High School: Southern Open weigh-in

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It’s noon at Lake Guntersville, and the 2016 Costa Bassmaster High School Southern Open weigh-in is two hours away. Parents and supporters already have their spots staked out to cheer on their teams.
It’s noon at Lake Guntersville, and the 2016 Costa Bassmaster High School Southern Open weigh-in is two hours away. Parents and supporters already have their spots staked out to cheer on their teams.
An hour before weigh-in, the tents go up and the fans do, too. Represented are 112 high school B.A.S.S. fishing club teams from eight states.
An hour before weigh-in, the tents go up and the fans do, too. Represented are 112 high school B.A.S.S. fishing club teams from eight states.
Tailgating is in full swing as parents from Hillcrest High School in Tuscaloosa, Ala., get ready for the team’s arrival.
Tailgating is in full swing as parents from Hillcrest High School in Tuscaloosa, Ala., get ready for the team’s arrival.
The parents will cook and prepare about 75 hot dogs and hamburgers for the hungry team. They do this all the time, as you can see by the assembly line.
The parents will cook and prepare about 75 hot dogs and hamburgers for the hungry team. They do this all the time, as you can see by the assembly line.
The scene across the street looks like a tailgate party at a Saturday afternoon college football game.
The scene across the street looks like a tailgate party at a Saturday afternoon college football game.
Hometown supporters from Guntersville High School came early to stake out a prime spot for their tent.
Hometown supporters from Guntersville High School came early to stake out a prime spot for their tent.
So did the parents and supporters from nearby Arab High School.
So did the parents and supporters from nearby Arab High School.
The sponsor banner is proudly displayed inside the tent for Brookwood High School, located in a suburb of Birmingham, Ala.
The sponsor banner is proudly displayed inside the tent for Brookwood High School, located in a suburb of Birmingham, Ala.
A community-based team from Santa Rosa County, Fla., is here, too. The team has high school anglers from Pace and the surrounding area near Pensacola.
A community-based team from Santa Rosa County, Fla., is here, too. The team has high school anglers from Pace and the surrounding area near Pensacola.
A Bassmaster Elite Series angler lives near Hayden High School. He is Gerald Swindle.
A Bassmaster Elite Series angler lives near Hayden High School. He is Gerald Swindle.
Between Hayden and Swindle’s home lake -- Smith Lake -- is Cold Springs. The team fished the tournament.
Between Hayden and Swindle’s home lake — Smith Lake — is Cold Springs. The team fished the tournament.
Up the road is Athens High School, not far from the tournament waters of Lake Guntersville.
Up the road is Athens High School, not far from the tournament waters of Lake Guntersville.
The Auburn Anglers are like many teams with tents. Sponsors are shown appreciation in the banners.
The Auburn Anglers are like many teams with tents. Sponsors are shown appreciation in the banners.
Anglers young and old of all skill levels try out the new reels at the Shimano Experience.
Anglers young and old of all skill levels try out the new reels at the Shimano Experience.
The team from Rehobeth High School is among the first to walk to the scales.
The team from Rehobeth High School is among the first to walk to the scales.
Nearby are brothers Samuel and Matthew Vandergriff of Warren County High School in Tennessee.
Nearby are brothers Samuel and Matthew Vandergriff of Warren County High School in Tennessee.
The first flight arrives at 2 p.m. for a weigh-in of 322 boats that will take about three hours to complete.
The first flight arrives at 2 p.m. for a weigh-in of 322 boats that will take about three hours to complete.
The first flight is at the tanks as the weigh-in is about to get underway.
The first flight is at the tanks as the weigh-in is about to get underway.
Before that happens, Hank Weldon welcomes the crowd and explains how the weigh-in will unfold.
Before that happens, Hank Weldon welcomes the crowd and explains how the weigh-in will unfold.
Jon Stewart, B.A.S.S. Nation director, treats the crowd to a solo performance of singing the national anthem.
Jon Stewart, B.A.S.S. Nation director, treats the crowd to a solo performance of singing the national anthem.
The crowd from eight states stands as the flag is honored.
The crowd from eight states stands as the flag is honored.
The weigh-in is underway as Laney Skipper and Taylor Owens weigh their catch for Rehobeth High School, located in south Alabama near Dothan.
The weigh-in is underway as Laney Skipper and Taylor Owens weigh their catch for Rehobeth High School, located in south Alabama near Dothan.
The Vandagrif brothers weigh their catch that eventually puts them in 10th place for the tournament finish.
The Vandagrif brothers weigh their catch that eventually puts them in 10th place for the tournament finish.
Sean Hall and Kyler McKie of North Augusta High School in South Carolina with their catch, which eventually puts them in third place for the tournament.
Sean Hall and Kyler McKie of North Augusta High School in South Carolina with their catch, which eventually puts them in third place for the tournament.
Jake Mims holds the 7-pound, 2-ounce largemouth that won him Big Bass honors. He’s with teammate Noah Rega from Alexander High School in Douglasville, Ga.
Jake Mims holds the 7-pound, 2-ounce largemouth that won him Big Bass honors. He’s with teammate Noah Rega from Alexander High School in Douglasville, Ga.
Garrett Jones and Brianna Tucker finished eighth with 17-13. They will represent Hartselle High School in Alabama at the Costa Bassmaster High School Championship.
Garrett Jones and Brianna Tucker finished eighth with 17-13. They will represent Hartselle High School in Alabama at the Costa Bassmaster High School Championship.
Tyler Wagnon and Lucas Terry finished fifth for East Limestone High School.
Tyler Wagnon and Lucas Terry finished fifth for East Limestone High School.
Wade Sneed and Cody Gunter finished sixth place for Rhea County High School in Tennessee.
Wade Sneed and Cody Gunter finished sixth place for Rhea County High School in Tennessee.
Tyler Eagan and Noah Lewis finished ninth place for Lees Summit West High School Fishing team of Missouri. The team caught 17-12 at Lake Guntersville.
Tyler Eagan and Noah Lewis finished ninth place for Lees Summit West High School Fishing team of Missouri. The team caught 17-12 at Lake Guntersville.
Cole MacDonald and Kyle Calvert finished fourth for Good Hope Fishing Team with 18-12.
Cole MacDonald and Kyle Calvert finished fourth for Good Hope Fishing Team with 18-12.
Reid Connor and Laura Ann Foshee of Gardendale High School in Alabama finished 11th place with 17-7.
Reid Connor and Laura Ann Foshee of Gardendale High School in Alabama finished 11th place with 17-7.
Supporters from Tuscaloosa County High School get ready for what’s next.
Supporters from Tuscaloosa County High School get ready for what’s next.
That is team members Andrew McDaniel and Dax Ewert, who caught 18-1 to finish in seventh place.
That is team members Andrew McDaniel and Dax Ewert, who caught 18-1 to finish in seventh place.
Third place went to Tyler Lubbat and Matt Runge of the Buffalo Grove Bass Fishing Team in Illinois.
Third place went to Tyler Lubbat and Matt Runge of the Buffalo Grove Bass Fishing Team in Illinois.
Tournament winners Ryan Winchester and Jake Lee of Clinton High School.
Tournament winners Ryan Winchester and Jake Lee of Clinton High School.
Sean Hall and Kyler McKie with their second-place plaques.
Sean Hall and Kyler McKie with their second-place plaques.
Tyler Lubbat and Matt Runge take home third-place plaques.
Tyler Lubbat and Matt Runge take home third-place plaques.