Dejection

"The Crater", the alias for the gym at Clifton Central, was packed with bodies elbow to elbow and as comfortable as greenhouse in late May.  Paxton-Buckley-Loda's basketball team was playing for a chance to go to state the Class 2A state tournament.

One of the best photos I've made so far this year is this image of  PBL's Dylan Overstreet and his teammates in the background watching the sectional trophy presentation to Hale Franciscan.  He and his teammates watched in silence after the Panthers were booted out of the post-season in heartbreaking 66-56 loss, one game away from playing for a Class 2A state title.

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The Panthers had a great season finishing 28-3, the second best in school history.  The last time the program enjoyed a 25 plus win season was 1996-1997 under then head coach Russ Zick.  Hale Franciscan went on to finish their season with a third place finish.

See more photos here from the game here.


Above, Paxton-Buckley-Loda's Gauge Snider and Connor Allen wipe sweat from their faces as the leave the floor in the final seconds of the game in their sectional championship game against Hale Franciscan.

Three times 15

©2010 PhotoNews

In this composite photo Cobras' Danny Winkler unloads a pitch in game one against Lewis & Clark.  When I saw the three separate images from Winkler's wind up I knew I could make something really cool out of the three images.  Winkler along with teammates Ryan Copley, and Darin Worman combined to pitch 14 complete innings without a score by the Blazers last Friday. The Cobras, last year's NJCAA Division II national champs, defeated Lewis & Clark 10-0 in the first game and 5-0 in the nightcap. The game was played at Centennial High School's field while the Parkland continues renovations at their facility.Read game story here. Click here to see more photos from this game.

Cobras Chop Down Loggers

©2010 PhotoNews

March 30, 2010 - Champaign, IL - Parkland College's Sam Inman starts her slide into second base in game two of the Cobras' doubleheader against the Loggers. Parkland College swept visiting Lincoln Land 4-1, 6-5 stretching their win streak to 8 consecutive games. Click here to see more photos from this game.