February 8, 2015;
Event expected to double next year, huge high school bass tournament coming up in May…
You could feel the ‘lure’ of fishing season Saturday, as the first annual LCHS Sports Gear Swap Meet and Flea Market was held February 7, at the LCHS Cafeteria from 9:00-4:00.
Brandon Meddings, Head Coach of the LCHS Bass Club oversaw the event, and said for the first year, the turnout was pretty good. “One vendor sold out by 10:00” he said. Concessions were available, and everyone had a chance to check out all the fishing equipment waiting to be ‘reeled’ in.
Assistant Coach, Melvin Lawhorn, actually brought the idea of the sports gear event to the club. Lawhorn used to work with the Boyd County High School Bass Club, and said the event grew to be very large there.
The swap meet and flea market is not just for fishing gear, but all sports related items; with the exception of guns, knives and bows, due to being held on school property. The idea is to give sports enthusiasts a chance to buy, sell, and trade their items, while raising money for the LCHS Bass Club, which was just started in the Lawrence County School System two years ago.
“The club has doubled from last year” Meddings said. Two students have qualified for nationals; Michael Scaggs, and Derek Null.
The regional qualifier tourney for the KY BASS Nation will be held this year at Yatesville Lake on Saturday, May 23. Coach Lawhorn said at least 25 schools will be participating. “This is going to being a lot of people into the area” he said.
Meddings said he hopes to see the bass club continue to grow. “We would like to have girls involved as well.” He explained that this sport can also involve the family. “The student has to have a boat captain, which can be a father, grandfather, or other family member.”
He said he expects the swap meet and flea market to double next year, and hopes it grows into a huge event. Lawhorn said in an earlier interview that the event could even include RV’s and boats. All proceeds from the meet go to the LCHS Bass Club.
Vendors and supporters present at Saturday’s event included some members of the Louisa Bass Club, Danny Raines from Yatesville Bait and Tackle and Ricky and Nathan Perry from Anger Baits in Catlettsburg. There was even a table set up with some items for the ladies including purses, wallets, and other items.
There will be a bass tournament open to everyone taking place in May, a couple weeks prior to the high school tournament. For more formation on these events, contact Brandon Meddings at Brandon.meddings@lawrence.kyschools.us or call 606-638-9676, or Facebook: LCHS Bass Club.
