Louisiana Team Leads High School National Championship July 22,2015

July 22, 2015

Louisiana Team Leads High School National Championship

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PARIS, Tenn. — Justin Watts and Alex Heintze of the Livingston Parish Bassmasters had only five bites Wednesday on Kentucky Lake, but the bites came quick and early.

The resulting catch weighing 20 pounds, 10 ounces has the anglers from Baton Rouge, La., in the lead at the Costa Bassmaster High School National Championship presented by TNT Fireworks.

The early success influenced the anglers to abandon their hot spot on the lake at 10:30 a.m., with the idea of saving it for tomorrow.

“The day went as we planned,” Watts said. “We just decided to go look for other similar areas.”

“Our primary area is about 300 yards long, so we wanted to find more water so we can start there tomorrow, do the same thing over again,” Heintze added.

That was a good idea, considering the second-place team of Matt Shirley and Cade Barnes are in easy striking distance of the lead. The team, from Tuscaloosa County High School in Alabama, finished the day with a weight of 20 pounds.

They, too, had an early bite that resonated with fishing successes of the top teams.

“We have about 20 spots and two different patterns going for us,” Shirley said.

He did not disclose bait details, but the one-two punch involves a reaction lure, followed up by a finesse fishing bait.

“Once we find the sweet spot of where the bass are holding, we can slow down and hone in on them,” Barnes said.

The best scenario for the team is to have most of those spots still saved from practice.

“Today we didn’t get to all of our fishing spots, so we have plenty of water,” Barnes added.

That can be good and bad on this fishery. During summer, a majority of the best bass fishing happens offshore. The bass favor the river-generated current that provides cooler water and attracts baitfish. The bass follow the food, meaning success hinges on being at the right place, at the right time.

Ben Muse and Taylor Cox of Carrollton High School in Texas are in third place with 19 pounds. Cox and Morgan Winegardner of Maryland are the only two females competing in the tournament.

The championship is the culmination of a season of qualifying events held throughout the U.S. and Canada. A record number of B.A.S.S.-affiliated high schools are competing in the championship — 132 qualified teams representing 37 states and Ontario.

Thursday the tournament field is cut to the Top 10 teams. Those ranked 11th through 50th will fish on Friday at Carroll County Thousand Acre Recreational Lake. The objective is to provide a second qualifying chance while bringing another level of competition to the event. The two highest finishing teams join the Top 10 for the final day Saturday on Kentucky Lake.

Thursday’s launch will take place at Paris Landing State Park at 5:30 a.m. CT. The weigh-in will take place at the same location at 1:45 p.m.

Teams are competing for $75,000 in scholarships and prizes. Schools participating in the B.A.S.S. Nation High School Nation program were eligible to qualify two-angler teams for the championship.

High school championship week includes the B.A.S.S. Youth Nation Junior Championship. On Friday, junior teams compete in a qualifying round at Carroll County Thousand Acre Recreational Lake. On Saturday, the teams fish on Kentucky Lake with the high school finalists. The B.A.S.S. Youth Nation is designed to seed the high school program.

Official hosts are Paris-Henry County, Carroll County, Northwest Tennessee Tourism and Bethel University.

