2024 Review in Pictures for Bloomington - Normal Sports

So much water under the bridge this year. I could add a lot of context to this post but I think I'll just let the images speak for the year. 50 of several thousand frames this year. Maybe not the best ones, but I like them all for what they say to me. I can't post 50, so click the link and enjoy!

World class images from the Best Look in Sports Action Photography in Bloomington - Normal, McLean County and the 309 area code.
https://alanlookphotography.zenfoliosite.com/2025-favorites?ct=2

 

2024 State Farm Intercity Basketball Tournament Champions - Normal Community High School Ironmen

Earlier this week the last 2 games of the 2024 inaugural State Farm Intercity Basketball Tournament at the Shirk Center in Bloomington IL wrapped up it's activities. The CEO and president of State Farm, Jon Farney was on hand to receive a complimentary ball in thanks for the company sponsoring the tournament. Jon had played in the tournaments predecessor as a student athlete at Normal Community High School when the tournament had no sponsor and was simply known as the Intercity Basketball Tournament. Both iterations of this tournament pit the high schools of Bloomington Normal against each other. Those teams being Bloomington High School Purple Raiders, Bloomington Central Catholic Saints, Normal Community Ironmen, Normal Community West Wildcats and the University High Pioneers. The tournament is coed and the addition of the State Farm sponsorship enabled the playing of both brackets to be played at the Shirk Center in the same week with as many as 4 games a day in some cases.

The NCHS Ironmen dominated this years tournament in both the boys and girls brackets adding a pair of trophies to the Normal Community trophy cases.

A good selection of world class sports images of many of the games played at this years tournament are available from Alan Look Photography online at his website. Be sure to check out the videos!

 The Normal Community Lady Ironmen basketball team took home the hardware last night for the State Farm Intercity Basketball Tournaments girls bracket after defeating the Saints of Bloomington Central Catholic.  The Lady Iron defeated the Normal West Lady Wildcats, University High School Lady Pioneers and the Bloomington Lady Purple Raiders on previous days play leaving them in sole possession of 1st place.

In other action on the late part of the bracket November 29th, 2024 were the Central Catholic Saints challenging the Normal Community Ironmen on the boys bracket.  Earlier play pitted the University High Pioneers against the Normal Community West Wildcats on both the girls and boys brackets.  

Play continues on Saturday November 30th.

Be sure to heck out all the photos and videos from the Intercity games that Alan Look Photography covered.

  Be sure to check out the photos from the State Farm Intercity Basketball Tournament from Alan Look Photography!  Here's a sample from the Wednesday night games between UHigh Pioneers and Normal Ironmen.  

Redbird Classic - a real winner!

Illinois State University Redbird Women's Volleyball hosted a 4 team volleyball this past weekend.  Participating visiting teams were #7 ranked Marquette Golden Eagles, #7 ranked University or Illinois Fighting Illini and the Knights from the University of Central Florida.  Events kicked off on Friday evening with the Knights and Golden Eagles followed by ISU v the Illini.  Both those matches went 4 sets with Golden Eagles defeating the Knights and ISU upsetting the Illini!

On Saturday UCF took on the Illini in a morning match.  The Illini fell once again moving their record in the tournament to 0-2 and setting UCF's record to 1-1.  The evening matchups included a 5:30 match between UCF and Illinois State and the nightcap was Marquette and the Illini.  Both matches went 5 sets, both thrillers with ISU taking the win over UCF and the Illini besting Marquette.

Sunday afternoon, the final match between Marquette and Illinois State was nothing short of epic.  Marquette opened by taking the first set.  ISU returned to the floor for the second set with an improved look, taking it to tie the match and then coming in the 3rd set to take 2 straight both at a score of 25-18.  Marquette struggled back in the 4th set to tie the match and forcing the 5th.  The score in the 5th seesawed back and forth past the normal 2 ahead at 15 to win and eventually ending at a score of 21-19 with Marquette on top.

Final results for the tournament by team were:
ISU - 2-1
Marquette - 3-1
UCF - 1-2

Illini - 1-2

There was some really great volleyball played this weekend.  We encourage everyone to get out and see these teams.

