East Lincoln, 2A State Champions

Tarboro defensive back Aaron Moore, left, breaks up a pass intended for East Lincoln receiver Jesse Earnhardt in the end zone during the NCHSAA 2A state championship game at Wake Forest University on Saturday December 1, 2012.

East Lincoln receiver Tyler Brock reacts after catching a touchdown pass in the second half during the championship game.

East Lincoln receiver Jesse Earnhardt outruns a host of Tarboro defenders.

East Lincoln receiver Jesse Earnhardt catches a pass as Tarboro defensive back Najee Brown takes a tumble.

Jack Rhodes congratulates his son, East Lincoln linebacker Justin Rhodes, after they defeated Tarboro.

East Lincoln running back Marquis Pharr dives into the endzone past Tarboro defenders Radja Bobbitt, left, and Quentin Roberson.

Football Highlights 2012

Cherryville defenders Darius Harris, left, and Ryar Davis attempt to intercept a pass intended for Bessemer City's Asante Sanders during the game at Bessemer City on Friday September 21, 2012. The pass was incomplete.

South Point fans cheer the Red Raiders during the game at Ashbrook on Friday September 28, 2012. 

Crest defensive back Michael Smith attempts to block an extra point attempt from South Point kicker Aaron Camp, with Diontrea King holding, during the game at South Point on Friday November 9, 2012. The kick was good, but Smith was able to successfully block an extra point attempt later in the game.

Ashbrook students do the wave as Assael Mendoza runs by with an Ashbrook flag during the game against South Point at Ashbrook on Friday September 28, 2012.

South Point fan Drew Sprinkle, 7, does his signature dance move, the 'Sprinkler,' during the game against Crest at South Point on Friday November 9, 2012.

More soccer highlights

Ashbrook's Austin Johnson, left, and Fred T. Ford's Kenan Ruffner head the ball simultaneously on Saturday November 3, 2012 at Ashbrook.

Pfeiffer's Kaitlin Sampson jumps over her keeper Britt Polly as she dives on the ball ahead of a charge from Belmont Abbey's Ananda Gebreyesus during the Conference Carolinas Championship match at Belmont Abbey on Saturday November 3, 2012.

Belmont Abbey players Abby Walton, from left, Ashley Minda and Juliana Stalzer celebrate after their 1-0 victory over Pfeiffer in the Conference Carolinas Championship match at Belmont Abbey on Saturday November 3, 2012.

Getting ahead

Ashbrook's Shannon Kay heads the ball during overtime in the match against South Point on Thursday April 19, 2012 at Ashbrook. Kay scored the sole goal of the match. 

Basketball Highlights

Highland Tech's Josh Neely, bottom, wins a rebound over Hayesville's Weston Jordan during the NCHSAA Western Regional semifinal game in the UNC-Greensboro Fleming Gymnasium on Wednesday February 29, 2012.

I don't have any statistics to back this up, but I believe that this past season I covered the fewest basketball games of any year since I began working for a newspaper. That's partly because there were only a few good teams this year, but mostly because The Gazette had more stringers than ever covering games. 

The highlight for me was definitely Highland Tech in the NCHSAA Western Regional Semifinal in Greensboro. I've said it before, but the Fleming Gymnasium at UNCG is a fantastic venue for basketball. 

They have broadcast lighting, ample room to move around on the sidelines, and a balcony over one of the baskets. 

Did I mention they have a balcony over one of the baskets? 

This type of shot is something you typically only see from NBA and major college games in arenas with a catwalk. And even then rarely, since it requires some special access, planning and time to pull it off. 

But if you can get it, it's always worth it. Since much of the peak action of a basketball game is under the rim, with players looking up, this lets you get all the facial expressions instead of armpit.  

Hayesville's Justin Gonyea, left, and Clint Coleman guard Highland Tech's Jevon Patton in the final minutes of the NCHSAA Western Regional semifinal.

Highland Tech's Joe Deese, clockwise from top, Hayesville's Weston Jordan, Highland's Robert McMillion-El and Hayesville's Hunter Lewis jump after a rebound during the NCHSAA Western Regional semifinal.

Belmont Abbey's Paula Regalado and Limestone's Kaileigh West jump after a rebound during the game at Belmont Abbey on Friday February 24, 2012.

Belmont Abbey's Darryl Durham and Limestone's Phillip Moultrie jump for a rebound during the game at Belmont Abbey on Friday February 24, 2012. 

Gazette Cup 2011

Ashbrook's Dustin Ferris left, and Forestview's Dale Rauch head the ball during the Gazette Cup final at Poston Park on Saturday August 27, 2011. 

Ashbrook's Ivan Lopez takes a spill as Forestview's Hunter Ballard gains control of the ball.

Forestview goalkeeper Cole Poole catches the ball as Asbrook players, including Danny Cullum, left, charge the crease.

Ashbrook's Gustavo Laverde, left, and Forestview's Boo Davis head the ball.

