Outdoors

Kam Arrington (4) turns upfield for big yardage with DeKevin Smith (20) and Cadin Clark (63) running interference. .

Talk about multitasking! The first "Fight For 5" softball camp was organized by Lady Tiger Alumni Halli Hall as a way to not only remember a friend and team mate, but to educate the next generation of Tigers on what it means to belong to a community. Breanna Kilgore was a Lady Tiger student-athlete. A member of the 2019 State semifinal softball team, she graduated in 2020, then lost her life in a 2021 car crash. A scholarship has been established in Kilgores name, with 2022 West Sabine graduate Emma Frick being the first recipient. Frick, who spent two years as a team mate with Kilgore, returned to Pineland to assist Hall with the camp. And, as usual, long time Lady Tiger Coach Crystal Muncrief was on hand as well. More than three dozen future softball players attended the two day softball skills camp, spending quality time learning not only how to play the game, but what it means to be a member of the West Sabine community. The camp raised $800, all will be donated to the "Fight For 5" scholarship fund. Photo Submitted

West Sabine FFA headed to Fort Worth for the 94th annual Texas FFA state convention. Pictured from left to right Joe Lane, Dustin Welch, Lucas Burrows, Ryan Estes, Trevor Mitchell, Briannah McElhaney, Elizabeth Smith, Curtis Jacks, Stormi McCroskey, Cora Sepulvado, Seeley Babcock, Kadence Clark, Hannah McElhaney and Mackenzie Lowe. Photo Submitted

Aaron Tate Lane of the West Sabine FFA Receives San Antonio Livestock Show Scholarship Austin, Texas – Tate Lane, of the West Sabine FFA Chapter, will be awarded a $20,000 scholarship, sponsored by San Antonio Livestock Show at the 94th annual Texas FFA State Convention to be held July 11-15 in Fort Worth, Texas. Tate Lane was selected for his outstanding qualifications in academic achievement, leadership, SAE, FFA involvement, financial need, and personal interview.

Toledo Bend Lake Association members spent time Saturday morning organizing the 32 Double Digit Bass replicas earned by anglers who registered their catch on Toledo Bend. The annual event was held at a Cypress Bend Resort ballroom with 29 anglers receiving free fiberglass replicas of their catch, provided by the TBLA. All it takes is for the angler to weigh in a double digit bass at one of the six official weigh stations on the lake. Once the fish is documented and released live back into the lake, the angler will be added to the list for a free replica. While everyone is encouraged to join TBLA, it is not a necessity to be eligible for the program. Since 2005, TBLA has awarded over 1,100 free replicas to deserving anglers. Reporter photo by Bill Dodson

Saturday in the Cypress Bend Convention Center, a room full of fiberglass bass replicas, and a steady stream of anglers coming to pick up their trophy, while stopping to share the story surrounding their catch. Everyone has a good story, some are just a bit more unique. Jimmy Box, owner of The Tackle Box in Deridder, has one of those stories to go with his 12.16 pound fish, the largest of the double digit bass registered in the 2021-2022 TBLA Lunker program.

Pictured left to right: Anthony White, Tommy Williams, Tanner Danielsm Qwavian Smith Tristen Bragg, Jay Blake, Juicy Smith and Tayvion Williams. Photo submitted.

The Sealy Outdoors Big Bass Splash tournament was held on Toledo Bend May 20, 21 and 22. Anglers from several states battled it out to see who could catch the biggest and heaviest bass the lake had to offer. The top five winners were (pictured above from left to right) 5th place winner Rand Castle of Zwolle, LA with 8.62 pounds and a check for $2,500, 4th place winner Donny Proctor of New Braunfels, TX with 8.92 pounds and a check for $5,000, 1st place winner Jackson Cooper of Dry Prong, LA with 10.41 pounds and $100,000 Grand Prize package consisting of Phoenix 721 Pro XP..Mercury motor..MinnKota trolling motor..Lowrance Navionics..Dual Powerpoles..X2 batteries...RAM Truck..plus $5,000 cash, 3rd place winner Mark Vavak of Piggott, AR with 9.44 pounds and a check for $10,000, 2nd place winner Blake Boyer of Singer, LA with 9.69 pounds and a check for $15,000, and Founder & CEO of Sealy Outdoors Bob Sealy. Reporter photo by Kenny WIck