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Local Basketball Player Looks to Shoot and Score

Photo Courtesy of: Marvin Mathis

Luke Mathis (left), holds a trophy accompanied by Tony Lemos, the Redlands Hoop Shoot director at the Mt. San Jacinto College Hall of Fame.

By Ashley Dinkel, Staff Writer
January 20, 2017 at 11:55am. Views: 106

REDLANDS>> Luke Mathis, 12–year-old Redlands resident, is continuing his passion for basketball and will be participating in the State Elks Hoop Shoot contest on Feb. 4 in Torrance, California. Mathis began playing basketball when he was 5 years old and has participated in the Elks Hoop Shoot since he was 8. The Elks Hoop Shoot is a free throw shooting contest for youth ages 8-13 years old in which contestants shoot 25 free throws and the highest percentage wins. Mathis has been the Elks Hoop Shoot State Champion for the last three years and is going for a 4peat. Mathis was also fifth in the nation 2 years ago. Marvin Mathis, Luke’s father said Luke has shot at 92 percent, making 46 out of 50 shots in the first two contests. The Elks Hoop Shoot Contests consists of five contests that begin at a local level and continue to a district contest, state contest, regional contest and then nationals. With thousands of individuals who participate each year nationwide, Marvin said Luke is feeling confident and has been practicing before school and again in the evening. “He knows that as long as he does his best, that’s all that matters,” Marvin said. Luke, a 7th grader at Moore Middle School, maintains a 3.94 GPA and plays AAU Travel Basketball out of Rancho Cucamonga for the RC Bulls. “I am proud of his hard work and dedication that he puts toward it,” Marvin said. “It’s going to help build good character.” Marvin said Luke’s dream is to continue playing basketball and that the YMCA has been a great supporter of the Elks Hoop Shoot. “The Elks Hoop Shoot is a great program,” Marvin said. “I don’t think enough people know how great it is.” According to the website, the Elks spends more than $80,000,000 every year for benevolent, educational and patriotic community-minded programs in such fields as benefiting physically handicapped children, sponsoring Elks National Foundation scholarships, scouting, athletic teams, veterans' works, the national Hoop Shoot Contest involving more than 3 million children, physical and occupational therapy programs and patriotic programs.

Athlete Highlight: Brooke Hazen

Photo Courtesy of: TME Photography by Titan Mom Elvira

By Titan Mom Elvira, Community Writer

July 29, 2026 at 11:30am. Views: 841

Freshman Varsity cheerleader Brooke Hazen stands at midfield of Grand Terrace High School's football field, where she looks forward to helping energize the crowd and build school spirit throughout the Titans' football season.

Decades of Precision: Victor Covarrubias Brings Experience and Personal Care to 20/20 Vision

Photo Courtesy of: Margie Miller

By Margie Miller, Community Writer

August 19, 2026 at 08:12am. Views: 466

Victor Covarrubias, an experienced optical technician at 20/20 Vision Associates Optometry, began his career in the optical industry in 1998.