Best of 2016: Basketball

Basketball has got to be one of my favorite sports to photograph. The pace of the players, the open views of athletes faces, and the physicality of the game all help to create wonderful opportunities to capture stunning images. These are some of my favorites from last year.

All images are copyrighted by Icon Sportswire. And questions about using them should be directed here: Icon Sportswire

16 January 2016: Temple Owls guard Josh Brown (1) charges into the lane during the NCAA Men's basketball game between the Cincinnati Bearcats and the Temple Owls played at the Liacouras Center in Philadelphia, PA. (Photo by Gavin Baker/Icon Sportswire)

20 January 2016: Saint Joseph's Hawks forward DeAndre Bembry (43) poses after his dunk on the way down from the basket during the NCAA Men's basketball game between the Penn Quakers and the Saint Joseph's Hawks played at the Palestra in Philadelphia, PA. (Photo by Gavin Baker/Icon Sportswire)

13 February 2016: Villanova Wildcats forward Daniel Ochefu (23) on the way up for his slam dunk during the NCAA basketball game between the St. John's Red Storm and the Villanova Wildcats played at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, PA. (Photo by Gavin Baker/Icon Sportswire)

03 February 2016: The Vilanova mascot warms up the crowd  during the NCAA Baksetball game between the Villanova Wildcats and the Creighton Bluejays played at the Pavilion in Villanova, PA. (Photo by Gavin Baker/Icon Sportswire)

13 February 2016: Villanova Wildcats guard Josh Hart (3) in action charges into the lane during the NCAA basketball game between the St. John's Red Storm and the Villanova Wildcats played at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, PA. (Photo by Gavin Baker/Icon Sportswire)

03 February 2016: Villanova Wildcats guard Ryan Arcidiacono (15) dives after the loose ball during the NCAA Baksetball game between the Villanova Wildcats and the Creighton Bluejays played at the Pavilion in Villanova, PA. (Photo by Gavin Baker/Icon Sportswire)

VILLANOVA, PA - NOVEMBER 23: Villanova Wildcats forward Darryl Reynolds (45) leaps over his defenders ready for the basket during the game between the Charleston Cougars and the Villanova Wildcats on November 23, 2016 at the Pavilion in Villanova PA. (Photo by Gavin Baker/Icon Sportswire)

13 February 2016: St. John's Red Storm forward Ron Mvouika (24) looks to shoot over Villanova Wildcats forward Daniel Ochefu (23) during the NCAA basketball game between the St. John's Red Storm and the Villanova Wildcats played at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, PA. (Photo by Gavin Baker/Icon Sportswire)

PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 06: Villanova Wildcats forward Kris Jenkins (2) fires his jumper during the game between the LaSalle Explorers and the Villanova Wildcats on December 06, 2016 at the Palestra in Philadelphia PA. (Photo by Gavin Baker/Icon Sportswire)

13 February 2016: Villanova Wildcats guard Josh Hart (3) in action charges into the lane during the NCAA basketball game between the St. John's Red Storm and the Villanova Wildcats played at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, PA. (Photo by Gavin Baker/Icon Sportswire)

PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 06: Villanova Wildcats guard Josh Hart (3) fires his shot crowed beneath the basket during the game between the LaSalle Explorers and the Villanova Wildcats on December 06, 2016 at the Palestra in Philadelphia PA. (Photo by Gavin Baker/Icon Sportswire)

PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 06: Villanova Wildcats guard Mikal Bridges (25) is grabbed and fouled by La Salle Explorers guard Pookie Powell (0) during the game between the LaSalle Explorers and the Villanova Wildcats on December 06, 2016 at the Palestra in Philadelphia PA. (Photo by Gavin Baker/Icon Sportswire)

PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 06: Villanova Wildcats guard Josh Hart (3) slides across the floor looking to pass during the game between the LaSalle Explorers and the Villanova Wildcats on December 06, 2016 at the Palestra in Philadelphia PA. (Photo by Gavin Baker/Icon Sportswire)

PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 17: N.J.I.T Highlanders guard Tim Coleman (2) arcs in his shot during the game between the NJIT Highlanders and the Temple Owls on December 17, 2016 at the Liacouras Center in Philadelphia PA. (Photo by Gavin Baker/Icon Sportswire)

VILLANOVA, PA - DECEMBER 21: Villanova Wildcats head coach Jay Wright looks on in frustration during the game between the Villanova Wildcats and the American Eagles on December 21, 2016 at the Pavilion in Villanova PA. (Photo by Gavin Baker/Icon Sportswire)

VILLANOVA, PA - DECEMBER 21: Villanova Wildcats guard Josh Hart (3) runs into his defender on the way to the basket during the game between the Villanova Wildcats and the American Eagles on December 21, 2016 at the Pavilion in Villanova PA. (Photo by Gavin Baker/Icon Sportswire)

VILLANOVA, PA - DECEMBER 28:  DePaul Blue Demons guard Billy Garrett Jr. (5) looks to pass during the game between the Villanova Wildcats and the DePaul Blue Demons on December 28, 2016 at The Pavilion in Villanova PA.(Photo by Gavin Baker/Icon Sportswire)

