From the Mind of JScott

With 15 years of experience shooting sports of all sorts I thought I had experienced just about everything possible. Then Saturday happened. Both sides of the gym were packed with fans ready to erupt, like shown above, in support for its respective team! I was court-side with my camera for the highly anticipated matchup between MFL MarMac and Cascade in boys playoff basketball. There was an estimated 2,000+ people in attendance to take in the big game in the gorgeous gym at West Delaware High School in Manchester. I was shooting for Sports Spotlight , a Des Moines based publication that spotlights high school and collegiate athletics across the state. It was a pretty big game as the winner would punch its ticket to the state basketball tournament in Des Moines and the loser would see its season end. (Congrats to the MFL MarMac boys for winning the game...photos HERE !) A photo from the MFL MarMac game against Beckman a few days earlier. I hadn't photographe...

Congratulations to the Maquoketa Valley girls basketball team for punching its ticket to the state tournament in Des Moines with a 39-30 victory over North Butler! The Wildcats (19-5) and ranked 15th in Class 2A overcame a slow start and knocked off the 5th ranked Bearcats in the Class 2A Region 4 final. I had the opportunity to photograph this exciting night for the Wildcats and it was awesome to say the least. The anticipation could be felt from both sides of the gym from the moment I walked in. Both sides filled the gym with bodies and a buzz that is hard to put into words. Even during warmups you could tell these fans were ready for the game of the year for their teams. **** As a photographer, I try not to get caught up in the game. I'm there to capture photos. But then again, I'm human. I have had a connection to Maquoketa Valley for almost a decade now and I cheer for them as if I an alum. I used to work for the Manchester Press as well as th...