Trinity Boys’ Basketball road to the District III & PIAA State Championship

Over the past few weeks, I had the opportunity to follow the Trinity boys’ basketball team as they attempted to capture their third consecutive District III, Class AA title.

Trinity entered District III playoffs with a number two seed. We start off with the District III, Class AA Quarterfinal game against seventh seeded York Catholic played at Chambersburg High School. Let make just make it known that the new Chambersburg High School gymnasium is amazing! First off, the lighting inside this gym is amazing! I didn't have to use the strobes, but did just to fill any shadows. Second, the gym has a second tier where there is an indoor track as well as additional seating, so I was able to attach my strobes to the railings on the upper tier instead of on the court side bleachers. Anyways, onto the game action.

Below, York Catholic's Adam Sentz (5) is knocked down as Trinity's Jack Osborne (24) attempts a lay-up.

York Catholic's Nicholas Full (24) and Michael Sperring (20) attempt to block Trinity's Eric Kindler (31).

Trinity's Kevin Agnew (10) moves the ball up court

Trinity's Eric Kindler (31) makes a move towards the basket as York Catholic's Michael Sperring (20) closes in from behind.

Trinity's Jack Osborne (24) looks for a way around his York Catholic defender.

Trinity's Michael Diminick (12) attempts to maintain possession of the ball.

Trinity's Jack Osborne (24) looks for an open teammate as York Catholic's Adam Sentz (5) attempts to block.

Trinity's Michael Diminick (12) grabs the rebound over York Catholic's Joseph Falci (3).

Trinity's Kevin Agnew (10) moves around York Catholic's Spencer Kubala (25) & Christopher Chesko (22).

Sweat flies from Trinity's Eric Kindler (31) after contact with a York Catholic defender.

Trinity's head coach Larry Kostelac Jr. calls a play from the bench late in the game.

As the game progressed into the fourth quarter and Trinity started pulling away from York Catholic, I decided to walk up onto the second tier as I mentioned earlier to get a different perspective.

Below, Trinity's Michael Diminick (12) looks a way around York Catholic's Gary Laucks (12) late in the fourth quarter.

Trinity's Eric Kindler (31) looks to pass the ball as York Catholic's Nicholas Full (24) blocks.

Trinity would go on to defeat York Catholic 63-48 and advanced to play third seeded Hanover in the semi-finals.

Trinity defeated Hanover 62-39 and advanced on to the District III, Class AA championship game where they faced number one seeded Lancaster Mennonite at the beautifully lit Giant Center in Hershey.

As I mentioned above, Trinity entered this game looking for their third consecutive District III title. We pick up the action from this game:

Below, Trinity's Kevin Agnew (10) makes his way to the basket as Lancaster Mennonite's Jon Lapp (15) closes in from behind.

Trinity's Michael Diminick (12) attempts a lay-up as Lancaster Mennonite's Zachary Zook (24) tries to block.

Trinity's Kevin Agnew (10) shoots a jump shot as Lancaster Mennonite's Corey Leonard (44) blocks.

Lancaster Mennonite's Phillip Yoder (31) attempts to block Trinity's Jack Osborne (24) from shooting a lay-up.

Trinity's Marcus Holt (22) looks for an open teammate as Lancaster Mennonite's Ryan Schloneger (11) closes in to block.

Below, Trinity's Jack Osborne (24) maneuvers his way through the Lancaster Mennonite defense.

Trinity's Michael Diminick (12) covers a Lancaster Mennonite player as he takes the ball down court.

Trinity's Jack Osborne (24) attempts a shot as Lancaster Mennonite Ryan Schloneger (11) tries to block.

Trinity's Kevin Agnew (10) attempts a three point shot with heavy coverage from the Lancaster Mennonite defense.

Trinity's Michael Diminick (12) covers Lancaster Mennonite's Dean Royal (52).

Trinity's Jack Osborne (24) applies the defensive pressure to Lancaster Mennonite's Jon Lapp (15) .

Trinity's head coach Larry Kostelac Jr. chats with his players during a time out.

As Trinity started to distance themselves from Lancaster Mennonite, I headed up to the second level to get some overhead shots.

Below, Trinity's Michael Rohm (15) shoots an easy lay-up.

Trinity's Jack Osborne (24) looks for a way around his Lancaster Mennonite defender.

After getting a few shots from overhead, I hustled back down to the court in anticipation of any Trinity players celebrating.

Below, Trinity's Michael Diminick (12) holds up three fingers signifying three consecutive District III, Class AA titles.

Trinity's teammate Jack Osborne (24) and Eric Kindler (31) celebrate after capturing their third consecutive District III, Class AA Boys Basketball championship.

