scenes from a semi

Another of the great, small sunken gyms of southwest Indiana, Orleans was our first stop on the 2015 boy's tourney trail.  Friday night's match ups included West Washington v. Trinity Lutheran and Orleans v. Medora.  By Saturday night the Orleans Bulldogs had shelved their 15th Sectional Championship trophy and were packing their bags for Saturday's Regional in Loogootee.  CGS.

fade to black

I'm sure the loss weighs heavily on their shoulders but when the story is finally told of the 2014-15 Barr-Reeve Lady Vikes it will be one of pride.  State 1A Runner-Up, with a record of 28-1.  We went along for a small part of their ride through Barr-Reeve, West Washington and Jeffersonville and were all the better for it.  CGS.

the road leads to jeff

For the past year & a half we've been following a trail through Indiana's basketball heritage.  At first the photos were about gyms & players and now, our lenses have showed us that this is a story about communities and a game that binds them together.  Barr-Reeve and Jac-Cen-Del are two examples of that.  Both are small 1A schools, located in rural towns that still care about tradition, family and excellence.  So, when the tournament draw lead them both to Jeffersonville we knew where are next destination would be. The fans who crowded into the home of the Red Devils got what they paid for in a game that included up tempo offense, smothering defense, momentum shifts and emotional highs & lows.  But on this day Jac-Cen-Del's toughness could not withstand Barr-Reeve's desire to move one step closer to a perfect season.  So, as the Lady Vikes travel north to Indy and the Lady Eagles to home, we journey to the boy's side of the bracket.  CGS.

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.