Trip to Tener’s for the Jim Thorpe winner
Jim Thorpe Award winner Morris Claiborne, left, is fitted for a cowboy hat by Tener's Western Outfitters general manager Heath Jones in Oklahoma City, Monday, February 6, 2012. Tener's gives the recipient of the Jim Thorpe Award a pair of cowboy boots and hat each year. Photo By Steve Gooch, The Oklahoman
While the banquet for the Jim Thorpe Award is tonight, maybe the coolest part of the winner Morris Claiborne’s trip to Oklahoma City happened yesterday when he visited Tener’s Western Outfitters to receive his cowboy hat and pair of boots. Staff photographer Steve Gooch was there for the annual tradition.
Jim Thorpe Award winner Morris Claiborne looks for a pair of boots at Tener's Western Outfitters in Oklahoma City, Monday, February 6, 2012. Tener's gives the recipient of the Jim Thorpe Award a pair of cowboy boots and hat each year. Photo By Steve Gooch, The Oklahoman
-Nate Billings
Cowboys upset the Tigers
Oklahoma State's Le'Bryan Nash celebrates with fans following an NCAA college basketball game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys (OSU) and the Missouri Tigers (MU) at Gallagher-Iba Arena in Stillwater, Okla., Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2012. Oklahoma State won 79-72. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
Missouri's Phil Pressey (1) and Oklahoma State's Keiton Page (12) fight for the ball during an NCAA college basketball game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys (OSU) and the Missouri Tigers (MU) at Gallagher-Iba Arena in Stillwater, Okla., Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2012. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
Oklahoma State's Brian Williams celebrates with fans following an NCAA college basketball game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys (OSU) and the Missouri Tigers (MU) at Gallagher-Iba Arena in Stillwater, Okla., Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2012. Oklahoma State won 79-72. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
Click here to see more photos from the game.
— Sarah Phipps
Border Collies in Norman
Here’s a nice weather feature from Steve Sisney in Norman:
Lester Seat exercises his two border collies, Scout, 3, and Kitt, 18 months, as they take advantage of sun and moderate temperatures at Andrews Park on Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2012, in Norman, Okla. Photo by Steve Sisney, The Oklahoman
-Nate Billings
Oklahoma National Guard homecoming
Spc. Adam Nicely, Wagoner, is greeted by his girlfriend Shae Bellis, 20, as members of the Oklahoma National Guard are welcomed by family and friends on their return from Afghanistan on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2012, in Norman, Okla. Photo by Steve Sisney, The Oklahoman
Steve Sisney covered the return of members of the Oklahoma National Guard from Afghanistan on Thursday.
Click here for a gallery with photos from this homecoming.
Richard Higgins greets his son Bryson, 4-months, as he and other members of the Oklahoma National Guard return from Afghanistan on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2012, in Norman, Okla. Photo by Steve Sisney, The Oklahoman
Spc. Galen Scott is greeted by his six-month-old son Benjamin and his wife Jennifer at a ceremony where he and other members of the Oklahoma National Guard were welcomed by family and friends upon their return from Afghanistan on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2012, in Norman, Okla. Photo by Steve Sisney, The Oklahoman
-Nate Billings
Fiesta Bowl Champions
Oklahoma State's Brandon Weeden (3) celebrates with fans following the Fiesta Bowl between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys (OSU) and the Stanford Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz., Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2012. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman
I was looking back through the photos taken at OSU’s victory over Stanford in the Fiesta Bowl a few days ago, and these are some of my favorites.
And, in case you haven’t seen it yet, here’s a gallery with even more pictures from the game.
Oklahoma State's Markelle Martin (10) tackles Stanford's Ty Montgomery (88)during the Fiesta Bowl between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys (OSU) and the Stanford Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz., Monday, Jan. 2, 2012. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman
Oklahoma State's Justin Blackmon and coach Mike Gundy celebrate after winning the Fiesta Bowl between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys (OSU) and the Stanford Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz., Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2012. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
Oklahoma State's Brandon Weeden (3) scores a touchdown during the Fiesta Bowl between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys (OSU) and the Stanford Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz., Monday, Jan. 2, 2012. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
-Nate Billings
Scenes from Arizona
A cactus is pictured at sunset in Paradise Valley, Ariz.
Oklahoma's Trey Millard (33) leaps over Iowa's Jordan Bernstine (4) during the Insight Bowl college football game between the University of Oklahoma (OU) Sooners and the Iowa Hawkeyes at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Ariz., Friday, Dec. 30, 2011. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
OU won the Insight Bowl against Iowa yesterday. Here’s a gallery from the Sooners’ 31-14 victory.
Click here to visit the Oklahoman photo galleries page to see other pictures related to the Insight and Fiesta bowls in Arizona.
The Stanford tree cheers with fans during the Fiesta Bowl parade in Phoenix, Ariz., Saturday, Dec. 31, 2011. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman
The Oklahoma State band marches in during the Fiesta Bowl parade in Phoenix, Ariz., Saturday, Dec. 31, 2011. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman
Click here to go to our photo galleries page to see pictures more related to the Insight and Fiesta bowls in Arizona.
— Sarah Phipps
I root for good pictures.