Today’s Activity# Fish Lbs – OzAccumulativeName # Live # Fish # Live Lbs – Oz1 Alex Heintze – Justin Watts Livingston Parish Bassmasters 5 5 20-10 5 5 20-102 Matt Shirley – Cade Barnes Tuscaloosa County High School 5 5 20- 0 5 5 20- 03 Taylor Cox – Ben Muse Carrollton High School 5 4 19- 0 5 4 19- 04 Cole Moore – Casey Haymon Anacoco High School 5 4 18- 7 5 4 18- 75 Braden Blanchard – Cade Fortenberry St Amant High School 5 5 17-11 5 5 17-116 Brennan Swanson – Adam Hutmacher Chamberlain HS 5 5 16-12 5 5 16-127 J T Russell – Jared Turnbloom Briarwood High School 5 5 16-10 5 5 16-108 Hunter Silverstrim – Nathaniel Burris Queen City High School 5 4 16- 6 5 4 16- 69 Josh Wissinger – Justin Kanute Hayden High School 5 5 16- 0 5 5 16- 010 Taylor Ashley – Chase Kanute Hayden High School 5 5 15-13 5 5 15-1311 Hunter Bouldin – Samuel Vandagrif Warren County 5 4 15-10 5 4 15-1012 Nathan Kmiecik – Cole Luetkenhaus Bishop Newman HS 5 5 14-15 5 5 14-1513 Casey Trosclair – Levi Areno Sulphur High School 5 5 14- 7 5 5 14- 714 Cody Stahl – Tate VanEdmond Crosspointe Christian Fishing Club 5 5 14- 3 5 5 14- 315 Hunter Courvelle – Alex Erickson Sam Houston High School 5 4 13- 7 5 4 13- 716 Tyler Eagan – Jason Thompson Lees Summit West Fishing Club 5 5 13- 6 5 5 13- 617 Nathan Walley – Caleb Parker Heidelberg Academy 5 4 13- 4 5 4 13- 418 Jeremy Bates – Joshua Holden Bishop Brady HS 4 4 13- 1 4 4 13- 119 Bryson Mort – Gabe Littrell Idaho Trophy Bass Hunters 5 4 12-11 5 4 12-1120 Dillon King – Kody Kelly Livingston Parish Bass Masters – 5 4 12- 8 5 4 12- 821 Connor Nimrod – Trevor Watts Desoto Bass Team 4 4 12- 2 4 4 12- 222 Michael Arndt – Ryan Hujar New York HS Club 5 4 12- 0 5 4 12- 023 Josh Dugger – Jake Dugger Pottsville HS 4 4 11-15 4 4 11-1524 Carter McNeil – Tucker Smith Abbeville High School 5 4 11- 8 5 4 11- 825 Mason Raveling – Ben Provost Prior Lake High Schol 5 5 11- 6 5 5 11- 626 Dylan Berry – Chase Berry Madison Anglers 3 3 11- 2 3 3 11- 227 Ryan Shields – Austin Hale Hazel Green High School 5 5 10-13 5 5 10-1328 Blake Seaton – Zack Bauer Martinsville HS 5 5 10-12 5 5 10-1229 Lucas Lindsay – Logan Parks Auburn Anglers 4 4 10-10 4 4 10-1030 Dailus Richardson – Trevor McKinney Benton High School 4 4 10- 9 4 4 10- 931 Kyle Ingleburger – Kyle Palmer Grundy County HS 3 3 10- 7 3 3 10- 732 Tristan Thomas – Dakota Crumely East Hall Anglers 3 3 10- 6 3 3 10- 633 Garrett Enders – Nick Osman Susquehanna Valley 5 5 10- 2 5 5 10- 234 Joe Koon – Dozier Greer Eufaula HS 4 3 10- 0 4 3 10- 035 Grayson Cook – Bryson Galloway Windsor High School 3 3 9-13 3 3 9-1336 Bailey Nelson – John Justiss Hillcrest High School 4 4 9-10 4 4 9-1037 Ben Riggs – Nick Ratliff Hardin/LaRue 4 4 9- 9 4 4 9- 938 Zeke Gossett – Hayden Bartee Pell City High School 5 5 9- 7 5 5 9- 739 Trevor Huff – Logan Meredith Pacific Bass Anglers 3 2 9- 7 3 2 9- 740 Jacob Woods – Austin Winter Lenoir City 5 5 9- 4 5 5 9- 441 Julius Mazy – Thomas Sendek Arizona High School Club 3 2 9- 4 3 2 9- 442 Joseph Bruener – Jack Garner Douglass Indians 3 3 9- 2 3 3 9- 243 Andrew Flair – Ethan Mally Omaha Bass Assassins 2 2 8-10 2 2 8-1044 Connor Edwards – Braden Lovely American Christian Academy 4 4 8- 9 4 4 8- 945 Ian Oldenburg – Dawson Lack Pacific Bass Anglers 3 3 7-15 3 3 7-1546 Russell Butler – Jonathan North Strawberry Crest HS 3 3 7- 7 3 3 7- 747 Blake Albertson – Jordan Mullis Southside Anglers 2 2 7- 7 2 2 7- 748 Zach Hingson – Tyler Benedict Arthur Levington Atwood Hammond 3 3 7- 6 3 3 7- 649 Sean Hall – Kyler McKie North Augusta High School 2 2 6-14 2 2 6-1450 Cole Schmucker – Chandler