Marlie Steele, Hadley Misenheimer

Elks Lodge ER Kenny Martin with the state champs.

 

By Liz Tennent

For Salisbury Post

GREENSBORO — Marlie Steele and Hadley Misenheimer are Hoop Shoot state champions.

They locale girls won their respective age groups at the state contest held in Greensboro on Feb. 8.

Next they’ll head to Charlottesville, Va., to compete in the Southeast Central Region 10 Hoop Shoot semifinals. The event is scheduled for Saturday, March 8.

Steele won the Girls 10-11 age group by making 19 of 25 free throws. In the Girls 8-9 division, Misenheimer overcame some nerves to shoot 12 of 25 from the line. They will represent the Salisbury Elks Lodge No. 699.

This is a first for the girls and for the local lodge that got the annual Hoop Shoot free-throw shooting competition under way at Hall Gym in January.

“I don’t think we’ve ever sent two players in the same year to the regional semifinals,” said Kenny Martin, executive officer of the local lodge. “It’s the first time Hadley and Marlie have participated in the Hoop Shoot. I think it’s also the first time we’ve had girls advance to regionals. So, this a huge win for the girls, for our lodge and our community.”

Marlie’s magic number is 19. She sank the same number of free throws at the local competition at Hall Gym and at the district competition in Winston-Salem. The 11-year-old Steele stayed focused. She calmed her nerves talking with other players and learning they too were nervous.

“My daddy (Ryan Steele) inspires me because he also played basketball and is able teach me,” she said. “He motivates me because he is a good basketball player. I want to be good like him.”

Ryan Steele is owner of  Heart of a Champion Basketball Training in Rowan County.

“My mama (Tiffany) is also a strong inspiration because she always knows what to say and helps push me through things even when it gets hard,” Marlie said. “And my sister (Gracie) gives me confidence because she says good things about me and encourages me.”

As much as Marlie loves basketball, she has lot of interests. She is learning to play piano. She is home-schooled. Her favorite subjects are art and geography.

“Even though I play sports, I also enjoy doing girly things” Marlie said. “My favorite color is pink. I like dressing up, painting my nails and doing my hair. Gaming, board games, traveling and hanging with my big sister and my friends are some of my favorite things.”

But for now, basketball is her passion, as she moves closer to the national finals.

“I look up to many WNBA and women college players because they are females playing basketball like me,” Marlie said. “I want to go far and be like them. Watching the women play is more realistic for me. It motivates me to do good things and work hard.”

Hadley Misenheimer, 8, was initially disappointed with her overall results. She made 12 of 25 free throws at the state, a lot less than the 18 of 25 she made at the local and district contests. According to her dad (Mark Misenheimer), Hadley rebounded quickly and was thankful that her off day was still good enough to win.

“I’ve learned it’s very difficult for an 8-year-old to stay focused for 25 free throws,” Mark said. “You’re in a quiet gym in front of an audience where everyone’s eyes are on you.  I encouraged her to take deep breaths, shoot at her own pace, and stick to her routine, and the results would work themselves out.”

The girls are looking forward to the next competition and are grateful for the opportunity.

“I enjoy competing and seeing where I stand against other players my age and earning trophies is a special accomplishment,” Duke fan Hadley said.

Her favorite player is Duke freshman Cooper Flagg.

“It’s simple,” Hadley said. “He does everything on the court. He’s the best player on the best team.”

Hadley watched practices and games coached by her aunt, former Jesse Carson High head coach Brooke Stouder, whose 2021 Cougars won the 3A state title. Champion role models sparked her interest in basketball when she was only 4 years old.

Beyond sports, Hadley is actively involved at Nazareth Community Church. She enjoys being a big sister to 4-year-old Prue, frequent shopping trips with her mom and time spent with Kara Burnett, one of her teachers at Rockwell Elementary School.

If the streak of firsts continues, Marlie and Hadley and members of Salisbury Elks Lodge No. 699 may be booking their tickets for Chicago. The National Hoop Shoot Championship will be played on Saturday, April 26, in Wintrust Arena, home of the WNBA’s Chicago Sky and the DePaul Blue Demons.

For more information about the Hoop Shoot and Salisbury Elks Lodge, go to www.SalisburyElks.org.