As Carl Spackler said – “Cinderella Story come out of nowhere!” Caddy Shack the movie for you youngsters. The A1 Angler Development HSTT Bracket Challenge on Pontiac Lake this weekend provided to be a great Cinderella Story.
Luke and Nick Fashho were not supposed to be in the Bracket Challenge, but when the 8 Seed could not make it, the team was next in line got the “lucky dog” invite.
On Saturday morning – Round 1 they faced their Eastside Elite clubmates, 1 Seed Dionne and Waters and knocked them out by a 1.07lb margin at the scales sending the 1 Seed home. Eastside’s Club Advisor/Boat Capt. Chad Hilliker said to the team “you beat us, now go win this thing.” During the Saturday’s afternoon Round 2 they faced Zeeland’s 3 Seed Dickerson and Aldrich and sent them packing by 1.98lbs which set them up for the Finals against Policka and Jolman from Fruitport.
Policka and Jolman came in as the 5 Seed and dispatched Fagan and Adams 4 Seed (MI Bass Bandits) in the first round by only .46 oz and Tithof and Hardeback 2 Seed (Grand Haven) by 1.55lbs.
Championship Sunday brought wind, pouring rain, and 50-degree temps. Both teams met at the launch and blasted off together. The bite was a “lot tougher” during the championship and both teams struggled to catch the 3 bass limit. Policka and Jolman managed 1 keeper during the 4-hour round and Fashho and Fashho did not catch their 2 keepers until the last 15 minutes.
At the scales Fashho and Fashho bested Policka and Jolman by 1.55lbs to take the Championship and punch their ticket to B.A.S.S. 2023 H.S. Nationals.
Both teams indicated they enjoyed the Bracket format and hoped to be a part of something similar in the future. Policka and Jolman were gracious in the loss and indicated “it was great being on some new water the last couple of day and we learned a lot… Good luck to Nick and Luke and we hope to see them there."
After a few interviews by Bent Skeg Media @bent.skeg.media and some @aftcofreshwater clothing and gift cards presented by @a1_angler_dev the team was off to @thebaitshop in Waterford for a $500 spending spree. Special thanks to Mark Malvich,Bait Shop owner who not only has a great selection of any kind of fishing needs but also gave the winning team Bait Shop hoodies.
None of this happens without our great partners – A1 Angler Development and The Bait Shop!
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