Story line – NYS BASS Fed Team Championship, Chautauqua Lake.  Bemis Point, N. Y. August 23^rd, 24^th 2008.

Crown City Bassmasters successfully defended their NYS Team Championship by narrowly edging out a tough Rochester Bassmasters Club by less than 1 pound to bring home their second state title in as many years.  The Crown City Bassmasters Team of John Badman, Joe Laurino, Nick Giamei, Rosie Rosenberger, Joe Matt and Jeff Pettibone weighed in over 130lbs of bass during the two day event.

Leading the day one charge for the team was team rookie Joe Laurino who posted a bracket buster bag of over 21 pounds of Largemouth bass.  Joe also finished as high man on the squad and earned a position on the NYS Divisional Team.  At the conclusion of day one the team was trailing Rochester Bassmasters by over 2 pounds.

Anglers were greeted with sunny skies and a light South wind for the day 2 send off at 0615.  Tension was high as less than 10 pounds separated the top 6 teams.  High man for the Crown City team on day 2 was Nick Giamei as he was the first team member to make his way across the weigh in stage and put a 14.33 lb sack on the scales, closely followed by Joe Laurino with another impressive bag of just over 13lbs.  All eyes this day were on veteran Jeff Pettibone as he was the last man to weigh in.  Jeff weighed in just 6 pounds on day 1 and everyone was doubtful that he could catch enough bass.  Prior to the morning take off all team members told Jeff he needed to catch 10 pounds for a chance to seal the win.  Anxious moments passed as Jeff set his final catch on the scales that totaled 11.84 pounds.  The team's cumulative weight totaled just over 130lbs and concluded the come from behind win.