Jones carries Hartselle at Prattville

Drew Stanfield, Rose Ellie, Garrett Jones and Blake Gowen pose for a photo after the Prattville tourney. | Special to the Enquirer: Charlie Clemons

Garrett Jones, a member of the Hartselle High Fishing Club single-handedly came out on top in the Cooter’s Pond Fishing Tournament in Prattville on Saturday.

The Hartselle Junior High School seventh grader finished first in the 72-boat event with a catch weighing 12 pounds and 24 ounces.

Another Hartselle team consisting of Joseph McAnally and Brantley Wiley, finished just above the top 10 in the tournament with a catch of almost 8 pounds.

Jones and his partner Aaron Henslee fished together during a trial run on Friday, but Henslee had to leave in order to be a pallbearer at his grandmother’s funeral on Saturday. This left Jones to fish alone under an observer.

Jones and Henslee qualified to compete as a team in the State High School Fishing Tournament at Ingall’s Ramp in Decatur on May 21.

Two other teams from the Hartselle Club previously qualified for the state event based on their finish in qualifying tournaments. They are Kyle Lybarger and Grant Shelton and Brad Vice and Tanner Phillips.

“I’m pleased that Hartselle will have three teams competing at state,” said coach Charlie Clemons. “I think it speaks well of the club in its first year of competition.”

“The fishing club receives no financial support from the school and its members are on their own when it comes to meeting expenses associated with their competitions,” Clemons pointed out. “We’d welcome any help we can get from the public.”

Donations may be made to the fishing club at the offices of Hartselle High or Hartselle Junior High.