Trinity's head coach Larry Kostelac Jr. congratulates Tom Gruschow (3) with his gold championship medal.

Trinity players celebrate with the trophy after defeating Lancaster Mennonite 77-65 for their third consecutive District III, Class AA Boys Basketball championship.

With their win over Lancaster Mennonite, Trinity would face Strawberry Mansion in the first round of PIAA Class AA Championship playoffs. The game was played at East Pennsboro in Enola. It was back to using the strobes and pocket wizards to light the inside of these low-lite high school gyms.

Below, Strawberry Mansion's Marque Griffin (5) moves towards the basket as Trinity's Mike Diminick (12) tries to block.

Trinity's Mike Diminick (12) tries to maintain possession of the ball early in the game.

Strawberry Mansion's Devonte' DJ Newbill (25) looks for a path around Trinity's Jack Osborne (24).

Strawberry Mansion's Khyree Wooten (15) attempts to block Trinity's Jack Osborne (24).

Trinity's Kevin Agnew (10) moves the ball down court as a Strawberry Mansion defender tries to block.

Trinity's Jack Osborne (24) attempts a shot as Strawberry Mansion's Khalil Meadows (22) tries to block.

Trinity's Mike Rohm (15) and Strawberry Mansion's Khalil Meadows (22) chase after a loose ball.

Trinity's Eric Kindler (31) makes a move towards the basket late in the game.

As the game came to a close, Trinity players sat on the bench as they watched their potential post-season come to a close.

It did in fact end here as Strawberry Mansion defeated Trinity 68-46. With the loss, Trinity's season was over. Though, Trinity had no reason the hang their heads. Three consecutive District III titles is quite an accomplishment and we will have to wait until next season to find out if they can in fact grab number four.

NHL: Pittsburgh Penguins play rival Philadelphia Flyers

I know it has been awhile since I’ve posted a blog about a photo shoot, so here it is! Last Sunday, January 24^th, I made the trip to Philadelphia to shoot the visiting Pittsburgh Penguins as they took on the Philadelphia Flyers in an NHL hockey game at the Wachovia Center.

Whenever Pittsburgh comes to town, it’s always a big deal, so I requested through the Flyers PR staff for a photo hole at ice level, but I knew this was going to be a slim to none chance since these holes are usually reserved for team photographers, AP and SI when they come in to shoot a game. Unfortunately, I didn’t get a hole, but that was all right. I did however go to my normal spot, which is at the suite level right at the top of the 100 level, though this time I was behind the team bench instead of behind the penalty boxes.

Below, are some shots of the first period.

It didn’t take Philadelphia long to score their first goal. Center Jeff Carter would score the goal at 5:18 in the first period to put the Philadelphia Flyers up 1-0.

Below, teammates celebrate after the goal.

Below, more action from the first period.

The Philadelphia Flyers would score another goal by center Mike Richards (18) at 13:23 in the first period, but the goal was rescinded following a penalty for goaltending.

Below, the teams go at each other after the confrontational non-goal on the Philadelphia Flyers behalf.

Because of this confrontation, Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgeni Malkin (71) was sent to the penalty box for roughing.

As well as Philadelphia Flyers left wing Simon Gagne (12).

Ok, back to the rest of the action in the first period.

Shooting the second period was more like a chore because you could tell both teams were dogging it. No hits, not much checking, flat out….IT WAS BORING!

Below, are some shots from the BORING second period.

When the players arrived back on the ice for the third period, you could just sense that this was going to be that no-holds-bar period because the score was tied and the fans were on their feet.

Like I said, it didn’t take long for the players to start getting in each other’s face about something.

Then the big fight broke out between the Philadelphia Flyers left wing Scott Hartnell (19) and Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgeni Malkin (71).

Then the rest of the team got into it! Got to love it!!!

After the fighting was over, all the players went back to playing nice again….well sort of.

One thing I noticed throughout the entire game was that Philly fans hate Pittsburgh Penguins center Sydney Crosby. One of the phrases that comes to mind is “Die Crosby…Die” That’s the line that was chanted whenever he would get the puck. Can’t deny the guy is really good, so I tried to get some shots of him in action as well as some isolated stock shoots.

Below, more third period action.

Well, for the Philadelphia Flyers fans, it all went down hill when Pittsburgh Penguins left wing Matt Cooke (24) scored at 18:13 to put the Penguins up 2-1 in the third period.

When action resumed, the Philadelphia Flyers tried really hard to score that goal to tie up the game, but it just didn’t happen.

In the end, the Pittsburgh Penguins would celebrate their 2-1 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers.

With that, another NHL game is in the books. I plan on shooting a few more game this year, so stay tuned.