One game down. About 74 more to go.
The Washington state class 1B basketball tournament has started in Yakima. It’s the first of three four-day-long basketball tournaments to hit town. Photographing these tournaments is a hoot because of the intensity and emotion of the players, coaches and fans. Every game matters and it’s reflected in the level of play and emotions.
This is the first photo I shot of the tournaments – taken on the way into the SunDome for the first game between Bickleton High School and Lummi High School.
David Clinton shows his support for the Bickleton High School girls' basketball team at the Washington state class 1B basketball tournament which starts in Yakima Feb. 24, 2010. It has been 29 years since the team has made it to the state tournament. His daughter Katelynn plays on the team. Wednesday is the first day of the four-day tournament.
Of course we’re all excited about shooting state tournament basketball now. That excitement may have waned after three weeks of tournament, countless bad renditions of old rock tunes by school bands and days of gut-wrenching, over-cooked coffee from the 30-cup urn provided by the tournament (but hey – it’s free!).
The photo staff of the Herald-Republic will be shooting about six games a day (or more) on each day of the tournament. To see photo galleries of the tournament, go here or here.
–Gordon King
