B-R's Shay Bollin shoots her way to the ASFL charity challenge championship.

HANOVER Bridgewater-Raynhams Shay Bollin added to her already ultra-impressive basketball resume on Wednesday at the Starland Sportsplex.

Competing in the A Shot For Life Challenge, a charity basketball competition that raises money for cancer research, Bollin was crowned the best girls shooter in the state. For two hours, Bollin shot free throws, mid-range and 3-point shots at a 80.91 percent clip edging Ashlands Kayla Madden (80.71 percent) by the narrowest of margins.

Its a huge honor to win, said Bollin, a two-time Enterprise All-Scholastic who led the Trojans to a Division 1 South title in the winter. Its such a good cause.

In all, over $40,000 was raised for the Dr. Curry Research Laboratory at Mass. General Hospital that pitted 17 of the top high school girls basketball players against each other. On Tuesday, Scituates Jack Poirier was the runner-up in the boys competition.

Im really proud of the way the ASFL family reacted to everything thrown at us this year, said ASFL founder Mike Slonina. In a time where every event is getting cancelled, ours stood tall and figured out a way to do it safely. Im so extremely proud of our staff to make this happen and of our organization tonight. We had to adjust a ton on the fly. There wasnt much that was not thrown at us this year, but we made it work and Im really proud of that.

Bollin was just one of several locals competing. In fact, her point guard Kenzie Matulonis was also in the event. Hinghams Grace Bennis and Carvers Emma Simmons also competed.

The two hours was definitely more difficult than I expected, said Bollin. It took a lot of mental toughness to continue using the right form and continue making every single shot. When youre shooting for two hours straight, its easy to get mentally lax.

With only 16 available hoops for the 17 competitors, Madden shot from 6-8 p.m. before the other competitors had their turn from 8:15-10:15 p.m.

Madden volunteered to shoot early to accommodate all the other girls. Sporting a blue number 10 ASFL jersey and white Nike basketball sneakers, Madden was joined on the court by Ashland girls coach Dave Lyth and Clockers assistant coach Justin Leip.

Oh, and the smooth-shooting Springfield College-bound Madden ended up finishing in second place at 80.71 percent, just .2 percent behind Bollin.

It was definitely different, but Im happy with how I did, Madden said. Shooting before has its pluses and minuses, Id say. It was more of a workout type of feel being in more of an empty gym. But the music was going, I had my rebounders, Slo coming over and giving me time checks. I still felt like I was part of it even though I was shooting before.

Im excited I got to raise more money that goes to a great cause. Its such an honor being welcomed back. Mike asked if I could shoot before, which shows his trust, and Im just thankful to be part of this amazing organization.

Madden was selected to participate last year, but was unable to after tearing her ACL at a tournament in Kentucky.

It was tough for her watching from the bench, making it that much more special that she was able to actually compete this year.

A lot more fun being able to shoot and participate this year, Madden said. I was excited to shoot. Last year was so heartbreaking because I got hurt probably a month before the event. This year, with the pandemic and gyms being closed, there were more obstacles thrown my way. I was excited because this is one of the first basketball things I was able to do.

Also competing from the MetroWest area were recent Natick grad Brenna McDonald, recent Medway grad Lauren Beach, and Franklin rising junior Olivia Quinn.

This is really special, said McDonald, who is headed to Yale University to play. I hadnt been able to get in a gym. Shooting outside is different and Im really fortunate I was able to shoot on a real basket, but also to a part of a special organization that takes something I love - playing basketball - and turns it into helping others.

This is a really big honor, said Quinn, who dazzled for the Panthers this past winter. To wear this jersey and to be here is just such an honor for me, particularly after just finishing my sophomore year. I thought I shot pretty well today, especially with it being my first time. It was a lot of fun and Im really glad Mike was able to make it work with all the circumstances.

Link:

Hinghams Grace Bennis gave it her best shot at the ASFL charity shooting challenge - Wicked Local Hingham