State Basketball Championships

"Whitney Young's Marcus Jordan (5) and Ahmad Starks (3) celebrate a basket by teammate Sam Thompson (not pictured) as Waukegan's Mike Springs (1), Aaron Johnson (20) and Colin Nickerson (30) react to the call late in the fourth quarter of the IHSA Class 4A State Basketball Championships at Carver Arena in Peoria, Saturday, March 21, 2009. Whitney Young defeated Waukegan 69-63 to capture the title."

I spent the last two (long) days photographing the Illinois Class 4A State Basketball Championships in Peoria. I was there to cover one of our local schools, Dundee-Crown, who laid two eggs (read: back-to-back 21 point losses). Dundee-Crown had a great season and ran through the playoffs but the talent of Waukegan, Thornton and Whitney-Young were miles above anything that the Chargers had to offer. 

I stuck around to shoot the fourth quarter and post game celebration of a great championship between Whitney-Young and Waukegan. NBA legend Michael Jordan's (yes, THE Michael Jordan) son, Marcus, plays for Whitney-Young so it was a real circus to cover but it made for a great story line as Marcus led Whitney-Young to the championship. Both teams are stacked with NCAA Division I prospects which made for a real March madness atmosphere. I have never seen a more intense high school basketball game with exorbitant talent ever, period, end of story. Imagine the best high school players in the nation on one court playing as if they are in a Michael Jordan commercial and you basically have the game tonight.

I had to take advantage of the opportunity to cover the championships so I brought along enough gear to more than cover my bases. In all I brought four Canon 1D Mark II bodies, and six lenses ranging from 16mm to 300mm and a case full of grip and safety equipment. I ran two remotes each night from a few different angles and ended up making a few nice images. I guess all that gear drew some attention because Peoria Star-Journal staffer Fred Zwicky came over to introduce himself and find out who was this "kid" with more gear than him which I got a little kick out of.

Here are some of my favorite images from the weekend:

"Whitney Young celebrates their 69-66 victory over Waukegan in the IHSA Class 4A State Basketball Championship at Carver Arena in Peoria, Saturday, March 21, 2009."

"NBA Legend Michael Jordan, father of Whitney Young guard Marcus Jordan, applauds Whitney Young's 69-66 victory over Waukegan in the IHSA Class 4A State Basketball Championship at Carver Arena in Peoria, Saturday, March 21, 2009."

"Waukegan guard Quan Conner (24) leaps over Whitney Young forward Antonio Johnson (33) in the fourth quarter of the IHSA Class 4A State Basketball Championship at Carver Arena in Peoria, Saturday, March 21, 2009. Whitney Young captured the state title with a strong fourth quarter performance in the 69-66 victory."

"Whitney-Young forward Sam Thompson (25) fouls Waukegan guard Quan Conner (24) in the fourth quarter of the IHSA Class 4A State Basketball Championship at Carver Arena in Peoria, Saturday, March 21, 2009. Whitney-Young defeated Waukegan 69-66 to capture the state title."

"Thornton guard Jamal Gray (34) flies in for the easy bucket against Dundee-Crown guard Gregory McNally (left) in the second quarter of the IHSA Class 4A State Basketball Consolation Game at Carver Arena in Peoria, Saturday, March 21, 2009. Thornton defeated Dundee-Crown 73-52."

"Dundee-Crown center Charles Kimbrough (33) slams the ball home in the first quarter of the IHSA Class 4A State Basketball Consolation Game against Thornton at Carver Arena in Peoria, Saturday, March 21, 2009. Kimbrough contributed four points, three rebounds and three blocks in the 73-52 loss."

"Dundee-Crown starters, from left, Charles Kimbrough, Aaron Reams and Justin Strzelczyk sit dejected on the bench as the the clock ticks down in Waukegan's 67-46 victory over the Chargers in the IHSA Class 4A State Basketball semi-finals at Carver Arena in Peoria, Friday, March 20, 2009."