Championship week
Bennett Oshman, 17, dressed as Captain America, leads Okarche students and fans in a cheer during a Class A Girls semifinal game of the state high school basketball tournament between Okarche and Turner at Jim Norick Arena, The Big House, on State Fair Park in Oklahoma City, Friday, March 1, 2013. Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman
It is championship week for small school basketball. Friday we shot 8 games with the first game starting a 9 am and the last game starting at 9 pm.. Here is a quick glance. Check out our galleries.
Today is championship Saturday so check back for more photos.
Glencoe’s Quentin Ash celebrates with Austin Ojala during the Class A boys semifinal game of the state high school basketball tournament between Glencoe and Sterling at the State Fair Arena., Friday, March 1, 2013. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman
Shattuck’s Daniela Galindo reacts during the Class B Girls semi-final game of the state high school basketball tournament between Erick and Shattuck at the State Fair Arena., Friday, March 1, 2013. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman
Glencoe’s Ty Lazenby grabs rebound from Sterling’s Kaden Hardzog during the Class A boys semifinal game of the state high school basketball tournament between Glencoe and Sterling at the State Fair Arena., Friday, March 1, 2013. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman
State Wrestling
Over this past weekend, I had the opportunity to cover one of my favorite events, the Oklahoma high school state wrestling championships. For over three hours, 112 wrestlers competed for 56 individual championships.
Norman North’s Levi Berry celebrates after beating Brannon Hunt of Ponca City during the Class 6A 160-pound championship match during the state wrestling championships at the State Fair Arena in Oklahoma City, Saturday, Feb. 23, 2013. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
Most of the high school championships I cover are team sports, so I generally photograph one or two games with one or two championships awarded. This is different. It’s a non-stop roller coaster of emotions and action, with a few brief pauses for medal presentations.
Edmond North’s Jordan Prince, right, wrestles Westmoore’s Dalton Duffield in the Class 6A 106-pound championship match during the state wrestling championships at the State Fair Arena in Oklahoma City, Saturday, Feb. 23, 2013. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
Barnsdall’s Ethan Walker celebrates after beating Heritage Hall’s Caleb Hawes after the Class 3A 195-pound championship match in the state wrestling championships at the State Fair Arena in Oklahoma City, Saturday, Feb. 23, 2013.
Deer Creek’s Cole Pacheco , left, wrestles Collinsville’s Zach Abkemeier during the Class 5a 170-pound championship match in the state wrestling championships at the State Fair Arena in Oklahoma City, Saturday, Feb. 23, 2013. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
Norman North cheerleaders react during a wrestling match in the state wrestling championships at the State Fair Arena in Oklahoma City, Saturday, Feb. 23, 2013. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
Perry’s David Thomas celebrates after beating Plainview’s Drake Martel in the Class 3A 160-pound championship match during the state wrestling championships at the State Fair Arena in Oklahoma City, Saturday, Feb. 23, 2013. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
Newkirk’s Briar Stopp, center, wrestles Locust Grove’s Braden Bennett in the Class 3A 113-pound Championship match during the state wrestling championships at the State Fair Arena in Oklahoma City, Saturday, Feb. 23, 2013. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
To see the rest of the photos click here.
-Bryan Terry
SeaWorld Visit
Magellanic Penguins Penny and Pete roam the studio on a visit to the OPUBCO office from SeaWorld on Thursday, Feb. 21, 2013, in Oklahoma City, Okla. Photo by Chris Landsberger, The Oklahoman
Some days just don’t go as planned. And, this was one of them. Because of a winter storm dropping freezing rain over the city, half of our assignments were cancelled today.
Then there was a phone call from our features department. “I’m in the lobby with people from SeaWorld and they brought penguins. Can we bring them up to the photo studio?”
“Sure,” I replied and asked staffer Chris Landsberger to grab a camera. Neither of us knew what to expect. What kind of photo? Just the animals or with people too? Our people? Their people? How many animals? What kind of animals?
