Out of trouble

Madison Edgewood's Johnny Decker follows his shot from a tree-line on the 10th hole in the final round of the WIAA State Boys Golf Tournament at University Ridge Golf Course in Madison, Wis., Tuesday, June 10, 2014. M.P. KING -- State Journal

Down came the rain

Athletes and fans run for cover from a downpour as storms suspended competition at the WIAA State Track and Field Meet in La Crosse, Wis., Saturday, June 7, 2014. M.P. KING -- State Journal

Swan Ride

From left, Ya-fen Szczesny and her daughters Lin-li, 11, and Gail, 6, all of Horicon, Wis., paddle a swan-shaped pedal boat into a dock at Wingra Park in Madison, Wis., Friday, May 30, 2014. M.P. KING -- State Journal

VetsRoll carries heroes to war memorials, home to loving arms

Family, friends and community members look down Riverside Drive, anticipating the return of about 200 veterans to the Eclipse Center in Beloit, Wis., Wednesday, May 21, 2014. The veterans were returning from a four-day trip with VetsRoll to visit war memorials in Washington, D.C.  M.P. KING -- State Journal

 Handheld American flags rest on a lawn chair as loved ones wait for the return of about 200 veterans to Beloit.

 A motorcycle escort precedes motor-coaches as the veterans approach the Eclipse Center in Beloit.

Fireworks explode in the sky as veterans disembark a motor-coach at the Eclipse Center in Beloit.

Homes lost

Displaced residents huddle at the scene of an apartment building fire at 9 Loomis Circle in Madison, Wis., as firefighters (below) work to control the blaze Wednesday, May 14, 2014. M.P. KING -- State Journal

Young Entrepreneurs

Senior Cedric Kovacs-Johnson, left, and junior Taylor Fahey observe a calibration procedure on a 3D-printer as they exhibit their service at the G. Steven Burrill Business Plan Competition at UW-Madison's Grainger Hall in Madison, Wis., Friday, May 2, 2014. Kovacs-Johnson and Fahey's business plan involves a system that brings full-color 3D printing to every fused deposition modeling 3D printer at a fraction of the current cost.  M.P. KING -- State Journal

NCAA Tournament: UCONN wins it all

It was a luxurious experience to shoot the 2014 NCAA Men's Championship. With "no dog in the fight" so-to-speak (the team I cover, Wisconsin, was eliminated on Saturday), I had no deadline and was under no pressure to actually produce anything usable.

I also had no shooting spot on the floor. But thanks to the generous support of our friends at Canon Professional Services (thank you!), they loaned me a new 600mm lens to shoot from one of the elevated shooting positions in the stands. Here's a few mild successes... 

 Kentucky Wildcats guard James Young dunks the ball for two points, drawing a shooting foul from Connecticut Huskies center Amida Brimah (35) in the second half of the NCAA Men's Championship game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, Monday, April 7, 2014.  M.P. KING -- State Journal

 Connecticut Huskies players rush the floor to celebrate their win over the Kentucky Wildcats.

Kentucky Wildcats fans react to their team's loss.

 A Kentucky Wildcats fan sits alone after her team's loss.

Connecticut Huskies players celebrate their victory with the championship trophy.

NCAA Final Four: Badgers fall to Kentucky in 74-73 heart-breaker

 

Kentucky Wildcats forward Alex Poythress (22) dunks the ball for two points over Wisconsin Badgers forward Duje Dukan (13) and guard Ben Brust (1) in the first half of a NCAA Final Four game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, Saturday, April 5, 2014.  M.P. KING -- State Journal

 

 Wisconsin Badgers guard Ben Brust (1) passes to teammate Josh Gasser, out of frame, through the legs of Kentucky Wildcats guard James Young in the first half.  M.P. KING -- State Journal

Wisconsin Badgers head coach Bo Ryan talks to his players during a timeout in the second half.  M.P. KING -- State Journal

Wisconsin Badgers guard Josh Gasser (21) defends Kentucky Wildcats guard Aaron Harrison (2) on an inbounding play in the second half. M.P. KING -- State Journal

Wisconsin Badgers guard Traevon Jackson (12) tries to drive to the basket around Kentucky Wildcats center Dakari Johnson in the second half.  M.P. KING -- State Journal

 Wisconsin Badgers guard Traevon Jackson (12) is fouled on a three-point shot attempt by Kentucky Wildcats guard Andrew Harrison (5) late in the second half. Jackson made two of three foul shots to give the Badgers a two-point lead in the final minute of the game.  M.P. KING -- State Journal

Kentucky Wildcats guard Aaron Harrison (2) hits a game-winning three-point shot in the final seconds of the game.  M.P. KING -- State Journal

 Kentucky Wildcats guard Aaron Harrison (2) reacts to his game-winning three-point shot in the final seconds of the game.  M.P. KING -- State Journal

Wisconsin Badgers head coach Bo Ryan consoles guard Traevon Jackson after he missed a shot at the buzzer in the team's loss to Kentucky.  M.P. KING -- State Journal

 Wisconsin Badgers forward Sam Dekker reacts to his team's loss to Kentucky.  M.P. KING -- State Journal

 

