John M. Setzler, Jr.

I think I’m due for a break.  I just finished up two solid weeks of basketball for the newspaper.  I traveled to Mars Hill College in Weaverville, NC last night to cover two of our local teams who were competing in the 3A Western Sectional Finals.  The game times were slated for 6:30pm and 8:00pm.  Hickory High’s girls defeated North Bumcombe by a score of 65-45 to advance to the next round.  St. Stephens’ boys lost a triple-overtime heartbreaker to Olympic by a score of 76-78. 

Hickory’s Girls will be traveling to Winston-Salem this week for two games that will determine who goes to Raleigh for the Finals.  The other teams joining Hickory in this race are TC Roberson, Eastern Randolph, and Carver.  The dates, times, and pairings for these games will be announced later today by the NCHSAA.  I’m not sure if I will be covering any of the play during the coming week, but if Hickory advances to the final in this segment, I’ll be there to cover it next Saturday.  I’m expeciting Hickory’s girls to be in the state finals.

The bad thing about basketball season being close to finished is that I’ll be tossed back outside VERY soon.  Baseball and girls soccer is starting up as we speak.  I may get a little downtime though.

I have been so busy with sports lately that my SIGNS OF THE TIMES project has been suffering.  It’s Sunday and I haven’t done a photo for that this week yet.  I’m going to have to scramble to find a candidate for that before the end of the day.  I’m working all day at the newspaper today, so that may prove to be a challenge. 

I have a couple interesting photo assignments today.  At 2:30, I’m going to photograph a guy who makes gospel music CDs and sends them the troops in Iraq.  At 3:30, I am going to a Dr. Seuss birthday celebration at the local library.  At 5:30, I’m going to a Black Arts Festival in Newton. 

I don’t have but one day of class this comign week.  Thursday and Friday are holidays of some sort at school, and since I’m only in class on Tuesday and Thursday, I get a week out.  I think it’s going to give me some time to work on some of my own photography this week. 

Anyway… have a nice day :)