Cornelius George Jenkins HS 3 3 6-12 3 3 6-1251 David Gaston – John McKinney Sylacauga Fishing 2 2 6-12 2 2 6-1252 Christian Mathews – Cole Ward North Desoto High School 3 3 6-11 3 3 6-1153 Josh Powers – Cole Stewart Grundy County HS 1 1 6-10 1 1 6-1054 Keaton Zarr – Michael Yarger Susquehanna Valley Fishing Club 3 3 5-15 3 3 5-1555 Michael Duarte – Richie Martin Sparrows Point HS 3 3 5-13 3 3 5-1356 Wyatt Burkhalter – Trace Greene Team Fast & Easy 2 2 5-13 2 2 5-1357 Travis Frisk – Berlin High School 2 2 5- 8 2 2 5- 858 Nick Fulks – John Eckels Canon McMillan High School 2 2 5- 4 2 2 5- 459 Nick Embrey – Bryce Tucker UKV Warriors 2 2 5- 2 2 2 5- 260 Tyler Dunn – Matthew Shrewsbury Beddingfield Bassers 1 1 5- 1 1 1 5- 161 Cooper Gallant – Danny McGarry 905 HS Bass Club 1 1 5- 0 1 1 5- 062 Kaleb Appling – Quintin Dorough Chelsea High School 2 2 4-15 2 2 4-1562 Colton Fountain – Brett Herrin Kirbyville Wildcat Bassmasters 2 2 4-15 2 2 4-1564 Austin Gaab – Jacob Jones Susquehanna Valley Fishing Club 2 2 4-14 2 2 4-1465 Dustin Johnston – Trevor Brown Beulah Bass Team 2 2 4-13 2 2 4-1366 Liam Blake – Matthew Brien McQuad Jesuit HS 2 2 4-12 2 2 4-1266 Sammy Camut – Griffin Barnes Beddingfield High School Club 2 2 4-12 2 2 4-1266 Joe McClosky – Morgan Winegardner Southern Garrett Bass Slayers 2 2 4-12 2 2 4-1269 Michael Scaggs – Derek Null Lawrence Co Hs 2 2 4-10 2 2 4-1070 Will Moffett – Kyle McCormick Franklin County High School 1 1 4- 9 1 1 4- 971 Allex Conner – Jeremy Reese Central Ohio School Bass Club 2 2 4- 7 2 2 4- 772 Jesse Heflin – Cameron Pappan Capital City HS Bass Club 2 2 4- 3 2 2 4- 373 Sam Milazzo – Nick Martens Maine South 2 2 4- 2 2 2 4- 274 Rudd Rexford – Max Bellinghiri South Burlington HS 2 2 4- 0 2 2 4- 075 Tyler Lubbat – Hunter Lubbat Buffalo Grove Bass Fishing 1 0 3-13 1 0 3-1376 Luke Jasper – Tommy Rimbo Lemont High School 2 2 3-11 2 2 3-1177 Nick Beers – Carter Williams Grand Haven Bassmasters 1 0 3- 8 1 0 3- 878 Damian Privat – David Spielberger Woodward Academy 2 2 3- 7 2 2 3- 779 Bowdi Armstrong – Emily Pollard Mesilla Valley Bass Anglers 1 1 3- 7 1 1 3- 780 Colton Haney – Noah Lindus BW Bassers 2 2 3- 6 2 2 3- 681 Evan Bramhill – Teddy Peznola Mass BN High School Club 1 1 3- 6 1 1 3- 682 Colton Harrell – Ryan Geraghty Riley’s Catch 1 1 3- 4 1 1 3- 483 Spencer Lambert – Jeffrey Tyler West Monroe Rebel Bass Club 2 2 3- 3 2 2 3- 384 Christian King – Will Nichols Alexandria High School 1 1 3- 1 1 1 3- 185 Jonathon Wilburn – Connor Jones Guntersville High School 1 1 3- 0 1 1 3- 086 Cole Burdeshaw – Jacob Hartzog Headland Bass Team 1 1 2-15 1 1 2-1587 Max McQuiade – Conner Foley MA High School 1 1 2-14 1 1 2-1488 Luke Brozovich – Canyon Kenny Minooka Anglers Club 1 1 2-14 1 1 2-1489 Bailey Fain – Justin Selvidge Lenoir City High School 1 1 2-13 1 1 2-1389 Trace O’Dell – Lucas Sammons Buna High School 1 1 2-13 1 1 2-1391 Brady Frank – Alec Schmidt Eastern IA HS Club 1 1 2-10 1 1 2-1092 Nicholas Wiggins – Lane Possoit Natchitoches Central High School 1 1 2- 8 1 1 2- 893 Eli Chambers – Hunter Herfurth Vinemont High School 1 1 2- 4 1 1 2- 494 Ryan Winchester – Jacob Mashburn Clinton High School 1 1 2- 3 1 1 2- 395 Cole Sands – Caden Watson Walker Valley High School 1 1 2- 1 1 1 2- 195 Trevor Yates – Evan Wahpekeche LIttle Axe Bass Club 1 1 2- 1 1 1 2- 197 Matt Hasenfratz – Trevor Owens Ponca City HS Bass 1 1 2- 0 1 1 2- 097 Colten Smith – Rafet White Strawberry Crest HS 1 1 2- 0 1 1 2- 099 James Graves III – Kadin Thens Madison Anglers 1 1 1-14 1 1 1-14100 Justin Barnes – Sutton Black Monroe Student Bass Anglers 