Tekoa’s Mendoza tops Idaho hoop shoot

Tekoa eighth grader Tatiana Mendoza will compete at the Elks Regional Hoop Shoot March 2-3 in Vancouver. Mendoza won the age 12-13 championship for the state of Idaho. Tekoa is included in Idaho for the purpose of the Elks’ competition.

She will compete in Vancouver against the state champions from Oregon, Washington and Alaska.

Mendoza reached the Northwest regional competition after winning contests in Tekoa, Moscow, Lewiston and Nampa. Each is a best-of-25 free throws format.

Mendoza’s mother Tammy, the sixth-grade teacher in Tekoa, remembers when Tatiana asked to compete in basketball games as a five-year-old. Tammy said that her father, Mendoza’s grandfather Harry Brandt, has been a great supporter.

Tatiana played on the Tekoa-Oakesdale varsity team for several games this year with older sister Cassandra, a junior.

Tatiana, Cassandra and parents Tammy and Ignacio will travel for a two-night stay in Portland, courtesy of the Elks. Mendoza will receive an Elks Hoop Shoot warmup prior to the competition.