," Hansen said. "Many people think the Hoop Shoot is about shooting baskets, and yes, that is certainly part of the Hoop Shoot program, but it is more than that; it is about grit and making gritty kids. It's about teaching these kids that when you get knocked down, you get back up, and Tre is an excellent example of that. Last year, at the National Finals, Tre shot 17 of 25. Nerves got the best of him, in my opinion. This year, he worked and practiced hours to overcome that to make 25 of 25. That is a true accomplishment and makes him a gritty kid."

Hansen's father and longtime organizer of the Hoop Shoot in Anaconda, Walt Hansen, agreed, saying he hoped Tre's national title would encourage more kids locally to participate. 

"We need more kids. I want to have a huge Hoop Shoot with lots of kids. It's a good program, and if parents are concerned about the cost, the Elks pay for everything – they don't have to pay one single dime," Walt said. He explained the origins of the Hoop Shoot go all the way back to 1946 in Corvallis, Oregon when a member of the local Elks Club there noticed at a playground that kids were playing basketball but not everyone was getting a chance to play, so he created the Hoop Shoot free-throw contest as a way to let everyone be able to participate.

"We've been involved almost since the beginning," Walt said, noting that several Anacondans have made it to the national finals, and that prior to Tre there were three champions – Jen Phillips, Ali Hurley and Caleb Stetzner. He said the Anaconda Elks Club is in the process of making plaques for every Hoop Shoot national finalist from Anaconda. 

The program is one of many ways the Elks give back to the community, particularly the youth, Walt said.

"The Elks are involved with young people. I was state scholarship chair for the Elks and at that time we had three kids who received the national scholarship – all in all gave out about $200,000 in scholarships while I was doing that program," he said. "We do scholarships, we do a drug awareness program, and the third real big thing we do is honor veterans. And we support any community needs. Right now we’re getting funding for the fire departments and the animal shelter. We try to get involved in as many community things as we can. There’s also the essay contest, and then we share with the Avon Grange, we provide dictionaries for elementary students. We’re in that program, too. The food bank is another thing we do. We try to do as many things as we can. We’ve been pretty successful. We’ve come a long way. We’ve been able to do a lot of things and do them very well." 

Walt also extended his appreciation to the Anaconda School District for helping make the local Hoop Shoot possible. 

"The school district has been very helpful to me, providing the Memorial Gym. The kids like the gym, it’s where the Copperheads play, it’s a great gym and we’re lucky to have the school provide it to us to do a Hoop Shoot."

As for Tre's accomplishment in going back to – and then winning – nationals, Walt said "it was amazing."

"He’s helped us an awful lot. And it’s not only our Elks Club, it’s Anaconda. It gives us recognition," he said. "It’s a Hoop Shoot, but it’s still important that we have someone who can do that."

Editor's note: after receiving new information, this article has been updated to indicate that there were three previous champions from Anaconda; the third, Caleb Stetzner, has been added as well.