Photographer Chris Landsberger smiles as Magellanic penguins Penny and Pete follow SeaWorld animal ambassador Clay Carabajal into the studio as SeaWorld visited the OPUBCO on Thursday, Feb. 21, 2013, in Oklahoma City, Okla. Photo by Doug Hoke, The Oklahoman
SeaWorld animal ambassadors Clay Carabajal and Jason Baca, from left, pose for a photo with a Three Banded Armadillo, Wilson, American Alligator, Rocky, and Magellanic Penguin’s Penny and Pete on a visit to the OPUBCO office from SeaWorld on Thursday, Feb. 21, 2013, in Oklahoma City, Okla. Photo by Chris Landsberger, The Oklahoman
What happened was totally unexpected and fun!
After quick introductions, the handlers uncrated two penguins and carried them into the studio. Once they set them down is when the fun began.
Photographer Paul Hellstern watches with other OPUBCO employees as Magellanic penguins Penny and Pete walking through the photo department as SeaWorld visited the OPUBCO on Thursday, Feb. 21, 2013, in Oklahoma City, Okla. Hellstern had been out on assignment and didn’t know there were penguins roaming the floor. Photo by Doug Hoke, The Oklahoman
Our studio isn’t fully enclosed; the back is open into our office area. After getting what shots Chris needed, the handlers let the penguins walk around. Like on the whole floor. For almost 30 minutes. As you might expect, word started to spread throughout the floor, then to other floors. Imagine stepping off the elevator and seeing a penguin walk past!
I had decided when they first arrived to shoot photos and video of Chris’ photo shoot. I then proceeded to follow them as they walked around the floor, with one making a stop on my desk.
One of the Magellanic penguins pose with Director of Photography Doug Hoke as SeaWorld visited the OPUBCO on Thursday, Feb. 21, 2013, in Oklahoma City, Okla. Photo by Chris Landsberger, The Oklahoman
They also brought an American alligator and a three banded armadillo.
OPUBCO employees listen as SeaWorld animal ambassador Clay Carabajal tells them about the three banded armadillo named Wilson he is holding as SeaWorld visited the OPUBCO on Thursday, Feb. 21, 2013, in Oklahoma City, Okla. Photo by Doug Hoke, The Oklahoman
Some days don’t go as planned. They are much better!
Check out this gallery with more photos from the penguins’ visit.
-Doug
A new addition
Kelele holds her newborn baby at the Oklahoma City Zoo, Friday, Feb. 15, 2013. The baby was born on Valentine’s Day. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman
Today I was assigned to shoot pictures of a newborn gorilla at the Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden. It was not an easy task to take pictures of the baby gorilla. The zoo enclosure was very dark and I had to shoot through a reflective glass. To make matters worse momma Kelele sat on a perch and kept her arms tightly wrapped around her precious new bundle.
I waited for over an hour for Kelele to come close to the window so I could get a good view, but it was difficult to focus the camera through the window. She kept her arms wrapped around the tiny, little ape only giving me quick peeks of the baby.
Kelele holds her newborn baby at the Oklahoma City Zoo, Friday, Feb. 15, 2013. The baby was born on Valentine’s Day. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman
Kelele holds her newborn baby at the Oklahoma City Zoo, Friday, Feb. 15, 2013. The baby was born on Valentine’s Day. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman
Kelele holds her newborn baby at the Oklahoma City Zoo, Friday, Feb. 15, 2013. The baby was born on Valentine’s Day. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman
Kelele holds her newborn baby at the Oklahoma City Zoo, Friday, Feb. 15, 2013. The baby was born on Valentine’s Day. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman
Kelele holds her newborn baby at the Oklahoma City Zoo, Friday, Feb. 15, 2013. The baby was born on Valentine’s Day. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman
Perhaps the most difficult part of taking pictures of the baby was a jealous orangutan housed next door to the apes. When I focused my camera on the gorillas, the orangutan would pound the glass until I turned and looked. It would then pose for photos with its blanket. I couldn’t resist taking a quick picture.
