BERNADETTE LA PAGLIA

Daniela Resendez, 14, receives pointers from Knight David Walsh, as she stands at the foul line preparing to sink a basket.

BERNADETTE LA PAGLIA

Cooper Fulcher, second from left, holds the basketball at the conclusion of his unprecedented achievement of a perfect score of 15/15 consecutive foul shots at the conclusion of the annual Knights of Columbus Free Championship at MICMS. Joining Fulcher (from left) are Cheryl Toth, MICMS physical education teacher; Matt Browne; Albino Bismonte, chair of the Knights of Columbus; and Sarah Downey, 14, who won first place in her division. For the past two years, Browne has prevailed in two additional levels of competition.

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The Free Throw Basketball Championship, an annual event held in January for adolescent boys and girls across the country, has been sponsored by local chapters of the Knights of Columbus for more than thirty years. For the past ten years, San Marco Chapter 6344 has hosted the competition at the Marco Island Charter Middle School (MICMS).

“We have been doing the Free Throw Competition every year for as long as I can remember,” said Grand Knight Jose Lodeiro. “It’s an event that gives us a chance to encourage kids and sports,”

With 359 participants this year, the 199 boys and 160 girls were highly enthusiastic and very encouraging of one another, Lodeiro said.

“The physical education teachers were extremely cooperative,” he added. “The school principal paid us a visit, and all the Knights that participated really enjoyed working with the kids.”

But this year’s competition witnessed an unprecedented achievement. A new page in its history book was written when seventh grader Cooper Fulcher stood at the foul line to take the allotted 15 throws. Each time, Fulcher sank a perfect basket.

“It was unbelievable to see -— one right after another!” exclaimed Cheryl Toth, MICMS Athletics and Physical Education Teacher. “Cooper just kept popping them in.”

Toth, a founding teacher at MICMS, takes special pride in promoting the annual event and incorporating it into the physical education curriculum.

“I require everyone to participate,” Toth said. “I tell them that they will get graded — not on how many baskets they make, but their attitude. It is a competition, but it’s a friendly competition that’s about the kids and the fact that sports helps channel kids to stay on the right track.”

Carlos Rojas, 14, couldn’t agree more.

“It’s the best thing I’ve ever done,” Carlos said enthusiastically. “It lets us show our skills -— show us what we’re made of. It’s really fun.”

Toth is especially enthused that the competition is equally open to girls.

“Girls are very sensitive to issues of success, especially at this age,” she explained. “The Knights encourage all the kids to try their best. There is no pressure.”

Knight Albino Bismonte, this year’s chairman, is well suited to the task. A retired pediatrician from Illinois, he takes special interest in the growth and development of children.

“I love to see kids enjoying sports,” he said. “It’s one of the best outlets for their energy and it teaches them the importance of team spirit.”

With the news of his record-breaking score, Cooper, 12, received many high-fives from his peers. But despite the accolades, he maintains a modest demeanor (as well as a straight A average).

“We have a basketball hoop at home,” he said — as if to offer rationale for the enormity of his achievement.

Cooper has been passionate about basketball throughout his young life. He plays on the MICMS team and continues to gain mastery through the YMCA basketball program. In his elementary grades, he especially enjoyed being coached by his father, Gene, getting cheered on by his mother, Andrea, and younger brother, Tanner, who also plays excellent ball. In fact, basketball is very much a part of the Fulcher family lifestyle, and occasional tickets to Miami Heat games are considered gold.

According to Lodeiro, the next step in the Free Throw Championship will be at the county level and is scheduled to take place sometime in February at Golden Gate Community Center.

Each champion received a certificate of achievement from the Knights of Columbus. Later in the semester, Cooper, the overall champion, will receive a special plaque commemorating the achievement of his perfect score.