December 31, 2017—Chasing Champions,
As a photographer who spends most of his time chasing champions, 2017 was a pretty incredible year. It was a year of learning about basketball. At five foot six. . . and a half inch. . . this is not a game I ever played. It was a year of learning to keep my mind focused on the story as my eyes focused on the events in front of my camera. It was a year of learning how much I truly love shooting pictures.
Before I share a few of the photos that I most liked creating in 2017, I would like to thank some of the many people who make the joy of shooting pictures possible for me.
My wife who gets up early and stays up late preparing food around my often awkward hours and caring for our children, thank you. My two boys who know the word ‘deadline’ determines whether or not I will be available to sing songs at bedtime, thank you.
The editors who continue to call with assignments, Geoff Sheerer, Michael O’Brien, and Rich Hein, thank you.
The writers who sort out the intersection between the game, their words, and photos I submit: Michael O’Brien, Pat Disabato, Tony Baranek, Steve Millar, Mike Clark, Tim O’Brien, and others, thank you. It’s always fun to work with and listen to professionals who ‘get’ high school athletes and love telling their stories. Keeping stats, Tweeting, writing a story in the minute-and-a-half between the end of the game and deadline takes talent.
The other photographers who share their knowledge and experience and create images that inspire me to be a better photographer, Worsom Robinson, Gary Middendorf, Brian O’Mahoney, and Julie McMann, thank you.
Thornridge High School’s celebration of the 45th anniversary of their 1971-72 state championship basketball team provided a look back at how a community began to move forward on one of the most important issues to challenge America, how to achieve racial equality. A previously all-white school, many of the basketball team’s state-champion players were some of the first African-American students to attend Thornridge. The players who shared their memories took all of us back in time to the realities they courageously faced. The competitive nature of high school basketball seems trivial in comparison to the challenges they faced riding a bus, walking the halls, or visiting a restroom.
Chicago Sun-Times’ player of the year Alonzo Verge evoked a wide variety of reactions from other players. With moves smoother than a lava lamp in July, Verge was capable of embarrassing the other team anywhere on the floor—and he often did. Had he simply made amazing plays and moved on, opponents might have quietly scraped up their remaining dignity and snuck out of the gym–but he didn’t JUST embarrass players. After twice crossing over one defender and then hitting a three from near the sideline, he went four rows deep in the stands high-fiving fans. A technical foul and a temporary seat on the bench kept him out of the stands for the rest of the game, but he kept shooting until he ended the night with 43 points, 11 rebounds, 6 assists and 5 steals.
What I most remember about his senior year at Thornton Township High School was seeing Verge give imaginary high fives when his teammates were not lined up on the lane for his free throws. Or maybe juggling before the delayed start of a game. He’s a young man who just loves playing.
Rick Telander’s five-part series in the Chicago Sun-Times about the numerous shootings surrounding Orr Academy gave basketball enthusiasts an address, a name, a human face to attach to the epidemic of violence in Chicago. A tragic reality many mostly ignore and few in authority seem focused on resolving. As the basketball season moved from Christmas tournaments to the playoffs, Coach Lou Adams and the Spartan players let nothing distract them from their singular goal, win a state title.
I photographed the team’s last three games, and Coach Lou also allowed me to ride the team’s bus and take pictures at their last practice before the state championship game. The Spartans’ roster was loaded with talent, but what carried them to the championship was their confidence and ferocious intensity.
Entering the Crystal Lake South dugout for the IHSA 4A baseball semi-finals, all the blonde hair certainly had me scratching my bald head. Soon enough I learned the players dyed their hair after their sectional victory. As I watched Gator players autographing balls for young fans, I also noticed the focused calm of the players. . . a calm that carried Noah Tyrrell to two home runs and nine RBI in the two games at state. Whatever coach Brian Bogda did to get his players both loose and productive, it worked. The team won the school’s first state championship in 37 years.
What’s left for me to write about Lincoln-Way East’s undefeated, 8A state-championship season? The work of the coaches, the effort of the players, together they provided exciting inspiration to create great photos.
2018 has arrived. It’s time to stop writing and start shooting pictures. Chasing champions is a pursuit that never ends.
AC photo 22 