By Liz Tennent

For Salisbury Post

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — Duke and North Carolina men’s basketball teams  are set to play their final regular season basketball game on Saturday night.

But for local Hoop Shoot dads Ryan Steele and Mark Misenheimer, both huge Blue Devil fans, they’ll have their eyes focused on their daughters on Saturday.

Marlie Steele, 11, and Hadley Misenheimer, 8, are competing in the Southeast Central Region 10 Hoop Shoot on Saturday in Charlottesville.

The region includes state-champion shooters from North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Delaware and Washington, D.C.

Steele and Misenheimer represent Salisbury Elks Lodge No. 699 — and the state of North Carolina.

They started their journey in January, entering the Hoop Shoot free-throwing contest for the first time, but probably not the last. They swished their way through the local competition at Hall Gym, then won district and state competitions for their age groups. Steele competes in the 10-11 age bracket. Misenheimer competes with the 8-9 age group.

“We’re very excited for the girls,” said Kenny Martin, Exalted Ruler of Salisbury Elks. “This is the first time we’ve sent two to the regional. We would love to see the girls advance to the finals in Chicago, but mostly we want them to enjoy this experience with their families, on and off the court.”

Saturday’s contest is set for 10:45 a.m. and will be followed by an awards banquet and trophy presentations.

Four more North Carolina state winners will compete in boys 8-9, boys 10-11, boys 12-13 and girls 12-13 age groups.

National finals are slated for April 24-27.

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