an axle;

a catapult arm connected to said axle at a mid-portion of said catapult arm such that a first portion of said catapult arm extends rearward of said axle and a second portion of said catapult arm extends forward of said axle when said catapult arm is in a second position;

a basketball holder located at said first portion of said catapult arm and configured to hold a basketball for launching a mounting structure located below at least the axle, catapult arm, and motor;

a spring having a first end attached to said second portion of said catapult arm and a second end that is fixed to the mounting structure;

an engagement arm located rearward of, and spaced apart from, said axle, said engagement arm comprising an opening configured to accommodate part of said first portion of said catapult arm so as to selectively engage said catapult arm thereby secure said catapult arm in said second position and selectively release said catapult arm for travel into a first position;

a motor;

linkage members which are interconnected for relative rotational movement, where a first one of said linkage members is connected to said motor and a second one of said linkage members is connected to said axle and a third one of said linkage members connects the first one of said linkage members and the second one of said linkage members; and

a ram mounted to the second one of said linkage members such that a longitudinal axis of said ram extends transverse to a longitudinal axis of the second one of said linkage members, wherein said ram is otherwise suspended for swinging movement below said axle; and

wherein said linkage members, said motor, and said ram are arranged such that each cycle of said motor in a given direction is configured to, by way of said linkage members, cause said ram to: swing in a forward direction to contact said second portion of said catapult arm and force said catapult arm to rotate with said axle into the second position where said part of said first portion of said catapult arm is secured within said opening of said engagement arm thereby securing said catapult arm in said second position, and subsequently swing in a rearward direction to disengage said catapult arm and instead contact and move said engagement arm to release said catapult arm from said opening such that said catapult arm rotates with said axle into said first position by way of forces exerted by said spring to launch said basketball located at said basketball holder.