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.

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. 

Best of 2011: Prep Football

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Prep football season came to a rather anticlimactic close for me a few weeks ago. Unlike previous years when it seems like I covered one or two teams extensively throughout the year, this year I was all over the place.

I saw a few good games (or first halves, anyway), got a few good pictures, but never felt really inspired. Maybe it's just that I'm in my fourth year of being a newspaper photographer and it's starting to feel like I've done it all before.

In any event, enjoy this slideshow of some of my best pictures from this past season.

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.

Just Missed It

Lincolnton defensive lineman Jamie Stamper celebrates after Lincolnton recovered a ball fumbled by Polk County during the playoffs game at Lincolnton on Friday November 26, 2010.

Lincolnton defensive back Jonathan Sherrill, left, nearly intercepts a pass intended for Polk County receiver Ryan Thomas during the playoffs game at Lincolnton on Friday November 26, 2010. Sherrill was unable to maintain control of the ball as he went to the ground.

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.

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.

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.

Best of 09': Volleyball

I'm enjoying the calm before the storm of winter sports kicks into full swing, and looking back on some of my work from the fall. Here, for your viewing pleasure, is the best of my volleyball pictures from this past season. Click on the pics for details.

State Champs!

Tarboro's Brandon Richardson, above, rallies his team after they defeated Burnsville Mountain Heritage in the 2-A state championship game Friday Dec. 11 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill. Burnsville Mountain Heritage defender Clay Parker, below, tackles Tarboro running back Chris Lane Friday.

Tarboro running back Chris Lane, above, was named the offensive player of the game.

Shedding tears of joy, Tarboro's Takoby Cofield, right, walks onto the field with teammates Jamias Williams, center, and Darrius Staton after Tarboro's victory. 

Tarboro's Markell Pettaway shows off the 2-A state championship trophy.

Football Illustrations

Each Friday this fall we ran a piece of feature art with the prep preview story in the Telegram. For several of the biggest games I did a photo illustration.  This one is for the biggest game of the regular season around here--the cross-county rivalry of Tarboro and SouthWest Edgecombe.

I composited elements from about 9 different pictures to make the train picture below. I still like the concept, but being my first real attempt at such a large scale composite I now look back and see a lot of little things I could have done differently.

Please note: no football players were harmed in the making of these photographs. =)

Steal!

East Gaston's Denzell Hosch steals the ball from Alexander Central players Kendall Morris, left, and Jonathan Dockery, right, during game action at East Gaston High School on Wednesday February 25, 2009.