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.
Coronado's Suzzy Dimba, right, scores despite the tall defense of Monterey's 6-foot-4 Haley Schneider during their game Tuesday night at Monterey. Coronado won 56-51.
Midland Lee Rebels quarterback Jace Edwards (2) leaps over Monterey Plainsmen defensive back Jordan Vestal (8) to score a touchdown Friday night at Lowrey Field in Lubbock. Midland Lee defeated Monterey 41-14, knocking Monterey out of playoff contention for the first time in 10 years. (Read more from related article: Monterey's playoff streak halts)
Coooper defender Tyler Teter (40) recovers a fumble after Estacado quarterback Kyle Jackson (left) was hit Thursday night at Lowrey Field. Cooper scored on the very next play and defeated Estacado 25-23.
Cooper Pirates cheerleader Alexandra Nanny cheers her team as they and the Estacado Matadors, top, take the field Thursday night at Lowrey Field. In this first match between teams in school history, both team's players wore the number 15 in remembrance of Kelsey Vines who died in a car accident last month.