A orangutan poses for the camera, Friday, Feb. 15, 2013. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman
A orangutan poses for the camera, Friday, Feb. 15, 2013. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman
Read the story here
— Sarah Phipps
Snow in the metro
Snow falls at Lake Hefner in Oklahoma City, Tuesday, Feb., 12, 2013. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
You may have heard that it snowed in Oklahoma yesterday. It was the kind of snow that’s great for playing in and doesn’t cause too much havoc.
While I was off of work, photographing my dogs in the snow, everybody else on staff spread out across the metro and took pictures for The Oklahoman and NewsOK.com.
Here are some of our staff pictures of the winter storm.
A group of students pose after playing a game of football in the snow at the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond, Okla., Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2013. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman
SPS City Carrier Jack Tanksley makes his rounds through falling snow in a neighborhood in downtown Edmond, OK, Tuesday, February 12, 2013, By Paul Hellstern, The Oklahoman
A lone jogger makes his way around a pond near Britton Road and I-235 during the noon hour Tuesday February 12, 2013 in Oklahoma City. Photo by Doug Hoke, The Oklahoman
Ashton Carpenter sleds down a hill near NW 36th and Lake Hefner Parkway, Tuesday, February 12, 2013. Photo By David McDaniel/The Oklahoman
Traffic is backed up and motorists drive on the shoulder as Oklahoma City police block the southbound lanes of I-44 at SW 134 Street for a series of accidents on the highway in Oklahoma City Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2013. Photo by Paul B. Southerland, The Oklahoman
A person walks in the snow in northwest Oklahoma City Tuesday , Feb. 12, 2013. Photo by Jim Beckel, The Oklahoman
A goose walks along a sidewalk at Lake Hefner in Oklahoma City, Tuesday, Feb., 12, 2013. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
Heavy snow falls at the intersection of Britton Road and Bryant Avenue in Oklahoma City, Tuesday February 12, 2013. Photo By Steve Gooch, The Oklahoman
A pedestrian carries an umbrella while walking through the heavy snowfall in downtown Oklahoma City on Tuesday, Feb.12, 2013, in Oklahoma City, Okla. Photo by Chris Landsberger, The Oklahoman
Turner Kinzer sleds down a hill at Hafer Park in Edmond, Okla., Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2013.Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman
Hybrid buffalo graze in snow-covered fields off State Highway 9 on Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2013 near Blanchard, Okla. Photo by Steve Sisney, The Oklahoman
For more snow photos from our staff and some submitted by readers, check out this gallery.
-Nate Billings
Stephen Clark hits 3,000
Douglass’ Stephen Clark (5) smiles as he is recognized for scoring the 3,000th point of his career during a boys high school basketball game between Douglass and Northeast at Douglass High School in Oklahoma City, Friday, Feb. 8, 2013. Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman
On Friday night, Douglass’ Stephen Clark joined an elite club by scoring his 3,000th point during a game against Northeast. Since Clark started playing for Douglass, I’ve been excited to get assigned to the Trojans’ games. It seems like he is a threat to pull up and hit a jumper no matter how far behind the 3-point line he is.
He hit that 3,00th point on a free throw. I knew he was coming up on passing the mark, but had been counting incorrectly during the game. I thought he had another three points to go. So, I didn’t get in the best position to shoot the foul shot that was his piece of OSSAA history. But I did get something.
Congrats, Stephen. And good luck in the playoffs.
Douglass’ Stephen Clark (5) shoots a free throw to score the 3,000th point of his career during a boys high school basketball game between Douglass and Northeast at Douglass High School in Oklahoma City, Friday, Feb. 8, 2013. Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman
Stephen Clark (5) of Douglass shoots between Omarkio Collins (33) and Deshawn Watson (32) of Northeast during a boys high school basketball game between Douglass and Northeast at Douglass High School in Oklahoma City, Friday, Feb. 8, 2013. Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman
Stephen Clark (5) of Douglass takes the ball to the hoop past Deshawn Watson (32) of Northeast during a boys high school basketball game between Douglass and Northeast at Douglass High School in Oklahoma City, Friday, Feb. 8, 2013. Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman
Stephen Clark (5) of Douglass passes behind his back around Deshawn Watson (32) of Northeast during a boys high school basketball game between Douglass and Northeast at Douglass High School in Oklahoma City, Friday, Feb. 8, 2013. Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman
-Nate Billings
2013 International Finals Rodeo
Dogs perform during the International Finals Rodeo at the State Fair Arena in Oklahoma City, Saturday, January 19, 2013. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman
With a high level of danger in many of the events, the rodeo usually makes exciting pictures. But sometimes there’s good stuff between the shots of a cowboy getting thrown by a bull or a textbook ride of a bareback bronc. Here are three pictures that I liked away from the action at the International Finals Rodeo this weekend.
