On Thursday I shot what will probably be my last high school game for 2012 as the Pomona Panthers visited the Arvada West Wildcats. I got to the gym right before the start of the JV game, giving me plenty of time to set up my strobes. However, after I had everything set up, the band showed up, and well, I learned that for the next game, I need to set up on the opposite side of the court so the band is not blocking my strobe, or bring my light stands to elevate my strobes a little higher. I also need to remember that at Arvada West, I need to use my Sports Reflectors on my strobes.

I had shot Arvada West twice before, in the Ralston Round up, and I had shot Pomona twice before at Pomona.  In the games at the Round Up, A-West did not impress me.  They have a couple good players that stood out for me, but they are lacking size.  No true center and no real strong rebounder.  Pomona lost the two games I shot by a good margin.  The Panthers are lacking a inside game.  They have the rebounders, just not a lot of positive 2nd and 3rd chance attempts.  So, either this was going to be a really bad game all around, or it was going to be a real good game.

It ended up being an ok game.  In the first quarter, A-West led the visiting Panthers 15-9, but that was a good first quarter for Pomona.  They kept it close and that is what they need to do.

The second quarter, however, was all the Wildcats.  Arvada West held the Panthers to only 2 points in the second period, and took a 25-11 lead into halftime.  14 points was going to be a lot for Pomona to make up in the second half.

But the Panthers did come out of halftime looking like a different team.  They reversed the rolls and took control of the 3rd quarter, outscoring Arvada West 16 to 7, cutting the Wildcats lead to only 5 points.  Could Pomona, who was 1-7 going into this game beat the 6-2 Wildcats?

Nope.  The 4th quarter was Arvada West’s.  Pomona made a game of it, but were out scored in the final frame by 6 points.  The Wildcats would go on to win the game by a score of 51-40.

I was honestly surprised to see the Arvada West is the highest ranked team in 5A ball for Jeffco schools.  They are currently at #22 where the next highest ranked school in Jeffco is Ralston Valley at #31.  I would have thought RV would have a better ranking, but it looks like after the Ralston Round up, the Mustangs have fallen flat.  Hopefully RV can turn things around come the new year, and A-West can continue their dominance and move up in the rankings.

I like the fact that A-West is so close to my home.  I hope to be able to shoot a lot here, but unfortunately, it looks like it will just be for MaxPreps, because the Wildcats have a team media guy, although, he was not at this game.  I would love to find a school close to me like this that is in need of a team photographer for all their sports programs.

To view and purchase photos from this game, please visit Maxpreps.