Information On The Recent Free Throw Championships

The men’s event in Las Vegas qualified 8 free throw masters. There were four perfect scores; Eddie Palubinskas, Bob Owen, Jim “Makevery” Schatz and Duane Shaw. The total qualifying scores for Nevada was 193 – 200 = 96.5%.

In St. George the men’s event was a little better, 195 – 200 = 97.5%.

Fourteen free throw masters qualified before establishing the eight shooter draw sheet. There were three perfect scores; Kenneth Katona, Harry Carothers and Bruce Crane, Eleven shot 24 – 25.

The senior women’s free throw championship in St. George didn’t fare as well. The ladies shot 158 – 200 = 79%. Far below free throw mastery percentages. Ann O’Neill shot a 24 -25 = 96% followed by two 23 – 25 = 92%; Nancy Nerenberg and Kay Seamayer, which were the highest scores.

Only one senior women would have qualified in the men’s championship at the Huntsman shooting 24 – 25 = 96%. Three would have qualified in Las Vegas with the low score being 23 – 25 + 92%. The NBSA considers 96% or better as free throw mastery in practice and shooting competition. 92% is free throw par.

I was thrilled to see the turn out of so many of the best known free throw mastery shooters in the world. Winning these events was a tremendous feat. Congratulations to Mike Scudder and Gerrianne Lockhart – Walker for winning World Champion titles in St. George and Bob Owen for winning the Nevada State Champion title in Las Vegas.

RESULTS – Wilson / NBSA Nevada State Senior Games Free Throw

Championship

Champion Bob Owen – NBSA Founder
Finalist Fred Newman – NBSA Honorary Founder

RESULTS – Wilson / NBSA / Huntsman World Senior Games Free

Throw Championship

Women’s Champion Gerrianne Lockhart – Walker
Women’s finalist Kay Seamayer
Men’s Champion Mike Scudder – NBSA Charter Member
Men’s Finalist Kenneth Katona

QUALIFIER FREE THROW MASTERY TOP SCORES

There were seven perfect 25 – 25 scores and a total of eleven 24 – 25 in the men’s two championships and one in the women’s event. This was truly an elite competition with one of the toughest groups of free throw masters ever assembled. It was truly a great test to determine who would be the world champion.

Eddie Palubinskas* (LA) 25 – 25 100% (Nevada)
Kenneth Katona (OH) 25 – 25 100% (Utah)
Harry Carothers (FL) 25 – 25 100% (Utah)
Bruce Crane (UT) 25 – 25 100% (Utah)
Bob Owen* (IN) 49 – 50 98% (Both Nevada and Utah)
Jim “Makevery” Schatz*(CA) 49 – 50 98% (Both Nevada and Utah)
Duane Shaw* (KS) 49 – 50 98% (Both Nevada and Utah)
John Ackerman* (NV) 48 – 50 96% (Both Nevada and Utah)
Mike Scudder* (NV) 24 – 25 96% (Utah)
Ann O’Neill (CO) 24 – 25 96% (Utah)
Vic Deuvono (UT) 24 – 25 96% (Utah)
J.D. Clark (MT) 24 – 25 96% (Utah)
Dick Reichelder 24 – 25 96% (Utah)
Bob Mc Coid (PA) 47 – 50 94% (Both Nevada and Utah)
Fred Newman* (CA) 47 – 50 94% (Both Nevada and Utah)
John Lake (UT) 23 – 25 92% (Nevada)
Kay Seamayer (TX) 23 – 25 92% (Utah)
Nancy Nerenberg (OR) 23 – 25 92% (Utah)

SENIOR WOMEN QUALIFIERS

Ann O’Neill
Kay Seamayer (TX)
Nancy Nerenberg (OR)
Tina Marable
Janet Smeltz
Gerrianne Lockhart – Walker (TX)
Nancy Manweiler (UT)
Jane Emkes
Gwen Woodbury
Avis Vaught

* Indicates NBSA founder or NBSA member before competition.

A very special thank you to our hosts in Las Vegas, specifically Gary Potter who made a financial contribution to the NBSA, and our hosts in St. George, specifically Kyle, Merrill and Rosey. I also would like to thank free throw master John Ackerman for his generous financial donation in his appreciation of these events.

A very special thank you to our sponsors; Huntsman, Nevada State Games, Wilson Sporting Goods, QuickshotUSA, The Original Ballbag and Free Throw Mastery (me) for providing and rewarding the qualifiers with an official Wilson Evolution tournament basketball, a Certificate of Shooting Excellence, trophies, prizes, printing, graphics, t-shirts and lodging.

Next season I intend to run a series of open and senior free throw mastery events in California, Nevada and possibly Utah, culminating again in the California State Free Throw Championship, Nevada State Free Throw Championship and finally the 2nd Annual World Free Throw Championship in St. George Utah.

I hope to see you all at these FREE THROW MASTERY events, out of state competitors are welcome, as there will be plenty of nice prizes, my NBSA single elimination free throw championship qualifier format and I’m working on finding a major sponsor to develop a professional shooting tour with prize money.

Stay tuned for updates.

From Jim Schatz