 Wisconsin Badgers guard Traevon Jackson reacts to his missed shot at the buzzer, and his team's loss to Kentucky.  M.P. KING -- State Journal

 

 Wisconsin Badgers guard Josh Gasser (21) and forward Duje Dukan walk off the floor after their team's loss to Kentucky.  M.P. KING -- State Journal

 Kentucky Wildcats guard Andrew Harrison (5) is congratulated by Kentucky assistant coach John Robic after the team defeated the Wisconsin Badgers.  M.P. KING -- State Journal

 A Wisconsin Badgers fan reacts to the team's loss to Kentucky.  M.P. KING -- State Journal

 

Wisconsin Badgers forwards Frank Kaminsky, left, and Zach Bohannon walk out of the stadium after the team's loss to the Kentucky Wildcats. Kaminsky ripped down the team sign from outside of the locker room.  M.P. KING -- State Journal

After OT thriller, Wisconsin heads to the Final Four

LEFT: Wisconsin Badgers forward Frank Kaminsky (44) blocks the shot of Arizona Wildcats guard Jordin Mayes (20) in the first half of a NCAA West Regional Final at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., Saturday, March 29, 2014. RIGHT: Kaminsky (44) reacts to his three-pointer in the first half. M.P. KING -- State Journal

 Arizona Wildcats guard Nick Johnson (13) attempts a shot after time expires in his team's overtime loss to the Wisconsin Badgers.  M.P. KING -- State Journal

Wisconsin Badgers players celebrate their overtime win over the Arizona Wildcats.  M.P. KING -- State Journal

 

 Wisconsin Badgers players take a "selfie" photograph while celebrating their win over the Arizona Wildcats.  M.P. KING -- State Journal

Wisconsin Badgers head coach Bo Ryan cuts down a net after his team's win over the Arizona Wildcats.  M.P. KING -- State Journal

Bears down, Wisconsin advances to Elite 8

LEFT: Wisconsin Badgers forward Frank Kaminsky (44) blocks a shot by Baylor Bears guard Gary Franklin (4) in the first half of a NCAA Sweet 16 game at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., Thursday, March 27, 2014.  RIGHT: Kaminsky (44) dives for a loose ball as Baylor Bears forward Cory Jefferson (34) follows the play in the second half.  M.P. KING -- State Journal

Baylor Bears head coach Scott Drew, center, sits on his team's bench with his coaching staff in the second half of the team's loss to the Wisconsin Badgers.  M.P. KING -- State Journal

Wisconsin Badgers players, from left, center Evan Anderson (32), forward Vitto Brown (30), and guard Traevon Jackson (12) walk off the floor after their win over the Baylor Bears.  M.P. KING -- State Journal

Wisconsin Ready for the Sweet 16

 

Wisconsin Badgers guard Zak Showalter (33) practices fast-paced dribbling with two balls on the baseline as teammates shoot around at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., Wednesday, March 26, 2014. The Badgers play a Sweet 16 game against the Baylor Bears Thursday evening.  M.P. KING -- State Journal

March Madness: Wisconsin advances to the Sweet 16

Wisconsin Badgers guard Traevon Jackson (12) brings the ball up the court guarded by Oregon Ducks guard Johnathan Loyd (10) in the first half of a third round NCAA tournament game at the BMO Harris Bradley Center in Milwaukee, Saturday, March 22, 2014.  M.P. KING -- State Journal

 Wisconsin Badgers forward Frank Kaminsky (44) gets two points on a put-back as forward Sam Dekker (15) slides out of bounds in the first half.  M.P. KING -- State Journal

 Wisconsin Badgers forward Sam Dekker (15) reacts to being hit in the face late in the first half.  M.P. KING -- State Journal

 Wisconsin Badgers forward Sam Dekker (15) comes to the bench injured late in the first half.  M.P. KING -- State Journal

 LEFT: Wisconsin Badgers forward Frank Kaminsky (44) is fouled by Oregon Ducks guard Damyean Dotson (21) late in the first half. RIGHT: Kaminsky (44) blocks a shot by Oregon Ducks guard Jason Calliste (12) in the second half.  M.P. KING -- State Journal

Heading back to the bench for a timeout, Wisconsin Badgers guard Josh Gasser (21) celebrates his team's comeback in the second half.  M.P. KING -- State Journal 

 LEFT: Wisconsin Badgers forward Sam Dekker (15) unsuccessfully defends against a three-pointer made by Oregon Ducks guard Joseph Young (3) in the second half. RIGHT: Wisconsin Badgers head coach Bo Ryan reacts to a missed shot by his team in the second half.  M.P. KING -- State Journal

Wisconsin Badgers guard Traevon Jackson (12) is shoved by Oregon Ducks guard Jason Calliste (12), leading to a technical foul in the final seconds of the game.  M.P. KING -- State Journal 

 Wisconsin Badgers guard Traevon Jackson (12), facing, left, and teammates celebrate their win over the Oregon Ducks.  M.P. KING -- State Journal

LEFT: Wisconsin Badgers head coach Bo Ryan and his team leave the floor celebrating their win over the Oregon Ducks. RIGHT: Oregon Ducks guard Joseph Young (3) leaves the floor after the game. M.P. KING -- State Journal