Recently, debate raged about whether changing the rules on intentional fouling in the NBA would affect how younger kids develop their game. The argument is, “If you change the rule for two or three players, then kids won’t work on their free throws.”

Anthony McLeod, however, has helped play a small role to dispel this notion.

Anthony, the son of Katrina and Troy McLeod, has no problem stepping to the line when it counts. He won the Mississippi state championship in the Elks Hoop Shoot — a free throw shooting contest for children ages 8-13 — and is headed to the regional competition in Valdosta, Ga., later this month.

“The goal is to make 25 successful free throws and they split them into rounds,” Katrina McLeod said. “They give you five warm-up shots and that’s what we always tell him to go ahead and take the warm-ups because he was able to get the kinks out.”

In the local competition on Jan. 29, Anthony went 23-of-25 in the first round and 21-of-25 in the second round to advance to the state competition in Ocean Springs.

There, he made 23 of 25 to advance to regionals. He’ll compete against players from South Carolina, Alabama and Georgia at Valdosta State University March 18-20.

The boys and girls regional winners in each age group will advance to the Hoop Shoot National Finals April 16 in Chicago. There are 12 regional competitions. Anthony is competing in the 8-9-year-olds’ division.

“I could tell he was nervous (at Ocean Springs) but he’s more of a calm shooter and I noticed he did take his time more so than what he did in the past,” Katrina said. “I guess this time since the competition was a little stiffer he took the time to collect his thoughts.”

The McLeods have prepared Anthony by practicing his free throws at the Purks YMCA nearly every day.

“We spend at least an hour every night here,” Katrina said. “I let him play in between. I tell him ‘Give me 10 good ones and I’ll let you rest.’ All in all we do about 50 free throws a night. We have a month to prepare and he’s learning right now we’re going to shoot 100 free throws a day.”

Anthony said at times he gets tired of shooting free throws and the fun fades away, but knows he has to do it to win.

Katrina said Anthony has also worked out with Alexis Stirgus to build his strength. Stirgus is a Vicksburg native who played college basketball at Mississippi College and is now an assistant coach at Clinton High School.

Anthony gets the full workout experience. He sometimes wears a band around his waist and pulls Stirgus around the gym.

“She’s been very instrumental in making certain he perfects his game,” McLeod said.

The exciting part of this experience for Anthony is playing against other children. Mostly, he’s shooting by himself or through the YMCA, but being with other kids he’s learned not everything comes easy.

“One bad night or one bad day and (it’s over), Katrina said. “The score of 23-of-25 at nationals will get you maybe fifth place.”