Youth’s perfect score nets international recognition

MILLTOWN – Nine-year-old Cristian Ferrer is not resting on his laurels as a basketball free throw shooter, even though his most recent award netted the highest honor he could achieve.

Cristian, a member of our Lady of Lourdes Parish, won the State Championship title in the boys 9-year-old division by converting 25 of 25 attempts at St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, Old Bridge, March 25.

On Sept. 19, at a meeting of Our Lady of Lourdes Knights of Columbus Council 7250, Cristian was named an International Champion in a ceremony led by State Advocate Scott Williams.

Cristian was one of five winners in his division from around the country to be named a 2022-23 International Champion and one of 20 overall, according to the Knights’ website. He was the only contestant from New Jersey to receive the honor.

Cristian is the first International Champion from Council 7250 since the tournament began in 1972, said Thomas Olson, Deputy Grand Knight.

Cristian was joined by family members at the ceremony, during which Williams, a member of St. Cecilia Parish, Monmouth Junction, presented him with a trophy. Cristian also received a new Wilson basketball from Council 7250.

After receiving the trophy, Cristian posed for photos with family members, officers of the Catholic men’s fraternal organization and Father Edward Czarcinski, Council chaplain and pastor.

Cristian, who wants to be a professional basketball player, said he planned to put his International Champion trophy on a shelf in his bedroom.

A fifth-grader at Joyce Kilmer School, Milltown, Cristian said he has been practicing for the 2024 free throw tournament, which begins at the parish level in January.

The experience of winning the state title has given him more confidence as a player as well as for other activities. “It has had a more positive impact on my shot,” he added.

His mother, Nicole, said she has also noticed her son’s increased confidence.

“He is really into practicing,” she said. “He goes on his own now and practices about two hours a day.

“He sees the value of the hard work he puts in has been rewarded and he wants to keep that up, which is really nice.”

Cristian, a shooting guard on the Bulldogs’ Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) team, said one of the skills he wants to improve is dribbling the ball with his left hand since he is right-handed.

As for advice for anyone who struggles to convert free throws, Cristian suggested creating a pre-shot routine. His consists of dribbling the ball and spinning it before releasing a shot.

According to the website of the Catholic men’s fraternal organization, Councils sponsor Free Throw Championship for boys and girls ages 9 to 14 to provide an athletic outlet and encourage the values of sportsmanship and healthy competition.

Participants compete with their own gender and age and progress from local level to district, regional and state/province competitions.

Each contestant is allowed 15 consecutive free throws in Council competition and 25 consecutive free throws in all other levels.