Christian Davies of Flint Hill Elementary finished in third place for the boys’ 10-11 age group and Shay Aiken of East Newton, finishing in fourth place for the 8-9 age group.

Unfortunately for Davies and Aikens, only the first place winners of Saturday’s state Hoop Shoot held in the Newton County gymnasium advance to the regional playoffs in Valdosta next month.

Davies and Aikens advanced through the county competition held at Newton in late January, before doing the same through the district Hoop Shoot on Feb. 9.

More than 2.5 million elementary-aged children participate in the event each year with the goal of winning the national contest held in Springfield, Mass.

The victors will have their names inscribed in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.