Bassett High girls basketball player Ashlee Turner is overcome with emotion during the final seconds of the game against Courtland at the VHSL State Basketball tournament in Richmond last week. Courtland defeated Bassett 64-53.

I just shot some of the state basketball championships in Richmond. You could really feel the pain on Ashlee’s face at the end of Bassett’s loss to Courtland. Scenes like this can be difficult to shoot, but as a photojournalist you have to distance yourself from the emotion and document the scene as it unfolds. The whole tournament is filled with this kind of joy and disappointment which makes for powerful pictures.

-Kyle Green

Check out our selection of images from the VHSL state quarterfinals at the Salem Civic Center last weekend. All the photos were taken by staff photojournalist Rebecca Barnett and freelancer Don Petersen. It’s a little taste of what’s to come from the semifinal, and possibly final, games in Richmond this week. 

Photographers Kyle Green and Matt Gentry will be covering the action this week .

The State High School Wrestling Championships for Group A and Group AA finals were on Saturday, February 16, at Salem Civic Center. Two mats with weight classes ranging from 113-285-pound classes.  Christiansburg High School had four time and three time state champs.

Franklin County's Ashley Searing (3) waits to hit during their game against Colonial Forge.

Franklin County's catcher, Mackenzie Chitwood (12), puts her head to the ground after running into a teammate during a pop fly in the top of the first inning of their game against Colonial Forge.

Franklin County's Hannah Dudley (4) leaves the infield after a 5-3 loss to Colonial Forge in the first round of the Northwest Region softball tournament.

- Jeanna Duerscherl

I had a few extra photos that didn’t make it into our coverage of the Western Valley District track meet that ran in the sports section today, so I thought I would share them here.

Sports can be difficult to shoot for several reasons. Lighting can be challenging if it is a really bright day or a night event outside or in a poorly-lit gym.  Along with dealing with our surroundings, photojournalists are looking for peak action and reaction shots, which are often occurring  simultaneously.

With all of these technical issues, sports can be one of the most rewarding situations to photograph. The reaction from players often make for  great moments, and you are in the middle of the action instead of in the bleachers.

A member of the Halifax County boys 4x800 meter relay covers his face on the sideline after finishing his leg of the race.

Savannah Bowne from Franklin County pole vaults during the Western Valley District track meet. Bowne received second place in the event.

Patrick Henry's Shaheed Fitzgerald placed 5th in the discus throw during the Western Valley District track meet held at William Fleming.

- Jeanna Duerscherl