Forestview players, including Boo Davis, from right, Brent Johnson and Dale Rauch celebrate after Rauch scored a goal against Ashbrook in overtime during the Gazette Cup final at Poston Park. The goal was the only point in the match.

Score!

South Point's Haley Stewart, left, pats teammate Katie Sneathen on the helmet after Sneathen ran in to score during the game against North Gaston on Thursday April 21, 2011 at South Point.

Track stars

Bessemer City's Tray Good leaps the last hurdle to win the boys' 300m hurdles with a time of 41.44 seconds during the Gaston County track and field championships at Ashbrook on Wednesday April 6, 2011.

South Point's Tyler Bray leads the boys' 400m dash on his way to winning with a time of 51.94 seconds. Forestview's Sham Williams, right, finished fifth.

Basketball Action

Belmont Abbey's Shayla Jackson, left, makes a shot past the block of Pfeiffer's Christina Harvey during the game in the Wheeler Center on Saturday January 22, 2011.

Night shift newspaper photographers shoot a lot of basketball this time of year. Here are some highlights from the past few weeks.

Highland Tech's Derrick Shuda, right, blocks as Lincolnton's Michael Cunningham attempts a shot during the game at Highland Tech on Friday January 21, 2011.

Lincolnton's Jessica McCleave, from left, Chelsea Slentz and Katie Reeder celebrate after defeating Highland Tech with only seconds on the clock in overtime at Highland Tech on Friday January 21, 2011.

Ashbrook's Justin Byrd drives jumps to take a shot past South Point payers, from left, Quintin Reeves, Patrick Truesdale and Taylor Williams during the game at Ashbrook on Friday January 28, 2011.

South Point's Quinton Reeves, left, blocks a shot by Crest's Demarrio Mintz as Crest's Jonathan Bullard looks on during the game at South Point on Friday February 11, 2011.

Holiday Hoops Action

Lincolnton's Larone Studirant, left, and West Lincoln's Dylan Jenkins go after a rebound during the People's Bank Holiday Classic at North Lincoln on Wednesday December 29, 2010.

West Lincoln players Jamie Harkey and Molly Leatherman, clockwise from top left, Lincolnton's Bridgett Derr, West Lincoln's Erica Webb and Lincolnton's Jazmine Killian struggle for control of a loose ball during the first round of the People's Bank Holiday Classic on Wednesday.

Touchdown Pass

Cherryville's Dashaun Brooks, left, makes a touchdown reception over Bessemer City defender Damian Scott to end the first half at Cherryville on Friday October 29, 2010.

Prep Soccer Action

Forestview goalkeeper Anderson Gibbons dives to make a save as teammate Justin Henry, center, attempts to defend Ashbrook's Marc Del Castillo, during the match at Ashbrook on Wednesday October 20, 2010. 

Ashbrook's Carlos Loazia, left, celebrates with teammate Juan Villa after scoring a goal against Forestview.

Gazette Cup Action

Ashbrook's Connor DeHaven, left, makes a header over South Point's Nate Propst during the Gazette Cup final at Poston Park on Saturday August 28, 2010.

Check out the full gallery from the final.

...and galleries from other fames in the tournament:

Thursday's games

Wednesday's games

Three Ways to Fly

Here's three pictures of Burns' Darius Lowe at full extension in the air getting tackled, diving into the endzone, and leaping after a fumble during a preseason jamboree scrimmage against East Gaston. Just a coincidence that I got all three similar shots of the same guy in three totally different situations.

Baseball Action

Helms makes the throw to first for the double play as Kinston Post 43's C.J. Bradshaw slides in to the bag.

Post 67's Stephen McKinney throws the ball to home as he runs down Post 58's Mike Smith on July 19. Smith was tagged out at home.

Discus Remote

Northern Nash's Mitchell Wells releases his discus during a track meet at Nash Central. Wells won the discus event with a throw of 125 feet and 1.5 inches.

This is a shot I've wanted to do for a while, shooting a discus throw with a remote camera in front of the ring. I recently bought the pre-trigger cord I needed to fire a remote camera with a pocket wizard--just in time for the one track meet I shot this year (too bad, since track and field is one of my favorite sports to shoot).

So here it is, my first remote shot. Not bad, but there's room for improvement for sure.

Check out a gallery of all my images from the meet.

Basketball Action (Part 2)

Northern Nash's Tim Hendricks, above, jumps for a lay up on Feb. 5 past the defense of Nash Central's Jamund Rogers, left, at Nash Central.

Wrestling Action

Northern Nash's Xavier Anistead, right, and Havelock's Michael Newoy grapple Thursday in the 135 pound match during a third round state playoffs match at Northern Nash High School. Newoy won with a pin.

Below: Northern Nash's J.R. Freeman is hoisted in the air by Havelock's Ray Davis in the 145 pound match. Bottom: Northern Nash's Kris Horton and Havelock's Jacob Harmon wrestle in the 160 pound match.