Franklin High guard Sam Bohmiller, the reigning HockomockSports.com Player of the Year, finished just outside the top three at the inaugural A Shot For Life Challenge on Saturday at the University Sports Complex in Hanover.
Bohmiller, who will be attending Babson College this fall, was one of 11 shooters chosen to take part in the two-hour jump-shooting competition that raised money for cancer research. He put up over 700 shots in the first hour alone and finished with a shooting percentage of around 80 percent (his exact final totals weren’t available at the end).
“I really took advantage of the two-for-one three’s [in the final 30 minutes],” Bohmiller explained. “I started off, the first 20 minutes, just shooting free throws and I think that worked.”
He added with a smile, “I was just trying not to think about heavy my arms were.”
Despite being arm-weary at the end, Bohmiller made a late charge as three-pointers were counted as double in the final 30 minutes. Unfortunately, he could not make up any ground on the winner, Walpole High rising senior Scott Arsenault, who made more than 90 percent of his shots on the day. Brookline’s Shiraz Mumtaz and Newton North’s Tommy Mobley rounded out the top three and both shot well above 80 percent.
No matter where he finished, Bohmiller was thrilled to have been able to take part.
“It is a huge honor,” he remarked. “When Brendan [Hall of ESPNBoston.com] first emailed me about it, I was thrilled to even be mentioned and considered one of the top shooters in the state.
The event was organized by Catholic Memorial graduate and Watertown resident Mike Slonina to raise money for the A Shot For Life Foundation, which he created after his mother was misdiagnosed with brain cancer. Slonina gained notoriety for his fledgling foundation in 2011 when he shot jumpers for 24 consecutive hours.
On Saturday, the inaugural A Shot For Life Challenge raised over $10,000 to be distributed to a pair of local hospitals. The success of the event surpassed even Slonina’s very high expectations.
“We put this together in four or five months,” he marveled. “I’m not kidding when I tell you that in a week I’ll be calling companies to corporate sponsor for next year. There are other A Shot For Life events between now and then, but this is going to be my baby. I’m really going to make sure that this event becomes as big as it can be.”
Slonina emphasized, “We will have a dunk contest next year; it is going to happen.”
With friends and family in attendance, including several vocal members of Franklin’s fan group Rattle City, and entertained by his rebounders, Bohmiller had a great time at the event and excited that in the process he was able to help raise money for an important cause.
“Thanks to Mike for putting this thing on,” said Bohmiller. “It’s a great event and raised a bunch of money for cancer research. So, it was the best of both worlds.”