Straughn anglers win first place at Smith Lake tournament; SHS finishes third overall

Published 11:00 am Thursday, March 9, 2023

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The Straughn High School fishing team competed in an Alabama Student Angler Bass Fishing Association tournament at Smith Lake as Devon Singletary and Shye Davis won first place on Saturday, March 4.

Devon Singletary, left, and Shye Davis finished first place overall and had the first-place boat at Smith Lake. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

Singletary and Davis’s team was named the first-place boat in the competition after collecting approximately 17.69 pounds of fish. They each received a $750 scholarship and a Halo fishing rod for the win. SHS earned a third-place overall finish at Smith Lake. In a competition held Saturday, Feb. 18, at Lake Jordan, the two boys earned second place boat and were awarded a $500 scholarship with a Halo fishing rod.

“First off, I want to say how proud I am of these young men. They have really come a long way in just the second year of our fishing program,” Head Coach Benjy Wilson said.

The team started the year with a second-place finish in a tournament held at Lake Jordan.

“This really helped in our team standings in the state. The second tournament of the season was really good for us. The team of Devon Singletary and Shye Davis took first place overall, and the team of Ryan Moore and Grayson Cannon finished in the top 20 out of 135 teams. This helped in moving Straughn up in the state rankings for sure. This is a great accomplishment for only our second season,” he added.

This year’s team members are Rex Burkett, Kalel Savage, Devon Singletary, Shye Davis, Ryan Moore, Grayson Cannon, Isaac McMath, Drayden Whitten, Rylan Pettie, Austin Alexander, Brooks Clark, Chappel Clanton, Easton Carter, Evan Ray, and Bryson Harrison. Parents/captains are Clint Burkett, Tommy Singletary, Roger Moore, Kenneth Jones, John McMath, Gary Meadows, Jordan Pettie, Chad Alexander, Andy Clanton, Casey Ray, and Jeremy Harrison.

“We have a bright future with our junior division. These guys are catching on quick and are very excited about what lies ahead. The boys are all learning to work together as a team, and that isn’t easy to do in tournament fishing, but we are getting closer and closer every day. Our boat captains have really gone above and beyond to get these young men in position to have the opportunity to catch fish and finish well. We really do have a great team all the way around,” Wilson said.

He expressed gratitude to all those who make the season possible.

“I can’t say enough about our parents and community, and the support from our sponsors is tremendous. We wouldn’t be able to do this without their help. I love the fact that these young men are learning life skills, ups and downs, and getting to fish and enjoy the outdoors at the same time.”

The second annual Straughn fishing team will host a bass fishing fundraiser tournament Saturday, April 22, at Cypress Landing on Gantt Lake. Take-off will be at 6 a.m. or safelight with weigh-in scheduled for 2 p.m. Cost is $125 per boat and $10 per person with the top three finishers receiving payback. First place receives 60 percent; second place receives 30 percent; third place receives 10 percent. The individual winner will receive 75 percent payback. Combos consisting of a hamburger, chips, and a drink will be sold on-site for $10.

For more information call Wilson at 334-222- 2511 or visit the Straughn High School Fishing Team Facebook page.