Every now and then as I edit through hundreds of photos that I take covering local sports for this website I run across an image that leaves me dumbfounded. 

The image above of Aberdeen Central’s Lauryn Burckhard getting a hand to the face from Brookings’ Macy Even during their recent game is of course funny at first glance. All my career I have been taught that photographs should evoke an emotional reaction. So in this case I have done my job. 

But the more I looked at it, I became Mr. Down the Middle concerned. A role I often have to play in this sensitive and highly political world we live in. I do my best not to embarass anyone with my work. And believe me when I say that nearly every week I leave a good image in the trash rather than run it because it may cause more harm than good.

I remember high school and the tormenting that can occur. I would imagine that in today’s world it is exponentially worse than my youth.

After I let the devil’s advocate argument of do I use it or not stew in my mind a bit I decided it could serve another purpose. An excuse to write a column.

Because the other thing this image represents, besides the cold slap in the face our recent weather brought us, is the slap in the face reality that the basketball regular season is nearly over and the maddening schedule of March basketball for me is just hours away.

I guess I have been so busy dealing with each day’s assignments as they came I hadn’t realized myself just how close we are to the postseason. 

The basketball post season to me means days filled with crazy long work hours catching meals and rest when I can, culminating in forty plus hours of living in the Barnett Center for three days at the State B Tournament. 

And then — track season will be here before I know it.

Burckhard was unfazed by Even’s errant hand and continued on in the game. I hope I can withstand what the next few weeks slap me with.

Like the teams I will be covering, I hope I have the energy to survive and advance.