Sunday I watched the Georgia Lady Dogs get outpaced, out shot, and out played in every way by underdogs South Carolina. I'm approaching my last assignment in Georgia Sunday when I'll be shooting the Lady Dogs and my Alma Mater Alabama for AP. Fitting that it should be a battle between Georgia and Alabama since it is those places I've been torn between for so long. I predict Alabama is winning based on my analogy. Today was my first day not working for the Athens Banner-Herald. Yesterday I almost forgot since it was my normal off day, but today not getting up to go to work felt...strange. It took me most of the day to get motivated to do any packing. As real as this has become it still somehow doesn't feel it. I'm ready for the next few weeks to pass and for new life to get underway. This limbo feels uncomfortable already.
South Carolina's Ashley Bruner (21), left, battles for a rebound with Georgia's Jasmine Hassell in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Athens, Ga., on Sunday, Feb. 7, 2010.
Georgia's Ashley Houts, left, and South Carolina's Samone Kennedy scramble for a loose ball in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Athens, Ga., on Sunday, Feb. 7, 2010.
Georgia's Ashley Hout takes a shot during an NCAA college basketball game in Athens, Ga., on Sunday, Feb. 7, 2010.
Georgia coach Andy Landers screams at a referee over a call during his team's 52-42 loss to South Carolina in an NCAA college basketball game in Athens, Ga., on Sunday, Feb. 7, 2010.
Georgia fans dressed in colorful fullbody leotards dance in the stands during a timeout of the Georgia Lady Dogs 52-42 loss to South Carolina in an NCAA college basketball game in Athens, Ga., on Sunday, Feb. 7, 2010.
South Carolina's Valerie Nanima (31) shoots over Georgia's Ashley Houts (1) during South Carolina's 52-42 win in an NCAA college basketball game in Athens, Ga., on Sunday, Feb. 7, 2010. Houts was called for a foul on the play.
South Carolina's Ashley Bruner (21) and Ieasia Walker (14) run off the court after their 52-42 win over Georgia in an NCAA college basketball game in Athens, Ga., on Sunday, Feb. 7, 2010.
I've been shooting several Georgia Women's basketball games for the Associated Press this season. I shot their loss to South Carolina this afternoon, but wanted to catch up on some games I haven't posted first. My last day of work at the Athens Banner-Herald was yesterday, but the game today and the one I'm shooting next Sunday against Alabama are my last photo assignments in Athens.
Georgia 61, Florida 52
Georgia's Ashley Houts (1) takes a hit to the nose from Florida's Jennifer George (32) in the second half of Georgia's 61-52 win during an NCAA college basketball game in Athens, Ga., on Sunday,Jan. 10, 2010.
Georgia's Jasmine James (10) drives the ball past Florida's Lonnika Thompson (2) in the first half of Georgia's 61-52 win in an NCAA college basketball game in Athens, Ga., on Sunday,Jan. 10, 2010.
Georgia's Ashley Houts (1) battles to maintain possession of the ball with Florida's Jordan Jones (33) and Sharielle Smith (24) in Georgia's 33-26 halftime lead during an NCAA college basketball game in Athens, Ga., on Sunday,Jan. 10, 2010.
Georgia's Angel Robinson (33) goes up for 2 points past Florida's Azania Stewart (13) in the second half of Georgia's 61-52 win during an NCAA college basketball game in Athens, Ga., on Sunday,Jan. 10, 2010.
Georgia's Porsha Phillips (21) and Florida's Jennifer Mossor (22) battle for a rebound in the second half of Georgia's 61-52 win during an NCAA college basketball game in Athens, Ga., on Sunday, Jan. 10, 2010.
Ole Miss 66, Georgia 65
Georgia's Ashley Houts (1), top, gives up a turnover to Mississippi's Bianca Thomas in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Athens, Ga., on Sunday, Jan. 24, 2010.
Georgia's Jasmine James drives past Mississippi's Kayla Melson in the 1st half of an NCAA college basketball game in Athens, Ga., on Sunday, Jan. 24, 2010.
Georgia's Meredith Mitchell (11) snags a rebound out of the reach of Mississippi's Bianca Thomas (45) in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Athens, Ga., on Sunday, Jan. 24, 2010.
Georgia's Jasmine Hassell (12) shoots over Mississippi's Nikki Bryd (22) in the second half of MIssissippi's 66-65 upset victory in an NCAA college basketball game in Athens, Ga., on Sunday, Jan. 24, 2010. Hassell scored a game high of 20 points.
Georgia's Angel Robinson grimaces on the hardwoods after spraining her ankle and foot in the lst half of Georgia's 66-65 loss to Mississippi in an NCAA college basketball game in Athens, Ga., on Sunday, Jan. 24, 2010.
Mississippi's Bianca Thomas (45) snags a rebound during the first half of Mississippi's 66-65 upset over Georgia in an NCAA college basketball game in Athens, Ga., on Sunday, Jan. 24, 2010. Thomas scored 10 points including the game-winning 3-pointer.
