Pioneers and Raiders top their opponents in Intercity play by a combined 7 points.

Boys Intercity always has a couple good rivalry games.  For years, the Central Catholic Saints and the University High Pioneers have had a pretty good one.  This years seems no different, maybe even a little moreso since they are now in different conferences.  The whole game was a back and forth affair that had the Saints trailing most of the night.  They closed the gap in the 4th quarter and nearly won it in the last minutes with a foul to get the ball back strategy.  In the end, the Pioneers remained on top by 4.

BHS and NCHS have had a rivalry for years, even before Normal West came to exist.  The game last night was between the West Wildcats and the Bloomington Raiders.  They also have a rivalry, but with 2 of the best players in the state - one on each team - the game took on a tone of its own.  The Shirk Center was 3 rows deep of standing room only during the 4th quarter of the earlier game.  At the start of this affair the SRO had dwindled to just one row.  Lots of fans stayed to watch this game.  The game didn't disappoint.  There were at least 4 dunks, 2 intentional fouls and one good discussion between an official and a coach.  It was maybe the best high school basketball game we have seen in 5 years.  In the end, the Raiders took it by 3 points.

BHS can't get it started

02 September 2014 - In an intercity rivalry game, the Normal Community Ironmen football team visited the strips of the Bloomington High Raiders.  The Raiders just couldn't get it going leaving the Ironmen outscoring them 41-20 at the final horn.

Check the Normalite Newspaper and Best Look Magazine for extended coverage and Alan Look Photography for more Bloomington - Normal sports photos.



20141003 Normal Community Ironmen at Bloomington Raiders Football photos - Images by Alan Look

 - Chimper -

Bloomington Normal Sports Photos

This is Alan Look Photography's 14/15th year at being the Best Look in Bloomington Normal Sports Photos.  Alan begin this career shooting for the Normalite in December of 1999. Over the past years he has licensed many sports images to clients locally, nationally, and internationally.  He's also captured many memories from some great local high school events.  Check out what he has to offer and check back each week to see more of the best in sports action photography in McLean County.  Look him up on FaceBook and find out how to get a discount on your next order of $15 or more.

Find all the latest high school sports action here!

 - Chimper -

A weekend of Basketball in Bloomington

There were more exciting games in Bloomington - Normal this weekend than one sports shooter could handle.  Friday night started it off with games at both U High and Bloomington.  With the Bloomington Raiders hosting the Normal West Wildcats, it was a pick to watch the intercity rivals.  Bloomington came out on top this round.



20140207 West Wildcats at Bloomington Raiders boys basketball photos - Images by Alan Look

On Saturday, it was the annual Pink Games at Illinois Wesleyan as both the Men's and Women's teams hosted the Elmhurst Bluejays.  Both genders of the Titans sported some Pink and proceeds from a raffle and other fan oriented events went to the fight on breast cancer.  The Titans came out winners as well as they bested the Bluejays in both games.



20140208 Elmhurst Bluejays at Illinois Wesleyan Women's Basketball photos - Images by Alan Look



20140208 Elmhurst Bluejays at Illinois Wesleyan Men's basketball photos - Images by Alan Look

www.alanlook.com - Chimper

2013 Basketball starts in Bloomington Normal

Seems like most years the basketball season in Bloomington Normal for me starts with the Intercity Tournament.  This year it was a little bit different.  The ISU Men got my attention first, then the IWU Men.  Intercity Girls were third and then the Intercity Boys.  ISU and IWU Women have thus far eluded my schedule even though both have had home games.  Some weekends just don't seem to have enough days!  I'm sure everyone feels that.

ISU had one in town Exhibition game at Redbird against Quincy.  It was a good opening.  The first IWU game I arrived at was against Aurora.  I believe I've seen all the intercity teams ( Bloomington Raiders, Normal Ironmen, Normal West Wildcats, UHigh Pioneers and Central Catholic Saints) for both genders.  I also got to cover a Bloomington Thunder ice hockey game against the Southern Professional Hockey League leaders, the Louisiana Ice Gators.

It's only going to get busier, so watch for the galleries to be posted at www.alanlook.com and coverage in the Normalite and Best Look Magazine!

