FROM STAFF REPORTS

For the fourth consecutive year, 12 standout high school anglers have been selected as members of the exclusive Bassmaster High School All-American Fishing Team presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods, including Shelby County High School student Ethan King.

“We are proud to welcome an exceptional group of anglers to our 2018 class of High School All-Americans,” said Bruce Akin, B.A.S.S. CEO. “This class has a rare combination of tournament success, leadership skill and community involvement, and we can’t wait to see how they shape the future of our sport and our industry.”

A junior at Shelby County High School, King has tallied an impressive three wins and three top 20 finishes in the past 12 months. Among others, he earned a first-place finish in the 250-boat field Alabama Student Angler Bass Fishing Association State tournament on Neely Henry Lake.

Off the water, King participates in BackPack Buddies — a program that supplies food for children in need when they’re not in school.

“Ethan exhibits many leadership characteristics such as determination, commitment, and integrity,” said Shelby County Athletic Director Casey Crumpton. “He is an outstanding role model for the underclassman on our fishing team.”

More than 465 applications from students grades 10-12 were submitted from 38 states across the nation. Of those, 64 were chosen as Bassmaster All-State anglers.

After reviewing tournament résumés, community service activities and recommendations from coaches and school officials, a panel of judges further narrowed the field to the top 12 high school anglers in the country.

King was the only student from Alabama chosen for the top 12.

Being part of the team, King has been invited to participate in a special Bassmaster High School All-American fishing tournament that will be held in conjunction with the 2018 Toyota Bassmaster Texas Fest benefiting Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, a fan-favorite tournament and festival that will be held May 17-20 on Lake Travis in Jonestown, Texas.

Elite Series anglers will serve as teammates and “coaches” of the student anglers in the tournament. The high school standouts will be honored on the main Texas Fest stage at the weigh-in.

The other students chosen include Alec Berens, Channahon, Ill.; Spencer Childers, Jasper, Ga.; Cal Culpepper, Hamilton, Ga.; James Gibbons, Timmonsville, S.C.; Karson Hamilton, Hot Springs, Ark.; Tyler Lubbat, Wheeling, Ill., Thomas Martin, Marquez, Texas; Garrett McWilliams, Florence, Miss.; Dalton Smith, Brandon, Miss.; Samuel Vandagriff, McMinnville, Tenn.; and Jacob Woods, Loudon, Tenn.