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.

PREPS: Rich Rivalry

It felt strange shooting my first high school basketball game of the season the other night. I was not very motivated although I did sling up a couple speedlights in the dark gym of Prince Avenue Christian School. The Wolverines were facing Region 8-A rival and fellow private school the Athens Academy Spartans. These two schools are where some of the Athens area's wealthiest and most well known families send their children to get an education. Prince Avenue Christian is where Georgia football coach Mark Richt sends his brood. The son of Congressman Dr. Paul Broun attends Athens Academy. There are many more familiar last names walking around the hallways of these schools. However, celebrity and dollar signs don't matter when it comes to playing time on the hardwoods. It was an all out battle in both the girls and boys games tonight. The girls went into overtime tied 39-39, but Prince Avenue dominated the 4 minutes earning a 46-39 win. Not to be outdone the boys fought to the end heading into their own overtime. This time Athens Academy came out on top breaking a 5-game losing streak with a 61-57 victory.


Athens Academy's Margaret Boyette (15) fends off Prince Avenue Christian's Amber Howell (3) in the 4th period of the Wolverines 46-39 victory Tuesday in Bogart.


Prince Avenue Christian's Shelby Mason (4) shoots 2 points in the 4th period of the Wolverines' 46-39 win over Athens Academy Tuesday night in Bogart.


Athens Academy's Emily O'Rear (13) battles for a rebound with Prince Avenue Christian's Katie Looney (23) in the 4th period of the Wolverine's 46-29 victory Tuesday in Bogart.


Athens Academy's Davis Finney (35) and Prince Avenue Christian's Thomas Mazeika (50) battle for a rebound in the first period Tuesday night in Bogart.


Athens Academy's Bryant Shirreffs (22) is fouled by Prince Avenue Christian's Felipe Howell (23) in the 1st period Tuesday night in Bogart.


Athens Academy's Nick Miller (5) is fouled by Prince Avenue Christian's Thomas Mazeika (50) in the first period Tuesday in Bogart.


Athens Academy's Kalupe Booze (3) hits the hardwoods while trying to make a shot in the 1st period Tuesday night in Bogart.


Athens Academy's Bryant Shirreffs (22) shoots over Prince Avenue Christian's Daniel Howell (33) in the second period Tuesday night in Bogart.


Athens Academy's Jordan Richardson (45) loses the ball with Prince Avenue Christian's Quinn Adamson defending (31) in the second period Tuesday in Bogart.