Members of the Belgreen High School fishing team earned scholarships for the performance at the 2nd Annual Timmy Horton High School Bass Anglers fishing tournament on Pickwick Lake. Pictured are (front row L to R): Boat captain Gary Don Fleming, Tori Welton, Shelton Byrd, Chris Smith, Chance Landers, Chase Landers, sponsor Emily Blanton, and Timmy Horton. Back row (L to R): Bobby Boyd, Austin Nelson. Not pictured: Ben Inman and boat captains Mike Inman and Billy Smith.

By Bart Moss

For the FCT

The Belgreen High School fishing team scored a big catch Saturday in the 2^nd Annual Timmy Horton High School Bass Anglers fishing tournament on Pickwick Lake.

Horton, a Russellville native, professional angler and outdoor television personality, along with the Colbert County Tourism and Convention Bureau organized the event.

Nearly 150 anglers representing 31 schools throughout the state of Alabama competed in the tournament. College scholarships were awarded as prizes. The senior division consisted of anglers in the 10^th through 12^th grades. The junior division consisted of anglers in the 7^th through 9^th grades.

The top individual anglers received scholarships to the college of their choice. The top teams received scholarships that could be used at Northwest-Shoals Community College.

The Belgreen Anglers took home $4,800 in scholarship money. Brothers Chance and Chase Landers finished 2^nd and 3^rd place respectively in the tournament. Chance Landers, a sophomore at Belgreen High School, earned a $2,500 scholarship to the college of his choice. Chase Landers, a senior, earned a $1,500 scholarship to the college of his choice.

Chase Murphy, a freshman at Muscle Shoals High School, won first place and a $3,000 scholarship.

Muscle Shoals High School won first place in the team division with a total weight of 74.8 pounds.

Belgreen finished second with 63.18 pounds. The second place finish by the Belgreen team earned the team an $800 scholarship to Northwest-Shoals Community College. The scholarship can be used by one member of the team.

Emily Blanton, a fourth grade teacher at Belgreen and the team’s sponsor, said the tournament was a great experience and great opportunity for the students.

“One of our favorite motto’s is, “Fishing is more than just a hobby. It’s a way of life,” Blanton said.

“Fishing isn’t for everyone, but for those who get hooked on it, it is something good for them to be involved in, and it helps keep them out of trouble. They are already very professional in their actions, they represent our school so well, and I couldn’t be prouder of their leadership and determination.”

Anglers from Phil Campbell, Red Bay and Russellville also participated in the tournament staged out of Rose Trail Park in western Colbert County.