Nick Anderson gets an up and over

Paul Arnott & Chris Wilson

Girls Intercity game between NCHS and Bloomington tips off

Players from University High and Normal West fight for possession

Central Catholic Saints player controls ball while pressed by a defender from Bloomington

U High sports some serious grey uniforms while defending against Normal Community

Normal West takes it to the hoop against Central Catholic

Jordan Wilson, Herm Señor II and Reggie Lynch all reach for the same rebound

The rivalry continues between Bloomington and Normal

Hope you enjoy the images!

 - Chimper

Cody White, BHS at West, and El Paso-Gridley takes 3rd in 2a IHSA Girls

Another busy weekend finally settling down.  Don't think we are quite caught up, but all the images are worked, sent to the publisher and posted online.

Friday night at High Schools are always fun and work filled.  Adding a local celebrity appearance and the work just about doubles.  It's all good, I really enjoy seeing the local youth that I've photographed and followed make it above and beyond the high school level.  Cody White is one of those.  He was a multiple sport athlete at Normal Community West High School.  As a football Wildcat, he wore #5.  After graduation, he played for the Redbirds at Illinois State and for his senior year, he place the offensive line that allowed the fewest sacks ever in ISU history.  I believe it was 5 or 6 for the whole year.  Last year, he began the football season with the Houston Texans in the NFL.  THe first 4 games of the season he was on their practice squad.  After being approached by another team, the Texans promoted him to the regular roster.

It was also Senior night at West, so you can find images of both Cody and the senior night basketball game against BHS by clicking here - BHS Raiders at Normal West Wildcats, Cody White Night photos.

Saturday was dedicated to the IHSA Girls Basketball 2A 3rd place game between Walther Lutheran Lady Broncos and El Paso-Gridley Titans.  The first half was nip and tuck, but the Titans pulled away in the 3rd quarter to finish over the Lady Broncos at the final buzzer.  It wasn't the most physical game I've witnessed but the more than usual contact made the game exciting.  This was the Lady Titans first time to the Illinois High School Association State Finals.  Images are here:  IHSA 2A 3rd place game Walther Lutheran Lady Broncos v El Paso-Gridley Lady Titans basketball photos.

Looking is always free, but please consider supporting your local photographers.  Also be sure to look in the Normalite Newspapers for coverage and Best Look Magazine.

Others with photos from the IHSA 3rd place game are:
Jmax Photo and John Power Photography

-chimper-

Boys Intercity Title taken by Uhigh

Two great games at Shirk last night for the Boys intercity.  One always fun rivalry - West v Community, with a twist this year.  Three Seibrings played.  Two brothers for NCHS and  their cousin for West.

Then, it was the title game between Uhigh and Bloomington.  Very up tempo.  Bloomington charged out to the lead, but University came back in the 4th quarter to claim the W and the award.

Look for the stories in the Normalite and Best Look Magazine.
Images as always Alan Look Photography

Bloomington - Normal Illinois InterCity Football

The intercity games were played on Friday night.  As most know, they were moved to NCHS and CCHS this year due to the renovation work that has begun on Hancock Stadium at Illinois State University.  Best Look Magazine covered the 1st have of each game.  We had to cut it short because of the uninvited but welcomed rain from the remnants of Hurricane Isaac.  John Power Photography covered the University High Pioneers and the Central Catholic Saints.  Alan Look Photography covered the Bloomington High School Purple Raiders and the Normal Community Ironmen.  Images will be available on each photographers website.  If you don't see them, check back later.

Here is a direct link to the 2012 BHS v NCHS intercity game. Other high school games and events exposed by Alan Look can be found here : 2012 - 13 High School Sports Galleries

Friday Night half lights

Friday night the action at Hancock began at 4pm with intercity foes Uhigh and Bloomington Central Catholic at odds on the gridiron. The Saints of CCHS came out on top at the end of the 4 quarters 33-7. The defense of the Pioneers of UHS looked good getting a number of sacks, stops and blocked passes but they just couldn't outlast the toughness of the Saints.

Then it was on to the half of Intercity played under the lights, the Normal Community Ironmen matching up with the Raiders of Bloomington High. The Iron heated up and struck first high stepping into the north endzone and following up with a PAT. In the 2nd half, the Raiders botched a field goal attempt by not getting the ball down. THe handler picked it up and the Raider scored a TD instead. The score at the end was 21-14.

Between games the athletic directors awarded a participation plaque to Sandy Adams of YouNameItSports.

A big thanks to the weather Gods, temp and sky were wonderful.


20090904 Intercity Football - Images by Alan Look