2018 Girls State Basketball Recap
Eight teams all going for that championship trophy 🏆. For three days in Lincoln, that is what every player, coach & fan is focused on = the championship.
But for me, the Nebraska state basketball tournament is more than just going to the 'ship. I mentioned it on the Wednesday before state and I'll mention it again = I love seeing all of the people. Fellow media members, NSAA workers, esteemed coaches, fantastic players and tons of amazing fans of basketball. The social part of the state tournament might be my favorite.
This year was no different. For each of the three days, I photographed games for three different entities - the Beatrice Daily Sun, Striv TV and Callam Sports Photo.
Most of my photo recap is in chronological order of the tournament. Thanks for looking & reading. I know I am not the best writer, but here is my recap!
###
On Thursday night, I covered the Beatrice Lady Orange for the Beatrice Daily Sun (link to the Thursday game recap). That was with Luke Nichols, who I work with throughout the year. Can't say enough about Luke. One of the easiest guys to work with and has been tremendously valuable contact & friend to have in southeast Nebraska. Thursday's Beatrice game versus Sidney was the first time I covered the Lady Orange this year as I tend to usually see Class C & D teams. It was easy to see just how much fun they had the last part of the season with huge wins to get to the state tournament.
Prior to that game, I watched Platteview fall to South Sioux City. Games like Platteview-SSC are another reason why I love the state tournament. It was the first time I got to see Platteview senior Payton Brotzki. Even though I see a ton of basketball all year, there are so many great players across the state that I don't get to see until the big tournament. Just in recent basketball history, I specifically remember photographing Lincoln Christian's Chloe Dworak & Westside's Quinn Weidemann at previous state tournaments. Both from teams that I usually don't see until the tournament.
And that is one reason why I like shooting for Callam Sports Photo. Sure, there are some disadvantages (long hours, photograph EVERYTHING). But it is fun to cover new teams & new players. I can't even name all of the fantastic basketball players I have been able to photograph at state.
###
Friday brought another crazy day (did I mention I was also working my regular day job during state?) After working late, I went back to the Bob Devaney Sports Center to cover Exeter-Milligan for Striv. You can see some of that work on the StrivTV Instagram page. The Striv team (including, but not limited to Taylor, Eric, Austin, Sara, Tony, etc) bring their A game to every endeavor. This year at state, Striv produced the pregame video that played on the big screen at Pinnacle Bank Arena for each championship game. If you missed that, you missed one of the best hair-raising moments as each crowd roared when their team was highlighted.
Anyway, I was able to cover Exeter-Milligan on Friday in the semifinal round. I got there early enough to see my friends from Falls City Sacred Heart come away with an overtime victory against Hyannis. Both teams are not ones that I usually cover for the Daily Sun. But I usually see at least one of them at the MUDECAS Basketball Tournament or at a Striv event. I digress... there are better stories recapping these games, so in short, it was great to see probably the most dramatic moment of Sacred Heart's tournament run to clinch back-to-back state titles (third in four years) when a senior made her first career three pointer with less than 10 seconds in regulation to force overtime.
That was my Friday. It ended chatting with numerous students who with Striv, helped broadcast all semifinals on the NFHS Network and captured footage for the pregame hype video. Another little moment. There just aren't enough hours to spend time with all of the great people who run, cover & participate at state basketball. Because in only a few hours, Saturday's championships started.
###
I photographed Saturday's finals for Callam Sports Photo. My session was the last three games (C2, A & D2). Some of the names that just jump off the page include Superior's Kalynn Meyer and Teghan Sullivan. Omaha Westside's Quinn Weidemann. Fall City Sacred Heart's seniors Abby Fiegener, Lauren Parrish and Sara Wertenberger. All fun players to watch. All champions.
Let's face it - if it weren't for kids like these, going to the state tournament wouldn't be the same. They aren't the only ones that desire recognition. There's the girls basketball team from Auburn who qualified for state for the first time since 1978! There's Malcolm's Jack Tarr & KWBE's Bryan Cook, both honored by the NSAA for their distinguished work. There's fellow photographers John Peterson, Greg Blobaum, Steve Branscombe & Michael Callam -- just a few of the photographers shooting for Callam. Thanks for a great girls basketball tournament. See you all in a few days for the boys' tourney!
I guess that is about 700 words too many. You came here for the photos, right? Well enjoy! Congrats again to all state-tournament qualifying teams. And your six state champions!
- Marcus
