College: Championship Saturday begins

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It’s the final day of the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Eastern Tour presented by Bass Pro Shops and all 32 of the remaining teams in the field were at the Lake Cherokee launch early on Saturday a.m. Their punctuality was rewarded with a slightly earlier start than expected – 6:15 a.m. EST rather than the scheduled 6:30 a.m. slot.
It’s the final day of the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Eastern Tour presented by Bass Pro Shops and all 32 of the remaining teams in the field were at the Lake Cherokee launch early on Saturday a.m. Their punctuality was rewarded with a slightly earlier start than expected – 6:15 a.m. EST rather than the scheduled 6:30 a.m. slot.
No matter what, B.A.S.S. is going to honor America with the playing of the Star Spangled Banner before every day of every tournament. On a beautiful morning like Saturday, it was especially touching to see all the young collegians standing silently, staring intently. They’re all deep in thought this morning and know a big day is in store.
No matter what, B.A.S.S. is going to honor America with the playing of the Star Spangled Banner before every day of every tournament. On a beautiful morning like Saturday, it was especially touching to see all the young collegians standing silently, staring intently. They’re all deep in thought this morning and know a big day is in store.
Bethel University’s Brad Ableman and KJ Queen honoring the flag.
Bethel University’s Brad Ableman and KJ Queen honoring the flag.
Bryan College’s Nathan Bell bows his head.
Bryan College’s Nathan Bell bows his head.
Now it’s time to fish. Bell, left, and teammate Cole Sands get ready to blast off from the TVA Dam Ramp on Cherokee Lake. This duo won Bassmaster College Series Eastern Regional on the fishery last season and is confident that experience could mean big things on the final day. They began the day in fifth place with 27-14.
Now it’s time to fish. Bell, left, and teammate Cole Sands get ready to blast off from the TVA Dam Ramp on Cherokee Lake. This duo won Bassmaster College Series Eastern Regional on the fishery last season and is confident that experience could mean big things on the final day. They began the day in fifth place with 27-14.
That’s the Auburn University duo of Logan Parks and Lucas Lindsay. The team is in sixth place with 26-13 through two days.
That’s the Auburn University duo of Logan Parks and Lucas Lindsay. The team is in sixth place with 26-13 through two days.
And that’s Brian Pahl, foreground, and John Garrett of Bethel University passing through Saturday morning’s boat check. The tandem is in eighth place and is looking not only for a win today, but to take the lead in the Team of the Year standings.
And that’s Brian Pahl, foreground, and John Garrett of Bethel University passing through Saturday morning’s boat check. The tandem is in eighth place and is looking not only for a win today, but to take the lead in the Team of the Year standings.
Bryan College’s Johnathan Peck, front, has his eyes on the fob that was tossed to him at boat check. Partner Griffin Heffington is behind him at the wheel.
Bryan College’s Johnathan Peck, front, has his eyes on the fob that was tossed to him at boat check. Partner Griffin Heffington is behind him at the wheel.
Hunter Stewart and Luke Slaton of the University of North Georgia are ready for the day. They’re in 16th place with 25-9; just more than 4 pounds behind leaders Cully Scroggins and Nathon Portch of Bethel.
Hunter Stewart and Luke Slaton of the University of North Georgia are ready for the day. They’re in 16th place with 25-9; just more than 4 pounds behind leaders Cully Scroggins and Nathon Portch of Bethel.
Logan Brewster and Chase Dawson on the University of Tennessee are well within striking distance of the led with 25-0 (18th overall.)
Logan Brewster and Chase Dawson on the University of Tennessee are well within striking distance of the led with 25-0 (18th overall.)
The final few boats head through the channel to the open water of Cherokee Lake.
The final few boats head through the channel to the open water of Cherokee Lake.
That’s the 32nd place team of Coastal Carolina University’s Jonathan Kelley and Rickey Wood Jr. They were the final boat to launch this a.m. and they only trial Scroggins and Portch by just under 6 pounds heading into Saturday’s last day of fishing. It’s expected to be a tight finish with the leaderboard that crowded. Tune into Bassmaster.com at approximately 3 p.m. to catch the final weigh-in live from Carson-Newman University.
That’s the 32nd place team of Coastal Carolina University’s Jonathan Kelley and Rickey Wood Jr. They were the final boat to launch this a.m. and they only trial Scroggins and Portch by just under 6 pounds heading into Saturday’s last day of fishing. It’s expected to be a tight finish with the leaderboard that crowded. Tune into Bassmaster.com at approximately 3 p.m. to catch the final weigh-in live from Carson-Newman University.