What I’ve been doing on my week nights-Shafter Girls Varsity Basketball

You may or may not know, but I am a huge fan of basketball. I don’t mean that in an “I love the Lakers” kind of way, I probably couldn’t even name 10 NBA players. I mean that in the sense that I absolutely love playing the sport. I began playing basketball when I was really young. In fact, Brad and I actually played on the same team in the first grade. I continued to play throughout high school. I was on the championship intramural team in college, and I even played in the NOR adult rec league a few times. However, never have I really considered myself a sports photographer. I had never really even tried to take sports photos for that matter. So, when Brad and I were first asked to document the Shafter Girls Varsity Basketball season, I was a bit hesitant at first. Then because it was basketball, and girls basketball for that matter, I had to give it a shot.

As it turns out, it’s not that different from a wedding, and it didn’t take me long to get attached to this team just like my wedding couples. There is nothing I love more than a team who just flat out plays hard. These girls have a lot of heart, hussle and team spirit. They are also super tough. They are the last ones to let go of the ball in a jump, the first ones to dive after it, and if they get knocked down they are the first ones back on their feet. After a pre-season of ups and downs, the girls came out with a bang and made their first league opponents take notice with a sizeable victory. Since this is what has been occupying my Tuesday and Friday nights as of late, I thought it was time to share some of my work with you all. Hopefully this is just the beginning for these girls. I wish them all the best of luck!

Last Friday there was a particularly special moment that came out of an unfortunate incident. One of the girls I really enjoy watching is a quick little guard, #32, who is always hustling, stealing the ball, and even knocking down some 3′s. Late in the fourth quarter she was knocked down to the floor in a scuffle for the ball. In typical #32 fashion, she instantly hopped back up to her feet. Sadly though, her knee was seriously injured and did not want to accommodate her usually toughness. She tried to walk it off but with every step she took I was worried she was going to fall back to the floor. Her teammates were immediately at her side, and even ended up carrying her off the court when she needed their help. I am so sad she was injured, and I hope she is able to get back on the court soon. However, it was a truly special team moment and the epitome of what this team is all about.

I thought it was so funny that I happen to have two similar photos from different games. You wouldn’t want to get in the middle of these two girls.