Kendrick Perkins (5) celebrates along with fans and head coach Scott Brooks, right, after Kevin Durant (35), left, hit the game-winning shot as time expired in an NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Dallas Mavericks at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Thursday, Dec. 29, 2011. Oklahoma City won, 104-102. Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman
I’m often asked when photographing sports who I’m rooting for. I always give the same selfish answer, “I’m rooting for good pictures.” It’s nice to see the local teams I cover do well because it’s good for our community and our business here at The Oklahoman and NewsOK, but what I really want are exciting plays that make compelling pictures.
Last night’s game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Dallas Mavericks put me through the typical thought process I have during a close game that would probably seem completely foreign to most sports fans. With 1.4 seconds left, Vince Carter hit shot to give the Mavericks the lead. At this point, things looked grim for the Thunder and fans were probably not feeling too great about the team’s chances, but I felt good because I had a nice shot of the Mavericks celebrating. If the Thunder go on to lose, I’ve made a compelling picture of the key moment of the game. If Oklahoma City pulls out a win, I’ve got a chance for more exciting photos.
Vince Carter (25) and Jason Terry (31), right, of Dallas celebrate a shot by Carter with 1.4 seconds left to give the Mavericks a 102-101 lead in the fourth quarter of an NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Dallas Mavericks at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Thursday, Dec. 29, 2011. Kevin Durant hit a shot as time expired to give Oklahoma City a 104-102 win. In the background is Jason Kidd. Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman
Kevin Durant’s buzzer beater made the above photograph worthless for the next day’s paper, but provided some nice reaction too.
Oklahoma City fans react after Kevin Durant (35) hit the game-winning shot as time expired in an NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Dallas Mavericks at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Thursday, Dec. 29, 2011. Oklahoma City won, 104-102. Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman
Part of being a sports photographer is sometimes making good pictures that end up being worthless because of the outcome of the game. Sometimes what we wish could be the play of the game just turns out to be another dunk, turnover or touchdown, a nice shot graphically without much meaning to the story of the game. Lucky for me, in the process of ruining the need for my Dallas celebration shot, Kevin Durant gave me the opportunity for some new nice pictures.
If you’ve got the time, check out this photo gallery from the game.
-Nate Billings
Welcome back NBA
Kevin Durant (35) celebrates a basket during the opening day NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma CIty Thunder and the Orlando Magic at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Sunday, Dec. 25, 2011. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman
The Oklahoma City Thunder kicked off their season Christmas night with a win over Orlando.
See all the photos by clicking here
Oklahoma City Thunder's James Harden (13) celebrates a 3-point shot during the opening day NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma CIty Thunder and the Orlando Magic at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Sunday, Dec. 25, 2011. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman
Oklahoma City Thunder's Kevin Durant (35) celebrates a basket during the opening day NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma CIty Thunder and the Orlando Magic at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Sunday, Dec. 25, 2011. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman
See all the photos by clicking here
— Sarah Phipps
Afternoon at the Oklahoma City Zoo
A cormorant takes flight with a white pelican in the background at the Oklahoma City Zoo lake during its migration south in Oklahoma City, Thursday December, 8, 2011. Photo by Steve Gooch, The Oklahoman.
We’ve been a little behind on posting here lately. I hope this will start things back up.
Steve Gooch spent some time at the Oklahoma City Zoo earlier this month and made some nice pictures of birds at the lake. Here’s some of his shots, and you can see more in this photo gallery.
White pelicans make a stop at the Oklahoma City Zoo lake during its migration south in Oklahoma City, Thursday December, 8, 2011. Photo by Steve Gooch, The Oklahoman.
A group of white pelicans make a stop at the Oklahoma City Zoo lake during their migration south in Oklahoma City, Thursday December, 8, 2011. Oklahoman Photo by Steve Gooch
A cormorant takes flight at the Oklahoma City Zoo lake during its migration south in Oklahoma City, Thursday December, 8, 2011. Photo by Steve Gooch, The Oklahoman.
-Nate Billings
Bedlam Football Overhead
Oklahoma State's Justin Blackmon (81) celebrates with the crowd following the Bedlam college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the University of Oklahoma Sooners at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Dec. 3, 2011. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
During the celebration after yesterday’s Bedlam football game, Bryan Terry took a different angle from the rest of our team and photographed from the roof of Boone Pickens Stadium. He took some shots of the Spirit Walk from up high before the game as well. Here’s some of Bryan’s pictures from overhead.
Also, check out this gallery with other pictures from The Oklahoman of OSU’s 44-10 win over OU.
Oklahoma State fans rush the field after the Bedlam college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the University of Oklahoma Sooners at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Dec. 3, 2011. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
Oklahoma State fans celebrate following the Bedlam college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys (OSU) and the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Dec. 3, 2011. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
The green arms holding a camera off to the left in the above photo belong to me, by the way.
Oklahoma State's Brandon Weeden (3) celebrates with fans following the Bedlam college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the University of Oklahoma Sooners at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Dec. 3, 2011. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
Oklahoma State fans celebrate following the Bedlam college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys (OSU) and the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Dec. 3, 2011. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
Oklahoma State's Justin Gilbert (4) celebrates with fans following the Bedlam college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys (OSU) and the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Dec. 3, 2011. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
A stretcher is passed down to the field as Oklahoma State's Brandon Weeden (3) makes his way out of the crowd following the Bedlam college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the University of Oklahoma Sooners at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Dec. 3, 2011. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
The OSU team makes their way to the stadium during the Spirit Walk before the Bedlam college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the University of Oklahoma Sooners at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Dec. 3, 2011. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
And remember to check out more Bedlam football pictures in this gallery.
-Nate Billings
