icy mix

Lubbock received a few inches of snow early Christmas eve. Having lived in the midwest and Utah all my life, a few inches of snow isn't that big a deal. But here its hard to spot a snow plow or a truck de-icing the roads; which makes for LOTS of stuck cars, sliding cars, and accidents. Interestingly enough, this suburban I photographed below slid off the road due to the ice, but was stuck in inches of mud beneath the snow.
Left: Joe Davila of Lubbock waits in his car for a tow truck after getting stuck on the Marsha Sharp Freeway, Thursday morning in Lubbock.
Right: Carla Baldespino, 12, right, pushes her brother Eric, 6, down a snowy hill at Mae Simmons Park, Thursday morning in Lubbock. Carla said she was very excited for the possibility of a snowy Christmas.

Adam Nguyen, right, and his wife Marie wait Thursday at the Lubbock International Airport, hoping to board a flight to Georgia. Many flights were delayed or canceled Thursday due to ice, wind, and snow.

Ryan Harvey motions to his uncle Raymond Harvey to begin moving his truck to tow his father Roger from the side of Regis Street near the Lubbock Airport, Thursday afternoon. Thursday, Dec. 24, 2009 (Photo by Geoffrey McAllister/Lubbock Avalanche-Journal)

gang pray-ers

Members of the Our Lady of Guadalupe motorcycle group pray for the Salinas family after delivering presents and singing Christmas carols during one of their visits Saturday morning in Lubbock. The group delivered presents and sang Christmas carols to over 15 needy families throughout Lubbock. Saturday, Dec. 19, 2009 (Photo by Geoffrey McAllister/Lubbock Avalanche-Journal)

"Hello," Sloth.

The fam had a great time this week in Dallas visiting the Dallas Aquarium and the JFK Museum, among other things. It was our first family trip to the big D since moving to Lubbock over a year ago. The aquarium was great, way above expectations! And the museum was very thought provoking. It left us with somber feelings as we thought of the horrible events that took place in that building and on that street.

couple exciting games

In the last week I've photographed a few really entertaining high school basketball games. The latest was of in-town rivals, Lubbock Monterey @ Lubbock Coronado. Coronado had a large lead in the first half that quickly disappeared in the second. The game ended in heartbreaking fashion when a non-shooting foul was called with less than 2 seconds left in the game and the score was tied at 68. Monterey got to shoot foul shots, 1 and 1. They made the first and won 69-68.

Monterey's Mikeah Mills, left, Kellyn Schneider and Sarah Radloff celebrate with their team as Coronado's Hailee Roye, right, looks at the scoreboard after missing a desperation shot at the buzzer Monday night in Coronado's gym. Monterey defeated Coronado, 69-68.


Left: Monterey's Haley Schneider, left, shoots over Coronado's Devin Griffin during their game Monday at Coronado. Schneider scored 14 points and grabbed 14 rebounds in Monterey's 69-68 win.
Right: Monterey's Toni Armstrong, left, and Coronado's Hailee Roye battle for a loose ball during Monterey's 69-68 win on Tuesday.
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A week ago I covered the championship game of the Gene Messer Shootout, a West Texas high school tournament. The home team, Lubbock Coronado, was trailing by 10 at the half but fought back for an exciting finish.

Left: Coronado's Quay Johnson, left, scores in front of Ponder's Kaleb Broadstreet after making a steal during the fourth quarter of the championship game of the Gene Messer Shootout Saturday at Frenship. Coronado won 55-50.

Coronado's Quay Johnson, center, dribbles between Ponder's Scott Gregg, left, and Kaleb Broadstreet, during the final minutes of the championship game of the Gene Messer Shootout Saturday at Frenship. Coronado won 55-50.

Our Lady of Guadalupe

Hundreds of Catholic faithful walk down Avenue L in the Diocese of Lubbock Guadalupe Procession Sunday afternoon in Lubbock. The celebration was in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe and was led by Lubbock Bishop Placido Rodriguez.

Sunday, December 6, 2009. (Geoffrey McAllister/Lubbock Avalanche-Journal)
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read Matthew McGowan's related story: Spiritual Journey: March through South Lubbock honors Our Lady of Guadalupe

Lady Raiders top Lobos

Left photo: New Mexico's Valerie Kast, center, blocks a shot from Texas Tech's Ashlee Roberson, left, along side teammate Sara Halasz, right, during the second half of their game at United Spirit Arena, Saturday, December 5, 2009. Texas Tech defeated New Mexico 65-55. (Geoffrey McAllister/Lubbock Avalanche-Journal)

Right photo: Texas Tech's Kierra Mallard, center, and Mary Bokenkamp, right, dive to the floor and steal the ball from New Mexico's Valerie Kast during the first half of their game at United Spirit Arena, Saturday, December 5, 2009. Texas Tech defeated New Mexico 65-55. (Geoffrey McAllister/Lubbock Avalanche-Journal)
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read more on the Texas Tech Lady Raiders HERE.

Texas Tech upsets no. 10 Washington in OT

The AP called me Thursday morning looking for a shooter for the Texas Tech v Washington game. I'm glad I was available because it was a fun game to shoot. One of my favorite images has to be the last in this slideshow of Betty Doris LaRoe, a tech fan, taunting UW as they leave the court after the first half.