Anthony (left) and Ayden Malone (right) receive the star treatment as Shawn Davis from WATE-TV 6 was on hand Wednesday afternoon providing coverage of the state champs who are headed to the world championship tourney. Chris Malone, the team’s captain, watches the television interview.

JACKSBORO, TN (WLAF) – The Bass Federation’s (TBF) Tennessee Junior State Championship team, Campbell County Middle Schoolers Anthony and Ayden Malone, is headed to the Jr. World Championship. However, their old boat won’t be making the trip thanks to the folks at Norris Lake Boat Center. NLBC is providing the Malone cousins with a brand new boat.

“Anthony and I extend a great big thank you to Norris Lake Boat Center. We just figured we’d be using our old boat,” said Ayden Malone. The new 2021 Ranger Z-520 is top of the line and will be better fitted for the rigors of the mighty Mississippi River where the duo will fish next week.

This boat could well be the boat used by the new world fishing champs.

Rocky Bailey is the manager at Norris Lake Boat Center and is about as excited about the trip as the boys are. “We’re all about standing behind our community,” said Bailey.

This marks the third year in a row that the Campbell County Middle School Fishing Team has won the junior state championship making CCMS Coach Mike King proud. Mason Dople and Gabe St. John claimed the crown the two previous years.

“This is a once in a lifetime situation and one of the best times I’ve ever had fishing on the middle school team. We couldn’t be doing this without all the support we’ve had; especially our sponsors, and I can’t forget my dad, Chris, too,” said Anthony Malone.

Anthony Malone (left) and Ayden Malone, cousins, have been fishing together for about three years.

The Malones will compete with upwards of 50 teams in the July 28-30 Jr. World Championship. They’ll head out early Saturday morning with their captain, Chris Malone, behind the wheel pulling that beautiful boat compliments of Norris Lake Boat Center.

The destination is Rapid City, Illinois, and Shuler’s Shady Grove Park, across the river from Iowa and about a 150 miles west of Chicago. “It’s a good 10 hour drive from here, and we want to be there and rested before Monday’s practice round beings,” said Chris Malone.

The Malone boys have been fishing together since 4th grade as they enter the 7th grade this year at Jacksboro Middle School. “This is a good opportunity to get on the water, and I thank God,” added Ayden Malone. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 07/22/2021-6AM)

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