During season two IASAS, watching from home at ISB to support basketball and tennis, I had yet to go to a girls basketball game. It was the last class on a friday, nothing but photography left until the weekend. As I stroll in, slightly late, I listen as my teacher announces to the class that this period will be dedicated to taking IASAS photos. All around me peers share with each other all the images they have taken over the last forty-eight hours, some with well over five hundred. I bolt out of class, camera in hand in search of the first game I see… ISB vs ISKL. As I prepared to watch my first girls game of the tournament, I decided to sit directly under the net, and next thing I knew other photography students joined me.
By the time half time rolled around ISB was up 23-12, almost putting up double their opponents numbers. As me and my camera were traveling across the gym to sit under ISB’s new scoring basket, we walked past the bleachers. I saw hundreds of fans cheering on the home team on both sides of the gym, chanting and cheering for our squad. Many laughing, smiling, and hanging out with friends, some even holding posters. Before I knew it the whistle was blown and half two was underway.
When the final whistle blew I had a new understanding of ISB’s girl basketball. The game ended 37-21 in an outstanding ISB victory, soon to be named MVP Mandy having 18 points in her performance. When I had walked into that game I hadn’t thought about the team much, but as the game progressed I saw teamwork, unity, and courage from everyone, with everything they had been left on the court. The atmosphere from the full bleachers – students cheering hip-to-hip, the effort displayed on the court by both teams, and of course the ISB win made it a game to remember. ISB ended up placing fourth in Iasas, just shy of a medal, but I am grateful I stumbled upon and got to experience their game. If you ever have the chance to watch, or play, ISB girls basketball it is something you wont regret.
