Riding with the Champ

Elks Hoop Shoot National Champion Tre Estes returned home from his perfect 25-for-25 free throw-shooting effort in Chicago earlier this month and celebrated his triumph the way Anaconda traditionally celebrates its champs: with a ride on the fire truck.

Top: Tre sits in pole position on the Anaconda Fire Department ladder truck on Saturday, April 25 with his family behind him.

Second: Tre, front right, stands outside the Anaconda Elks Club joined by his dad Rochi and mom Stefanne, grandfather Ron and siblings Rylie, Duke, Krew and Rhys before boarding the ladder truck. Leader photos: James S. Rosien.

Third: Tre hoists his trophy as the truck proceeds down Main Street.

Fourth: Tre is joined by Anaconda Firefighters Bryant Little, left, Taylor Scholler, Alec Buffington and Chief Cody Tocher in celebrating after a successful ride. Photos courtesy of Stefanne Estes.

Above: And last but certainly not least, Walt Hansen, the longtime organizer of the local Elks Hoop Shoot in Anaconda where Tre's journey to the title began, gets his photo taken with the champ. For the story of Tre's win at nationals, see our Wednesday, April 22 edition. Leader photo: James S. Rosien