For more IFR photos (and lots of action pics), these galleries will hook you up:
IFR, Saturday afternoon, January 19.
Will Abshure, of Ward, Arkansas, prepares to compete during the final performance of International Finals Rodeo at the State Fair Arena in Oklahoma City, Okla., Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013. Photo by Garett Fisbeck, For The Oklahoman
A contestant is interviewed before the International Finals Rodeo inside the State Fair Arena in Oklahoma City, Friday, Jan. 18, 2013. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
-Nate Billings
A Little Bit of History
T. W. Shannon thanks Chief Justice Tom Colbert after he was sworn in as Speaker of the House. At his side is his wife, Devon. Shannon was elected by his colleagues in the Oklahoma House of Representatives as their Speaker for the upcoming legislative session. Shannon, a Republican from Lawton, is Oklahoma’s first black Speaker of the House. He was sworn in on the floor of the House by Oklahoma Supreme Court Chief Justice Tom Colbert on Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013. Colbert became Oklahoma’s first black chief justice when he was sworn in last week. Photo by Jim Beckel, The Oklahoman
I’m usually not a fan of photos of people being sworn into offices, but there were some historical firsts recently that deserve a mention.
Tom Colbert became the first African American chief justice of the Oklahoma Supreme Court on Friday, Jan. 4. Retired Oklahoma County District Judge Charles Owens issued the oath of office to Colbert. Owens was the first black judge in Oklahoma when he was appointed in 1968.
The next week, Colbert administered the oath of office to T.W. Shannon to become the first black Speaker of the House in Oklahoma.
And, all of this happened close to the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation, signed by President Lincoln on Jan. 1, 1863.
Tom Colbert takes the oath of office as as the first black chief justice of the Oklahoma Supreme Court, Friday, January 4, 2013. Judge Charles Owens, with his back to the camera, did the swearing in. Photo By David McDaniel, The Oklahoman
T.W. Shannon is sworn in as Speaker of the House. At his side is his wife, Devon. Shannon was elected by his colleagues in the Oklahoma House of Representatives as their Speaker for the upcoming legislative session. Shannon, a Republican from Lawton, is Oklahoma’s first black Speaker of the House. He was sworn in on the floor of the House by Oklahoma Supreme Court Chief Justice Tom Colbert on Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013. Colbert became Oklahoma’s first black chief justice when he was sworn in last week. Photo by Jim Beckel, The Oklahoman
Tom Colbert takes the oath of office to become the first black chief justice of the Oklahoma Supreme Court, Friday, January 4, 2013. Photo By David McDaniel, The Oklahoman
T. W. Shannon is hugged by his wife, Devon, as their daughter, Audrey Grace, joins in the group hug after Shannon took the oath of office when he was elected by his colleagues in the Oklahoma House of Representatives as their Speaker for the upcoming legislative session. Shannon, a Republican from Lawton, is Oklahoma’s first black Speaker of the House. He was sworn in on the floor of the House by Oklahoma Supreme Court Chief Justice Tom Colbert on Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013. Colbert became Oklahoma’s first black chief justice when he was sworn in last week. Photo by Jim Beckel, The Oklahoman
-Nate Billings
Everyday People
From top left; Dacia Wallace, Tabitha Croslin, Tommy Keirsey, Marco Perez, James Holdman, Justin Morris, Alexandria Jovan Sliger, Kimberly Butler, and Rabbi Marc Fitzerman. Photographed for the Everyday People photo project. JOHN CLANTON/Tulsa World
John Clanton, former Oklahoman staffer and the driving force behind this blog for many years, has just finished a really cool project called “Everday People” at his gig with the Tulsa World.