Georgia's Jasmine Howell (12) tries to block Mississippi's Shantell Black (11) in the 2nd half of Mississippi's 66-65 victory in an NCAA college basketball game in Athens, Ga., on Sunday, Jan. 24, 2010.
Georgia's Ashley Houts doubles over after Georgia's 66-65 loss to Mississippi in an NCAA college basketball game in Athens, Ga., on Sunday, Jan. 24, 2010.
Mississippi head coach Renee Ladner hugs Elizabeth Robertson after Mississippi's 66-65 upset victory over Georgia in an NCAA college basketball game in Athens, Ga., on Sunday, Jan. 24, 2010.
I'm starting to feel like I live at Stegeman Coliseum. I spent 2 hours there this afternoon for a Signing Day press conference and then about 4 hours for men's hoops against Arkansas tonight. I'll be spending Friday evening there for a Gym Dogs meet and back for more basketball Saturday night for what will be my last Athens Banner-Herald assignment. Then I'll be there again Sunday for a women's basketball game I'm shooting for AP. As I approach the end of my time in Athens I've started looking at my surroundings through a sentimental filter, including good ole Stegeman. Soon I will have to say goodbye to the community of photographers I've gotten to know there. I'll have my last pre-game conversation with Diana, the lady that guards the tunnel. I'll sit on the hardwoods, inches from the action, for one last game with no guarantee I'll ever find my way back there in any arena. This is a tremendously scary time for me. I'm trading in doing my passion full-time so that I have the chance to experience more life, rather than just documenting it. During the bball game tonight an Arkansas player ran full force for a ball bouncing out of bounds and had to do some acrobatics in the air to miss plowing into me. I was already bracing for the hit when suddenly he was soaring above me. I felt like I'd been given a gift. It reminded me that for now I'm ready to hang up being on the photo frontlines everyday.
Georgia's Jeremy Price scores 2 points over Arkansas' Glenn Bryant in the first half of the Bulldogs' 72-68 loss to Arkansas Wednesday Feb. 3, 2010, at Stegeman Coliseum.
Georgia's Ricky McPhee breaks away from Arkansas' Julysses Nobles to score 2 points in the first half Wednesday Feb. 3, 2010, at Stegeman Coliseum.
Georgia's Chris Barne fights for an opening in the first half. The Arkansas Razorbacks beat the Georgia Bulldogs 72-68 Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2010, at Stegeman Coliseum.
The Georgia Dance Dogs perform during a timeout in the second half of the Bulldogs' 72-68 loss Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2010, at Stegeman Coliseum.
Arkansas' Marshawn Powell pulls in a rebound before Georgia's Albert Jackson (34) in the 2nd half of the Bulldogs' 72-68 loss Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2010, at Stegeman Coliseum.
Georgia's Trey Thompkins dunks over Arkansas' Marshawn Powell in the second half of the Bulldogs' 72-68 loss Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2010, at Stegeman Coliseum.
Georgia's Albert Jackson dunks in the second half of the Bulldogs' 72-68 loss Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2010, at Stegeman Coliseum.
Georgia fans in colorful full body leotards cheer on the Bulldogs in the second half of their 72-68 loss to Arkansas Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2010, at Stegeman Coliseum.
Arkansas' Mike Washington dunks past Georgia's Zlovaric Drazen in the second half of the Bulldogs' 72-68 loss Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2010, at Stegeman Coliseum.
Georgia's Jeremy Price fouls Arkansas' Marshawn Powell in the second half of the Bulldogs' 72-68 loss Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2010, at Stegeman Coliseum.
Georgia's Dustin Ware is fouled in the second half of the Bulldogs' 72-68 loss Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2010, at Stegeman Coliseum.
The Arkansas bench can taste victory in the final seconds of the Razorbacks 72-68 win over the Georgia Bulldogs Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2010, at Stegeman Coliseum.
Georgia players from left Drazen Zlovaric, Albert Jackson, Chris Barnes, and Jeremy Price watch in the final minutes of the Bulldogs' 72-68 loss to Arkansas Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2010, at Stegeman Coliseum.
Georgia coach Mark Fox shows his distress as the Bulldogs' lead is diminished in the 2nd half of their 72-68 loss to Arkansas Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2010, at Stegeman Coliseum.
