BetterBNC

Place Name: First Place
Contestant Name: McCallum High School - The Shield Online
Entry Title: Carlson kills it on the court
Entry Credit: Shila Gill
Judge Comment: While other images evoked more immediate emotional responses due to the proximity and intensity of the reactions, the first-place winner drew us in with the depth of reaction and every single player engaged in the celebration. The unabated joy, celebrating a teammate's milestone, was palatable. The more we studied this photo, the more we appreciated it. Sure, at first glance, we wished the player celebrating her 1000th kill was facing us, but the fact that she faces her team and each and everyone is absolutely locked in the moment with her, makes this rise to the top. Love the leaping teammate in the background. The well-written in-depth caption, almost a mini story, added context that made the journalistic part of this shine.

Place Name: Second Place
Contestant Name: Catawba Ridge High School - The Venom
Entry Title: Sports Reaction: Grin and Wear It
Entry Credit: Olivia Call
Judge Comment: In this cleverly titled "Grin and Wear It" celebration image, the elation of the player in the lower right seals the deal. Proximity to the celebration makes it that much more intense. No wasted space. Immediate impact.

Place Name: Third Place
Contestant Name: McCallum High School - The Shield Online
Entry Title: Helmet stand touchdown celebration hits House Park
Entry Credit: Julia Copas
Judge Comment: Sometimes different is good. In a sea of celebratory images, this helmet headstand is unexpected enough to garner a second look. Clean shooting with a long lens. Teammates around celebrating to contrast with his upside down maneuver may have moved this up in the ranks.

Competition Comment: Very strong category with much discussion and repositioning of the three winners. Lots of in-your-face celebrations, sideline jube and celebratory antics to choose among. Have a lot of up and coming sports shooters who are putting in their time on the sidelines to improve their game. Stiff competition with impactful images.

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