For some it is the end of an era, a culmination of four or more years of hard work, and a final chance to show out on high school fishing’s biggest stage in Louisiana. For some, its just the start of great things to come. For everyone else, it is one of the best examples of competition, sportsmanship, and enjoyable recreation on the water. The big event is the Louisiana Bass Nation High School Championship. With junior and high school anglers, the event has drawn over 130 boat teams to compete with over 110 boat teams vying for the high school state championship. Across a field representing what appears to be nearly 50 different schools and organizations, from individuals competing as a team, to teams with nearly 10 boats, the field is not short on competition. Littering the field are names our readers will be well familiar with including numerous teams and anglers from defending state champions Central High School, coached by Philip Lemmler. Central anglers include: Hayden, Connor, Cayden, Connor, Logan, Robby, Victoria, Emma, Scott, Dakota, Cooper, Cayman, Savannah, Keely Ana, Luke, Jacob, Arlen, Hinesley, Cade, Brady, Matthew, Connor, Matthew, and Nathan (hopefully we didn’t leave anyone out). Other powerhouse anglers and schools represented include: Peyton Grizzafi and Robert Blanchard of Morgan City High School, Lutcher High School, Walker High School, and many more. The event even includes talented newcomers to high school competition like Livonia Fishing team member Garrett Whittington.
Louisiana High School State Championship
May 2021, Volume 125
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With so many names, teams, and so much talent, it is truly difficult to keep track of all the action. After an intense day one on Saturday May 8th that included idle only notices, out of bounds maps, some apparent rules violations, and strong competition, defending state champions Central High School was atop the team leaderboard. Individual teams atop the day one leaderboard included (from first to fifth places): Highland Baptist Christian team Hunter Neuville & Avery Derouen (17.20 #), Vanderbilt Catholic HS team Roman Robichaux & Dylan Folse (15.75#), East BR Bassmaster team Jordan Sylvester & McVay Stockwell (13.66#), Live Oak HS team Chance Shelby & Tyler Jordan (13.31#), and Central High School team Luke Miller & Jacob Tullier (13.28#). Morgan City High’s Peyton Grizzaffi & Robert Blanchard were sitting in 12th with 11.45#.
As if a full day of competition on the water wasn’t enough, some anglers, including many from the Central High School team, immediately left after weigh in to go take part in the Prom festivities. After a fun filled evening and some rest, the field blasted off Sunday looking to make a move with even more notices of idle only boundaries, and a brisk wind with temperatures forecast for the mid 80’s and good cloud cover. With a tough day one in the books, the anglers set out to make moves on day two.
With a weather change and a shift in competition, day two saw some big bags in clutch times. Bringing in a second straight solid bag to go with their day one biggest sack was the champion team of Hunter Neuville and Avery Derouen of Highland Baptis Christian with a two day total of 28.93. With only minor jockeying in the top five, East BR Sylvester & Stockwell finished second with a two day total of 28.62#, Thibodaux and Delatte of Lafourche finished third with a two day total of 27.82#, Live Oak HS team of Shelby & Jordan hauled in a two day total 26.80#, and the team championship Assumption Mustangs team anchors Alexander Blanchard and Noah Deshotel rounded out the top five with a two day total of 26.71#. An impressive showing by all teams, the Assumption Mustangs pulled out the overall team state championship. Over 110 teams fished the event and weighed nearly 1,500 pounds of greenbacks over the two days. A testament to the skill, talent, and determination of these young anglers.
Following the championship event, numerous anglers went on to sign with various colleges to continue their fishing careers at the collegiate level. We would like to congratulate each and every one of these young sportsman on their already successful careers and wish them the best as they compete on bigger stages to come.
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Livonia High School Team Adam Newton and Garrett Whittington pose with one of their catches in the tournament.
Central High School Duo Keely Ana Strickland and Savannah Walls locked in after skipping out on their senior prom to fish the championship event.