The Front Row with JASON ELLIOTT April 28, 2012

For Bryan Elementary fifth-grader Zach Mackimmie - the fourth time was the charm.

After qualifying for the state and regional Elks Hoop Shoot four straight years, his dream of advancing all the way to nationals finally came true in March.

MACKIMMIE ADVANCED in the 10-11 year-old age division after making 24 of 25 shots at the Northwest Regional Hoop Shoot on March 3 in Portland.

Nationals are today in Springfield, Mass.

His only miss at regionals was his first.

"Once I finished my first 10, I knew I could do it," said Mackimmie, 11. "I'd only missed the first one, so I thought I could still win."

Two others went 9 of 10, but Mackimmie's perfect 15 of 15 in the second round put the championship away.

"It all came down to that last round," Coeur d'Alene Elks Hoop Shoot Director Rick Alexander, Jr., said. "The fact he could get past that pressure and put it out of his system was amazing. To go on a string like that was incredible.

A perfect final 15 shots, and Mackimmie had advanced to nationals.

"I was very excited about that and knew I did my best," Mackimmie said. "But I thought I did amazing. I set a goal to get to Massachusetts this year. I kept thinking I'd get it before, but kept getting beat."

HE IS the second student from the Coeur d'Alene area to advance to nationals in the last two years. Dalton Elementary student Dylan Bengtson advanced in the 8-9 year-old division last year.

Bengtson made 16 of 25 shots last year at nationals.

This year, more than 5,550 kids competed in the hoop shoot in the Coeur d'Alene area, Alexander said.

"We had our biggest year ever this year," Alexander said. "It may have been a result of Dylan advancing last year. A lot of the local kids looked at him and said ‘Hey, I can do that too.’”

Among the activities that Mackimmie was looking forward to was going to the Basketball Hall of Fame on Friday.

“His goal is to play college and NBA basketball,” his mother Tami said. “This is just a first step in a long list.”

Mackimmie’s name will be in the Elks Hoop Shoot wing of the Basketball Hall of Fame for the next year.

If he wins, it will be on display permanently.

“It would mean everything to me,” said Mackimmie of a championship. “Having my name in the Hall of Fame is something I’ve been dreaming about my entire life.”

AS FAR as nerves — Mackimmie isn’t feeling any right now.

“He does well under pressure,” Tami said. “When he knows he’s behind, he doesn’t get nervous. He’s got a lot of stamina and doesn’t let the nerves get to him. This is his fourth year trying to go and was finally able to break through.”

“I set the goal to get to nationals,” Mackimmie said. “So whatever happens, I’m already a winner in my opinion.”

Alexander believes that the pressure won’t get to Mackimmie.

“It’s possible,” Alexander said. “He’s been doing this competition for four years now and won at the lodge and district level. He was positive that he’d win (at regionals). He’s a lot like Dylan was last year — they just don’t think much of what they’re doing and things will take care of themselves.”

FOUR OF the six qualifiers from the Northwest regional are from Idaho, with Regan Harr of Twin Falls the last national champion in 2009.

Live results can be found at www.elks.org/hoopshoot.

“I’m just going to have fun,” Mackimmie said. “I’m proud of how I’ve done, no matter what happens next.”

Jason Elliott is a sports writer for the Coeur d’Alene Press. He can be reached by telephone at 664-8176, Ext. 2020 or via email at [email protected].