With the local high school sports season starting up, here is a look at some of the Upper Valley bass fishing teams hitting the water in 2026.
In Vermont, White River Valley will look to defend its state championship with a new man in charge, Daniel Huff. Hartford is also gearing up to make a run at a championship, with Art Rafus in his first year as head coach.
Over in New Hampshire, Mascoma is looking to bring a state championship back to its school with a good crop of returning athletes. At the same time, Lebanon is trying to build on its success from a season ago, when it was the runner-up at the state tournament.
Hartford
Coach: Art Rafus (1).
Top Returners: Seniors — Ben Potter; Juniors — Darius Irish-Allen, Owen Hosmer; Sophomores — Henry DeSchamp, Tyler Osgood.
Newcomers: Sophomores — Ayden McGuire; Freshmen — Nathan Howard, Jayden Lowry.
Lebanon
Coach: Mike Anikis (11).
Last Year: Runners-up at NHIAA state tournament.
Top Returners: Juniors — James Barkley Jr., Sam Lacasse, Sophie DiDomenico; Sophomores — Tucker Camp.
Newcomers: Eleven new freshmen boys.
Coach’s Analysis: “We are looking to challenge for the state championship title. We were third two years ago with James Barkley Jr. and Hannah Giguere, runner-up last year with James Barkley Jr. and Sam Lacasse, and we are looking to gain the top podium in the next two years. If we make the state championship tournament, it is on the lower Connecticut River, which challenges teams to become familiar with that stretch of river. Anglers James Barkley Jr. and Sam Lacasse have been working since last year to challenge for the state championship.” — Mike Anikis
Mascoma
Coach: Eric Moulton (8).
Last Year: Qualified for NHIAA tournament and finished sixth.
Top Returners: Seniors — Lincoln Butterfield; Juniors — Brayden Gillies, Kaula Moreno; Sophomores — Connor Sullivan, Hunter Miller, Jaxon Butterfield.
Newcomers: Freshmen — Mathew Rand, Kailir Moreno.
Coach’s Analysis: “I’m really excited about the upcoming season. We have a strong group of returning anglers, and several of them have been putting in a lot of work during the offseason to prepare for the year ahead. As a team, we’ll need to continue bringing focus, determination and a strong work ethic to every practice as we build our skills and knowledge. There are some very talented teams across the state again this year, and we’ll need to be at the top of our game if we want to compete for another championship. I was proud of what we accomplished last season and where we finished, but I know both I and the team have our sights set on bringing that state championship banner back to Mascoma this year.” — Eric Moulton
Newport
Coach: Ross Dole
White River Valley
Coach: Daniel Huff (1).
League: VPA Division I.
Last Year: State champions.
Top Returners: Seniors — Kaleb Huff, Arden Riesterer.
Newcomers: Freshmen — Kasey Bradley, Trenton Geno, Seth Perkins, Colby Richardson.
Coach’s Analysis: “We’re off to a strong start this season. Practices have been going very well, and the team’s dedication to the sport is as strong as ever. We hold practices three times a week, but many of our students fish year-round and also compete in tournament trails outside of school. This past summer, Paul (Feeney — former head coach; now assistant) and I took the varsity and JV members from last year’s state championship team to the TBF High School World Championship in Kentucky. Competing against more than 430 teams from across the country and several other nations, the boys finished just above the middle of the pack. It was a great experience, and they gained valuable knowledge and skills that they’ll bring back with them this season. Our team practices all aspects of bass fishing, including fish biology, anatomy and habitat. Our goal is not only to teach them how to fish, locate fish and become consistent anglers, but also to help them understand how teamwork, dedication and the drive to achieve success in this sport can carry over into life after school. We hope these lessons help them become successful, motivated, and happy in whatever path they choose.” — Daniel Huff