Photo coverage can be found here:  https://alanlook.photoshelter.com/gallery/2019-Illinois-State-Redbirds-Volleyball-photos/G0000M5uXz0kVczI/C0000jPKkS1Kv84g

Sacred Heart Griffin Cyclones defeat the Pioneers of University High

In a conference game and on Senior Night at University High, the Cyclones of Sacred Heart Griffin whistle past the Pioneers 71-46.  The Cyclones started quickly and moved to an 8 point lead before the Pioneers could muster a single point and that one from the charity stripe after a missed layup.  I don't watch the scoreboard closely or read the stats, but it didn't appear the Pioneers ever came within 7 the rest of the game.  They did put together a few nice runs, but it was just never enough.

Charlie Hamilton of the Cyclones scored 25 points, getting open shots frequently.  Nick Broeker dumped in 15.

Photo Gallery!

Play4Kay at Redbird Arena

The annual Play4Kay women's basketball game at Redbird Arena this year was held on Sunday February 10 and featured the Indiana State Sycamores and the Illinois State Redbirds.  The normal faire of stationary bikes, treadmills, raffles, t-shirts, etc., helped to raise $20,000 for the Kay Foundations campaign against cancer.  For those that don't know, the foundation is named for famed women's college basketball coach Kay Yow.

A couple of pretty interesting things at this years game were the sneakers worn by Illinois State coach Kristen Gillespie.  The sneakers were a one of a kind pair that were commissioned by the foundation.  Several pairs of sneakers were made, and to my understanding were all different.  All the sneakers were given to different coaches across the country.  The pair worn by Coach Gillespie were auctioned off in a silent auction and transferred to the winner after the game.

The other item that was interesting was a result of the lighting upgrade over the past year.  The new LED lights that are aimed at the dome are color adjustable.  Normally patrons of the arena have seen them in Red.  During the "Pink" game, the lights were set to pink.  It's a really interesting feature and it will be interesting how they are used in the future.

Images from the game can be viewed here!  It's a small gallery, but more can be found by looking in the 2018-19 Illinois State Women's basketball gallery!  We hope you enjoy the views!

Lady Redbirds tackle the Eastern Michigan Eagles

The 3-4 Lady Redbirds moved to 4 and 4 on the season today after hosting and defeating the 2-6 (now 2-7) Lady Eagles of Eastern Michigan.  The game started out with the Redbirds taking the lead, a lead they never relinquished.  Quarterly scores were: 13-3, 26-12, 44-28, and the final 65-56.  Officiating crew for todays game was LaSha Hopson, Andrew Bills and Todd Moistner.

2015 November Issue of Best Look Magazine

Best Look Magazine, Volume 4 Issue 4, November 2015

By Alan Look in Best Look Magazine

32 pages, published 11/10/2015

Best Look Magazine, Volume 4 Issue 4, November 2015

The 2015 November Issue of Best Look Magazine has arrived. The front cover features a High Dynamic Range image of the Normal Theater in Normal taken during the Sugar Creek Arts Festival in July.  The rear cover is a shot of the memorial at Illinois State University that remembers the 7-
Aaron Leech, Torrey Ward, Scott Bittner, Jason Jones, Andrew Butler, Terry Stralow and Thomas Hileman who lost their lives in a plane crash on their way home from the NCAA basketball tournament in April.  Other features in this issue - a wrap up of the Normal CornBelters winning season, McLean County Antique Automobile Associations annual car show, Sugar Creek Arts Festival, a preview of the State Farm Holiday Classic basketball tournament, Ron Knisley Memorial Shootout, some highlights from the very wet Friday Night football games, the blood red moon and eclipse, volleyball and football from both Illinois State and Illinois Wesleyan and It's Official makes a return.

Be sure to look up our sponsors.  They probably offer something you want or need.  Buy local where most of the money from your purchase returns to our local economy.

Illinois State Redbirds defeat Northern Iowa Panthers in conference play

Family Day had Hancock Stadium at standing room only and the tailgates all full. Governor Rauner was on hand as well as comedian Bill Engvall.  Both teams came into the square off with records of 2 wins and a loss.  The Redbirds loss was to Iowa.  The Redbirds switched up quarterbacks most of the game with Jake Kolbe getting the first snap and Tre Roberson coming in and out.  Jay Blunk, a graduate of ISU and a member of the Chicago Blackhawks stopped by with a big shiny cup often referred to as a Stanley Cup which brought a round of applause from the fans.  Redbirds took the game to go to a record of 3-1 and 1-0 in the Missouri Valley Football Conference.

Be sure to check out the Normalite Newspapers and Best Look Magazine for more photo coverage from the Best Look in Sports Action Photography in Bloomington - Normal.




20151003 Northern Iowa at Illinois State football photo gallery - Images by Alan Look

 - Chimper