I'm approaching my last week as a staff photographer with the Athens Banner-Herald. I turned in my two week notice Tuesday after months of agonizing over the direction to take with my life and career. In a few short weeks I'll be moving back to my hometown in Alabama to join my family's business and freelance on the side. As hard as it is for me to leave the people and things I love about this job and city it is time for me to make a change. I've wanted to shoot basketball from the catwalk at Stegeman Coliseum for a couple years now. I knew time was running out last Saturday when I covered the Georgia vs. Tennessee men's game so I took the opportunity to experience some high hoops. After climbing to the top of the coliseum, up two ladders, and making my way across the shaky gridded catwalk I discovered very quickly that I hadn't thought of something very important. The buzzer which sounds probably 100 times a game was just a couple feet from my head as I leaned over to shoot the action below. Within minutes my head was pounding and I even thought my ears might be bleeding! I only stayed up high for half the game, returning to the safety of the ground with one of the worst headaches of my life. If there is a next time you better believe I'll be sporting some high quality earplugs. I'm glad I did it though. I don't want to leave anything behind that I wish I did.
Georgia coach Mark Fox gives a pep talk to his players before the Bulldogs' 78-63 victory over Tennessee Saturday at Stegeman Coliseum.
Georgia's Albert Jackson , left, and Tennessee's Kenny Hall go up for the tip-off in the first half of the Bulldogs' 78-63 victory Saturday at Stegeman Coliseum.
Georgia's Jeremy Price dunks over Tennessee's Sklyar McBee (13) in the first half of the Bulldogs' 78-63 victory Saturday at Stegeman Coliseum.
Georgia's Chris Barnes, left, and Trey Thompkins defend a shot by Tennessee's Wayne Chism in the first half of the Bulldogs' 78-63 victory Saturday at Stegeman Coliseum.
Georgia's Chris Barnes is surrounded by a pack of Tennessee defenders as they try to wrestle the ball away in the first half of the Bulldogs' 78-63 victory Saturday at Stegeman Coliseum.
Tennessee head coach Bruce Pearl yells to the court in the first half of the Bulldogs' 78-63 victory Saturday at Stegeman Coliseum.
Georgia's Trey Thompkins dunks in the first half of the Bulldogs' 78-63 victory Saturday at Stegeman Coliseum. Thompkins led the Bulldogs with 21 points and 8 rebounds.
Tennessee's Wayne Chism receives medical attention on the hardwoods in the first half of the Bulldogs' 78-63 victory Saturday at Stegeman Coliseum.
Georgia gathers around coach Mark Fox during a timeout in the first half of the Bulldogs' 78-63 victory Saturday at Stegeman Coliseum.
Tennessee's Bobby Maze, top, and Georgia's Jeremy Price, left, watch as the ball rolls into the basket for 2 Georgia points in the first half of the Bulldogs' 78-63 victory Saturday at Stegeman Coliseum.
Georgia's Trey Thompkins dunks in the first half of the Bulldogs' 78-63 victory Saturday at Stegeman Coliseum. Thompkins led the Bulldogs with 21 points and 8 rebounds.
Georgia's Jeremy Price, right, knocks away a shot by Tennessee's Scotty Hopson in the first half of the Bulldogs' 78-63 victory Saturday at Stegeman Coliseum.
Tennesse's J.P. Prince, left, shows frustration with teammate Kenny Hall after a missed opportunity in the first half of the Bulldogs' 78-63 victory Saturday at Stegeman Coliseum.
Georgia's Jeremy Price dunks in the first half of the Bulldogs' 78-63 victory Saturday at Stegeman Coliseum.
Georgia's Jeremy Price, top, is greeted by teammates Dustin Ware, left, and Travis Leslie after dunking the ball in the first half of the Bulldogs' 78-63 victory Saturday at Stegeman Coliseum.
Georgia's Chris Barnes, center, battles for a rebound with Tennessee's Wayne Chism in the first half of the Bulldogs' 78-63 victory Saturday at Stegeman Coliseum.
Georgia's Travis Leslie and Tennessee's Scotty Hopson (32) battle for a rebound in the first half of the Bulldogs' 78-63 victory Saturday at Stegeman Coliseum.
An enthusiastic Georgia fan covered in peanut butter cheers during the second half of the Bulldogs' 78-63 victory over Tennesee Saturday at Stegeman Coliseum.
Georgia mascot Hairy Dawg gives a piggyback ride to a Dance Dawg in the first half of the Bulldogs' 78-63 victory Saturday at Stegeman Coliseum.
Georgia's Chris Barnes (4) goes up for a shot with Tennessee's Wayne Chism (4) defending in the second half of the Bulldogs' 78-63 victory Saturday at Stegeman Coliseum.
Georgia's Dustin Ware is fouled by Tennessee's Bobby Maze in the second half of the Bulldogs' 78-63 victory Saturday at Stegeman Coliseum.
Tennessee head coach Bruce Pearl yells to the court in the second half of the Bulldogs' 78-63 victory Saturday at Stegeman Coliseum.
Georgia's Travis Leslie (1) dunks over Tennessee's Steven Pearl (22) in the second half of the Bulldogs' 78-63 victory Saturday at Stegeman Coliseum.
I am a freelance photojournalist in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Previously I was a staff photographer for the Athens Banner-Herald in Athens, Ga. and the Times-Georgian in Carrollton, Ga.
Posts
