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Phillip Murphy and Martin Sevenstar, Cherokee National Holiday Bass Tournament first place winners.

TAHLEQUAH, OK - Phillip Murphy and Martin Sevenstar won first place in the 6th Annual Cherokee National Holiday Bass Tournament at Chicken Creek South. More than 20 teams entered this year’s tournament. Area merchants treated entrants to lunch and $2700 in door prizes.

Winners were awarded cash prizes and plaques. Murphy and Sevenstar also caught the biggest bass of the day, weighing in at 3.52, and adding an extra $150 to their prize money.

"We've been fishing the tournament since it first started, we came in third a couple of years back, today we were lucky", Sevenstar said.

John Mouse, Cherokee Nation Health Facilities Worker and tournament coordinator, is looking forward to next year’s tournament.

"We didn’t have as many boats this year, but next year we expect a bigger turn out", Mouse said. "We plan to have a drawing for a boat and guarantee $1000 prize for first place; we may give jackets and plaques too. Next year should be a real good tournament."