1 1 1-13 1 1 1-13100 Jason Felter – Anthony Mello Idaho Trophy Bass Hunters 1 1 1-13 1 1 1-13102 Case Anderson – Grant Hodosi Grundy County HS 1 1 1-10 1 1 1-10103 Fischer Keel – Auburn Anglers 1 1 1- 9 1 1 1- 9104 Sam Morgan – Eldon Posey Grundy Co 1 1 1- 6 1 1 1- 6105 Brett Avery – Drake Vines Magnolia Bass Cats 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0105 Sam Barwick – Max Brandon Guntersville High School 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0105 Chris Bee – Alec Lipon Hartland Eagles Bass Club 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0105 Clayton Childs – Sawyer Stewart North Oconee Titans 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0105 Sean Cook – Tommy Zobel Joliet Central High School 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0105 Gil Crew – Reese Kingston Alexander HS 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0105 Dray Davis – Brandon Lawson Union County Bass Club 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0105 Andrew Denton – Scotty Alexander Mustang HS Club 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0105 Reece Eddleblute – Randy Denney Buckeye State Student Anglers 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0105 Austin Eiben – Isaiah Minton Eastern IA HS Clu b 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0105 Kameron Fox – Nathan Burrow Bryant-Conway HS 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0105 Will Garrett – Haynes Waid Auburn Anglers 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0105 Ian Goff – Genry Ellison Jackson Co Homeschool 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0105 Adan Hernandez – Alexander Holquin Mesilla Valley Bass Anglers 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0105 Joseph Kovatch – Wade Pritsel Hartley Hawgs 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0105 Andrew Marcantel – Cole Talbot Sulphur High School 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0105 Blaine Marks – Logan O’Dell Buna High School 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0105 Matt Miller – Adrian Stafford Southside Anglers 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0105 Jake Mims – Noah Rega Alexander High School 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0105 Nick Montilino – Edina HS 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0105 Noah Pescitelli – Chris Moody Mill Creek High School 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0105 Devin Prine – Trace Crumpton Buna High School 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0105 Kreston Richardson – Dalton Askew Buna High School 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0105 Tyler Spiers – Daniel Medvetz John Stark HS Bass Team 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0105 Seth Utt – Brian Moore Eastgate Life Academy 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0105 Alex Williamson – Daniel Rodgers Windham Christian Academy 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0105 Noah Winslow – Doug Marino Nonnewaug HS 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0105 Ryan Wood – Turner Mason Front Range Bass Club 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0105 Trae Wright – Tripp Hodges Sylacauga HS 0 0 0- 0 0 0 0- 0134 Tanner Bruyninckx – Brad Wilson North Augusta Fishing Team 0 0 -1- 0 0 0 -1- 0Name City,State Lbs-OzBIG BASSDay1 Jeremy Bates – Joshua HoldeCnhichester, NH 6-12Day # Live Lbs-Oz # LimitsTOTALS# Fish1 291 276 806- 9 272 0 0 0- 0 0

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