PREPS: bball wrap-up

My last assignment for the ABH was a boys high school basketball game last night between in town private school rivals Athens Christian and Athens Academy. I looked around at the gym I've been in a dozen times for games or sportraits and it was surreal to think it was my last time there and the last time I'd see my Spartan buddies.
That surreal feeling continued when I did everything from punching in my code to enter the news building to putting my last picture in the system. As I cleaned out my cabinet, peeled pictures I had taped around, and packed away the various toys that have found their way to my desk the dizzy feeling in my head grew stronger and stronger. Close friend and fellow photographer Tricia Spaulding came up to the paper to help me before we headed to dinner and my going away party. It was like we were in this strange slow-motion dream. My hands shook a little as I pried the keys from my keyring and placed them on my bosses desk. It was really over. I was really leaving. My work station and computer were left empty, bare of any sign of the photographer that slaved, laughed, raged, goofed off, cried, and created there. An era of my life is over and it is time to move on. I only hope I don't miss this crazy life too much.

Here is a wrap up of my recent prep bball games.


Cedar Shoals' LaDondra Johnson (12) and Madison County's Lauren Smith(23) battle for the ball in the 1st period Friday Jan. 8, 2010, in Danielsville.


Madison County's Elizabeth Whieldon (15) and Cedar Shoals' Mia Cooper battle for a rebound in the 2nd period Friday Jan. 8, 2010, in Danielsville.


Cedar Shoals' LaDondra Johnson (30) shoots for 2 over Madison County's Kayla Freeman (32) in the 3rd period Friday Jan. 8, 2010, in Danielsville.


Cedar Shoals' Whitley Smith (20) shoots for 2 past Madison County's Kayla Freeman (32) in the 3rd period Friday Jan. 8, 2010, in Danielsville.


Cedar Shoals' Ladondra Johnson, left, shoots past Winder Barrow's Delorean Etabee in the 2nd period Friday night in Winder.


Cedar Shoals' Ladondra Johnson, right, shoots over Winder Barrow's Rebekah Autry, front, and Mimi Hill in the 2nd period Friday night in Winder.


Winder Barrow's Brittany Witt breaks away from Cedar Shoals' Mya Cooper for 2-points in the 3rd period Friday night in Winder.


Cedar Shoals' Ladondra Johnson, left, Winder Barrow's Emily Myer, center, and Cedar Shoals' BreeanaTaylor battle for a rebound in the 2nd period Friday night in Winder.


Social Circle's T. Bagnes shoots for 3 over Athens Academy's Bryant Shirreffs in the 2nd quarter of the Redskin's 45-43 Region 8-A victory over the Spartans Tuesday night in Athens.


Social Circle's Aaron Gaither fights for a rebound in the 1st quarter of the Redskin's 45-43 Region 8-A victory over the Athens Academy Spartans Tuesday night in Athens.


Athens Academy's Mark Sanders, right, and Social Circle's Chris Burns scramble for a loose ball in the 1st quarter of a Region 8-A match-up Tuesday night in Athens.


Athens Academy's Kalupe Booze, left, tries to swat down Social Circle's Janson Graves shot in the 2nd quarter of the Redskin's 45-43 Region 8-A victory over the Spartans Tuesday night in Athens.


Social Circle's Devon Pitts grasps a rebound over Athens Academy's Kalupe Booze in the 2nd quarter of the Redskin's 45-43 Region 8-A victory over the Spartans Tuesday night in Athens. ictory over the Spartans Tuesday night in Athens.


Social Circle's Darius Still shoots over Athens Academy's Jordan Richardson, left, and Mason Mallory during the Redskin's 45-43 Region 8-A victory over the Spartans Tuesday night in Athens.


North Oconee's Brooke Satterfield, center, and Oglethorpe County's Jessica McCommons, left, battle for a rebound in the first quarter Friday night in Bogart.


North Oconee's Jordan Binkley shoots over Oglethorpe County's Jessica McCommons in the 2nd quarter Friday night in Bogart.


Athens Academy's Davis Finney looks to pass around Athens Christian's Chaz Sheats in the second half of the Eagles' 57-34 victory over the Spartans Saturday Feb. 6, 2010, at Athens Academy.


Athens Christian's Zach Lillie battles with Athens Academy's Jordan Richardson in the first half of the Eagles' 57-34 victory over the Spartans Saturday Feb. 6, 2010, at Athens Academy.



Athens Christian's Payton Mapp, center, scores 2 points past Athens Academy defenders Nick Miller, left, and Kalupe Booze in the first half of the Eagles' 57-34 victory over the Spartans Saturday Feb. 6, 2010, at Athens Academy.


Athens Academy's Bryant Sherriffs drives past Athens Christian's Zack Resap in the second half of the Eagles' 57-34 victory over the Spartans Saturday Feb. 6, 2010, at Athens Academy.


Athens Christian's Zach Lillie shoots over Athens Academy's Mark Sanders in the first half of the Eagles' 57-34 victory over the Spartans Saturday Feb. 6, 2010, at Athens Academy.


Athens Christian's Payton Mapp, center, scores 2 points past Athens Academy P.J. Bluesing in the first half of the Eagles' 57-34 victory over the Spartans Saturday Feb. 6, 2010, at Athens Academy.