San Diego State worked Hampton in the finals of the Shootout, 76-47. It won't be remembered as one of the most competitive championship games, but the Aztecs did put on a clinic. Names to remember: DJ Gay, named player of the game, and Kyle Spain, player of the tournament.
DJ Gay storms the paint.Strip club.Hampton's Donte Harrison winces.

Bob Hallinen brings you this quick trip around the arena- a time lapse video shot over the past couple days at the Shootout.

Return to Shootout Blog homepage

The Hampton men wait to get on the court.The Hampton men wait to get on the floor. The Shootout championship tips off in 40 minutes.

Hannah Toomey runs through the routine with UAA's Air Force ROTC color guard before the start of the championship.

Heavy snow coming down now, as fans file into the Sully for the final set of games.

Western Carolina goes to work.Catamounts coach Larry Hunter: "You're not breathing hard, so you're not playing hard. You got to understand that."WCU guard Harouna Mutombo.After a win, Western Carolina poses for pictures. Most of them, anyway.

Behind the stands, the Alaskanette Baton Corps stages for a halftime performance. Group leader Carrie Jerger says ABC twirlers have performed at about 25 Great Alaska Shootouts.Ready for a spin.

We're one game deep into the final day of the Great Alaska Shootout. UAA avoided going winless by defeating Louisiana Tech, their first Shootout win since the second round of 2006. Here's a tour of the arena:
Doing laps during the playing of the William Tell Overture.UAA coach Rusty Osborne calls the shots.
Brandon Walker walks off happy.Ending on a positive note.The team is congratulated by Gov. Palin.

In Friday's late game, San Diego State jumped on top of Seattle and stayed there. The Aztecs will face Hampton in the title bout tomorrow.
Seattle's Chris Gweth is slow to get up.Box out.

The first semifinal game of the Shootout was an overtime thriller. Portland State scratched and clawed their way to a tie score at the end of regulation, but Hampton led throughout overtime. The Pirates advance to Saturday's championship.
Loud and ready.Hampton's Donte Harrison, left, and Portland State's Jamie Jones.Harrison finishes the alley-oop.Jordan Brooks in traffic.Hampton coach Kevin Nickelberry loves it when a plan comes together.

Sarah, swarmed.Snapshots.
Gov. Sarah Palin was mobbed walking around the arena this afternoon. Photographer Bob Hallinen got a couple photos of the scene she attracted.

On display before the start of the first semi-final game: the worst Sarah Palin poser ever. He was unsuccessful in trying to win a court-side couch seat.
Green and gold gov.

Ball players love tattoos these days, it seems. Here's a closer look at a few inked-up arms at the Shootout this year.
"True Soldier" and "Smile Now. Cry Later."Scary zombie baller."Addicted 2 Da Game"Playboy logo. Another zombie figure.Basketball breaking handcuffs. (Photo by Bob)

Thanksgiving was yesterday, but Western Carolina's Harouna Mutombo enjoys some stuffing today against Louisiana Tech.
With authority

Kicks
Basketball shoes weren't nearly as cool when I rode the bench on my high school JV team. I asked my buddy Spencer, a sneaker aficionado, if he was impressed. He had this to say:

"Full disclosure: I’m a Nike man. The Powermaxes in the middle (Hampton men) are my No. 1 pick, because they have plenty of cushioning and that blue and white colorway is simple and stylish.

"The player up top (Northern Illinois men) seems to be having no problems staying nimble, and as Jordan proved, black and red makes almost every shoe look better.

"It can be a bit odd for me to see a college squad outfitted with shelltoes (Cal State Northridge women). The throwback styling sometimes makes me think more of break dancing than basketball, but the black patent leather on these new high-top models makes them look all-business."
Return to Shootout Blog homepage

Sam Gerlek, left, and Milo Stickle-Frizzell say they get a much better look at the game from highest row of the Sullivan Arena, better than if they were sitting courtside. If you say so, boys.
Seeing it all.Return to Shootout Blog homepage

At halftime of the UAA v. Northern Illinois game, the Denali All-Stars fly high for the crowd.

Return to Shootout Blog homepage

The Huskies' bench likes the look of a late run against the Seawolves.
They like it like that.Return to Shootout Blog homepage

I didn't stray far from the sofa today, but Bob Hallinen was working hard when Seattle U. faced Louisiana Tech. Here's a look at a few scenes from high above the hardwood.
Happy Thanksgiving.
Eyes on the prize.Young entertainers.Return to Shootout Blog homepage

Coach Hillsman, post-game interview.Not pleased.
Returning to last night’s women’s championship game one more time: As I was piecing together my video of the UAA celebration in the Sullivan’s media workspace, it was hard not to notice that Syracuse coach Quentin Hillsman was speaking with vehemence to reporters nearby. I heard him use the word “cheating.” I grabbed a camera and went over to see what was up.

I wasn’t sure what his gripe was about, and I can’t say whether or not his concerns are legit. But watching him question the integrity of the referees, then the reporters asking questions, was noteworthy. Before he was done he said he had never had so many pictures of him taken at an interview (I made 25 frames).

I had the whole scene in mind this morning when I read Doyle Woody’s column on the demeanor of UAA coach Tim Moser, the other coach in that championship game.

Read Doyle Woody's column on Tim Moser

Return to Shootout Blog homepage

UAA dropped their Shootout opener to Hampton in the first game of the men's tourney Wednesday.Lonnie Ridgeway lost his footing.Hampton's George DeGroat. Ouch.Return to Shootout Blog homepage