Nothing but net for Manson

By Tyler Shoberg

Ten-year-old Maggie Manson has a thing for basketball.

And she's pretty darn good at it, too, especially from free-throw range.

The Aurora Elementary School student was recently awarded for her prowess from the white line with the International Free Throw trophy, considered a Supreme Award by the Knights of Columbus.

"I'm really happy," Manson said, when she found out about the award.

Dr. Cory Badinger, who was KOC State Deputy at the time of the competition in April, presented the large, bronze trophy to Manson during a special ceremony last Tuesday at Holy Cross Catholic Church in West Fargo.

The Free Throw Competition runs through age 14, so Manson could theoretically win several more trophies.

"You need to keep competing so you can line up five of these," Badinger said.

Manson qualified for the international award after winning her way from local competition all the way to state, which was held April 2 in Bismarck. She completed 23 of 25 throws for the state crown. Her score was then sent to the KOC Supreme Office in Washington, D.C., to compete with other state champions for international honors.

Manson put in a lot of work to get her award, too.

"I practiced a lot; at the end of my traveling team practices, and sometimes after school," she said. "My mom and dad helped a lot, too."