05/22/2026
Our Hoop Shoot Contest still goes on to this day! Really cool to see our history!
Finally Friday in Seaford's History.....
In 1974, the spirit of community and friendly competition was alive and well in Seaford as local youngsters gathered for the annual Seaford Elks Basketball Free Throw Contest. Sponsored each year by the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the event gave area children a chance to test their skills on the basketball court while bringing families and neighbors together in support of local youth activities.
That year’s winners were Kimberly Hall of Pine Street, Mark Gaskin of West Ivy Drive, and Lemont Batts of Pond Street — three young Seaford residents whose hard work and determination earned them recognition throughout the community. Mark Gaskin added to the excitement by capturing an additional trophy after placing third in the state playoffs, bringing even more pride back home to our town.
Standing proudly beside the winners was Ray Hall, chairman of the Elks youth activities program, holding the basketball that symbolized more than just a game. Events like the free throw contest reflected the values of our small-town America in the 1970s — encouraging teamwork, sportsmanship, and community pride among the next generation.
For many who remember those days, the contest was about far more than trophies. It was an evening filled with cheering parents, proud smiles, and the simple joy of seeing local children celebrated for their effort and achievement. Decades later, memories of those community gatherings still bring warmth to those who grew up in Seaford during that special era.
