the picture, revisited

On February 22, 2014 I photographed the Jac-Cen-Del Lady Eagles before their morning Regional game at Southwestern (Shelbyville). JCD won that game and also the evening championship, propelling them into the SemiState.  Three nights ago (February 23) I captured a nearly identical scene as the Lady Pacers of Switzerland County were about to face off against North Posey at the Paoli Regional - a game that SwitzCo would win.  To be honest, I'm not sure what to say or think about the similarities.  What I do know is that both moments were special & I feel humbled to have shared them with these fine young athletes. CGS. 

west washington

A few miles east of Paoli, in the middle of farm country, is a step back in time - back to when a fieldhouse was where your  team played.  And on this cold February night, West Washington was rockin'.  The first game, with Springs Valley defeating Borden, was in the books and the 26-0 Lady Vikes of Barr-Reeve were taking on the Wood Memorial Lady Trojans from Oakland City.  The 27th challenger to the only unbeaten girl's team in Indiana, Wood Memorial was worthy and physical, but in the end they became another tally on Barr-Reeve's march to the SemiState. CGS.

paoli

Paoli was not planned.  If Saturday's Girl's Regional games had not been postponed we would have traveled to West Washington in the morning & Bedford North Lawrence at night.  But this was no longer Saturday and here we were, just to scout or so we thought.  It's amazing how seductive bright lights, wooden bleachers and purple trim can be.  To top it off, one of the teams we knew well, the Lady Pacers of Switzerland County, were playing the North Posey Lady Vikings in the first matchup of the evening.  Game on.  It was close, well into the second half, but the Lady Pacers eventually gained control, winning 45-39.  Although they would lose the championship game on Tuesday night, an Elite Eight appearance is certainly something special for the folks in Vevay.  CGS.

on hold

On tap for this weekend - Orleans @ Shoals (boys) or Loogootee @ Northeast Dubois.  Cancelled.  1A Regional girls opening rounds at West Washington. Postponed.  4A Regional girls finals at Bedford North Lawrence. Postponed. So much for 4 wheel drive. CGS.

connersville

Welcome to the Spartan Bowl - welcome to the home of champions.  This is what 57 Sectional, 20 Regional and 2 State titles looks like - this sunken gym that holds almost 6000.  Many of the places we have visited have pageantry, mascots, cheerleaders, dance teams and pep bands, but the feeling here is different.  Like the difference between new money and old.  On this cold day in February the boys lost to New Palestine and later, the girls fell in Sectional play to Richmond.  But, not to worry Spartan fans, history tells us that champions do rise again.  CGS.   

cambridge city

Cambridge City Lincoln High School, Valentine's Day 2015, 2A Girl's Sectional Final, Hagerstown (20-4) vs. Union County (14-10).  The tournament trail has brought us north to US 40, the old National Road, on a night punctuated by snow squalls and dropping temps.  But not to worry, things heated up quickly inside the home of the Lincoln Golden Eagles as the favored Hagerstown Lady Tigers faced off against the Union County Lady Patriots, winners of six in a row.  The refurbished 1959 gym was an explosion of color - yellow & blue accents filled with fans adorned in red, royal and purple.  Momentum shifts, good defense and low scoring told the tale of the night, as Hagerstown eventually pulled away for a 32-24 victory and a fifth Sectional crown.  Another great small school game, another gem of a gym. CGS.