Everyday in 2012, John photographed a portrait of a different person in his community. This is the type of thing I wish I had thought of doing or even had the commitment to attempt.
It’s well worth your time to check out the project.
If you’re in the Tulsa area, go by the Zarrow Center for Arts and Education in the Brady District and see this project in print at the gallery. It’ll be showing until Jan. 20.
Goldie Thompson, August 24, 2012. She came to Tulsa 16 years ago to attend the University of Tulsa. She’s working as a Curriculum Technology Coach at Central High School. She spilts up her time between her children and sports. She supports the WNBA, TU athletics and she plays tennis. JOHN CLANTON/Tulsa World
Sacha Matheos, December 22, 2012. When she was a kid, she liked bees. “I thought they were my friends,” she says. When she got stung the first time she remembers thinking “he must be a new bee. He doesn’t know me.” A couple of years ago her mother signed her up for beekeeping classes and she started learning how to care for bees in her backyard. She also keeps chickens and a rabbit. It all started with a small garden in the backyard and just keeps growing. JOHN CLANTON/Tulsa World
Sheryl Siddiqui, November 28, 2012. She’s an activist in Tulsa, “trying to find a way to get community-minded residents working together for the community,” she says. “Get people to take down barriers so we can work together.” JOHN CLANTON/Tulsa World
Charlie Hunter, October 17, 2012. A retired truck driver, he says he roasts and sells peanuts from his home in Locust Grove. He says it keeps him active. “If I quit and do nothing, I won’t live long.” JOHN CLANTON/Tulsa World
From top left; Jose Maldonado, Jacque Martin, Ashton Hall, Samantha Kreymborg, Erin Herrmann, Terry Miller, Ronnie Hernandez, Sara De La Hoya/Garrett Haskins, and Craig Clark. Photographed for the Everyday People photo project. JOHN CLANTON/Tulsa World
-Nate Billings
Heart of Dallas Bowl
Oklahoma State’s Jeremy Seaton (44) celebrates with Kye Staley (9), Daniel Koenig (58), and others after a touchdown during the Heart of Dallas Bowl football game between Oklahoma State University and Purdue University at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2013. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
The Oklahoma State Cowboys finished their season and started 2013 with a win in the Heart of Dallas Bowl. Here are some of the pictures Sarah Phipps and Bryan Terry captured at the game.
You can see more photos in our Heart Dallas Bowl gallery.
The Oklahoma State team gathers before the Heart of Dallas Bowl football game between Oklahoma State University and Purdue University at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2013. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
Oklahoma State celebrates a touchdown during the Heart of Dallas Bowl football game between Oklahoma State University (OSU) and Purdue University at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2013. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman
Oklahoma State’s Tyler Johnson (40) pulls down Purdue’s Robert Marve (9) during the Heart of Dallas Bowl football game between Oklahoma State University (OSU) and Purdue University at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2013. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman
Oklahoma State’s Daytawion Lowe (8) runs a fumble recovery back for a touchdown during the Heart of Dallas Bowl football game between Oklahoma State University and Purdue University at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2013. Oklahoma State won 58-14. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
Oklahoma State’s Josh Stewart (5) leaps over Purdue’s Frankie Williams (2) during the Heart of Dallas Bowl football game between Oklahoma State University and Purdue University at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2013. Oklahoma State won 58-14. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
Oklahoma State’s Clint Chelf (10), Blake Jackson (18) and Austin Hays (84) celebrate a Jackson touchdown during the Heart of Dallas Bowl football game between Oklahoma State University (OSU) and Purdue University at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Tuesday,Jan. 1, 2013. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman
Oklahoma State’s Jeremy Smith (31) greets fans at halftime during the Heart of Dallas Bowl football game between Oklahoma State University (OSU) and Purdue University at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Tuesday,Jan. 1, 2013. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman
Looking for more photos from the game? We’ve got them.
-Nate Billings
