SELMA — Thirty-eight boats took the Alabama River on Saturday and helped raise $2,500 for Alabama Teen Challenge.

Crosspoint Christian Church sponsored a bass tournament to help the group for the second straight year. Tournament director Eric Jones said he hopes it will become a yearly event.

“They asked for a fundraiser and someone mentioned a bass tournament,” Jones said. “I’ve been fishing my whole life. I hate I can’t get there and fish, I have to work the scales. It’s a faith-based organization. Whenever Jesus is involved, the church should be involved, too.”

Teen Challenge gets its money each year from the fishing tournament, a bike-a-thon, a walk-a-thon and a banquet.

Jason Easter, program director, said the events are vital to keeping Teen Challenge afloat.

“We have a budget of about $320,000 for the year,” Easter said. “It takes us about $1,100 per student a month for room and board, food, clothing and utility bills.”

Timmy Jones and Torrey Jones took first place in the tournament. Preston Phillips and Scott Phillips were second.

Churck Harris, who also won the big bass prize, was third, followed by Joe and Roger Stockman in fourth and Kevin and Tommy Jones in fifth.