CALVERT CITY — For the second time in school history, South Laurel High School is home to the Bass Fishing State Championship.
The girls’ bass fishing team of Hailey Anderson and Brooklynn Martin of South Laurel captured the 2024 Operation UNITE Bass Fishing State Championships presented by UK HealthCare Girls’ State Championship, while Martin also earned the Girls’ Big Bass Award (4 pounds, 7 ounces).
The duo of Anderson and Martin dominated the competition, finishing with a state tournament-best 10 catches for a total weight of 25 pounds, 3 ounces, more than 10 pounds than the state runner-up.
Anderson and Martin took control early in the state tournament by catching five fish on Friday for a weight of 12 pounds, 11 ounces while continuing to dominate on Saturday with five catches totaling 12 pounds, 8 ounces.
“That’s a a big accomplishment,” South Laurel coach Jep Irwin said. “They both really work hard just, and just came off winning the region for the second straight year.
“I really had a feeling that they could do it, and they’re did,” he added. “They had done pretty good last year. I thought they had confidence to do it, and they make a good team and have a good boat captain.”
Both Anderson and Martin were joined by boat captain Michael Anderson.
“They beat some good fishermen,” Hammonds said. “We have a lot of good boat captains and our kids fish in a lot of tournaments, and they’re really do well in them. They also enjoy fishing and competing. We thank the good Lord that we had this opportunity to accomplish this. The last time South Laurel won state was in 2019.”