VILLANOVA, PA - DECEMBER 28:  Villanova Wildcats guard Josh Hart (3) releases his lay up during the game between the Villanova Wildcats and the DePaul Blue Demons on December 28, 2016 at The Pavilion in Villanova PA.(Photo by Gavin Baker/Icon Sportswire)

VILLANOVA, PA - DECEMBER 28:  Villanova Wildcats guard Mikal Bridges (25) charges towards the net in a blur during the game between the Villanova Wildcats and the DePaul Blue Demons on December 28, 2016 at The Pavilion in Villanova PA.(Photo by Gavin Baker/Icon Sportswire)

VILLANOVA, PA - DECEMBER 28:  Villanova Wildcats guard Josh Hart (3) in mid air eyes his shot during the game between the Villanova Wildcats and the DePaul Blue Demons on December 28, 2016 at The Pavilion in Villanova PA.(Photo by Gavin Baker/Icon Sportswire)

Best of 2016: Football

Football photography comes with some interesting challanges. The weather, restricted photo locations, size of the venue, not being able to be at the right place at the right time all the time. So here's a few of my favorites from 2016 when I happened to be right where I needed to be to capture a special moment.

01 September 2016: Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Byron Marshall (39) struggles for a few more yards during the Preseason National Football League game between the New York Jets and the Philadelphia Eagles played at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, PA. (Photo by Gavin Baker/Icon Sportswire)

01 September 2016: Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Byron Marshall (39) charges up the field during the Preseason National Football League game between the New York Jets and the Philadelphia Eagles played at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, PA. (Photo by Gavin Baker/Icon Sportswire)

PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 29: Temple Owls quarterback Phillip Walker (8) drives up the middle on his own during the game between the Cincinnati Bearcats and the Temple Owls on October 29, 2016, at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, PA. (Photo by Gavin Baker/Icon Sportswire)

PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 29: Temple Owls running back Jahad Thomas (5) dives for a few extra yards during the game between the Cincinnati Bearcats and the Temple Owls on October 29, 2016, at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, PA. (Photo by Gavin Baker/Icon Sportswire)

Best of 2016: Baseball

I thought I would share some of my favorites from 2016 seperating them by sport. I'm starting with Baseball. Since I live just outside Philadelphia my home team is the Phillies. They play at the beautiful Citizens Bank Park in South Philly. I don't get to photograph a ton of Baseball since the weather is usually warm around the country and I'm off doing motorsports work, but I do enjoy the change of pace and atmosphere of a good game.

All images are copyrighted by Icon Sportswire and any inquiries about useage shoud be directed here: Icon Sportswire

2 August 2016: San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Madison Bumgarner (40) winds up to pitch during the Major League Baseball game between The San Francisco Giants and the Philadelphia Phillies played at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, PA. (Photo by Gavin Baker/Icon Sportswire)

2 August 2016: San Francisco Giants center fielder Denard Span (2) dives safely back to first during the Major League Baseball game between The San Francisco Giants and the Philadelphia Phillies played at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, PA. (Photo by Gavin Baker/Icon Sportswire)

1 April 2016: Philadelphia Phillies second baseman Cesar Hernandez (16) warms up during the MLB Spring Training game between the Baltimore Orioles and the Philadelphia Phillies played at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, PA. (Photo by Gavin Baker/Icon Sportswire)

1 April 2016: Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Aaron Nola (27) winds up to pitch in the rain during the MLB Spring Training game between the Baltimore Orioles and the Philadelphia Phillies played at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, PA. (Photo by Gavin Baker/Icon Sportswire)

11 April 2016: Philadelphia Phillies center fielder Odubel Herrera (37) dives safely back to first during the MLB game between the Philadelphia Phillies and the San Diego Padres played at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, PA. (Photo by Gavin Baker/Icon Sportswire)

11 April 2016: Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Aaron Nola (27) winds up to pitch during the MLB game between the Philadelphia Phillies and the San Diego Padres played at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, PA. (Photo by Gavin Baker/Icon Sportswire)

15 April 2016: Washington Nationals left fielder Jayson Werth  sprints towards first on his way to picking up another double during the MLB game between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Washington Nationals played at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, PA. (Photo by Gavin Baker/Icon Sportswire)

15 April 2016: Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Freddy Galvis makes the tag at second at throws to first attempting the double play during the MLB game between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Washington Nationals played at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, PA. (Photo by Gavin Baker/Icon Sportswire)

29 April 2016: Teammates wait for Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard (6) to round the basses ending the standoff in the 11th inning between  the MLB game between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Cleveland Indians played at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, PA. (Photo by Gavin Baker/Icon Sportswire)

15 June 2016: Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Tommy Joseph (19) guards his runner during the Major League Baseball game between The Toronto Blue Jays and the Philadelphia Phillies played at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, PA. (Photo by Gavin Baker/Icon Sportswire)

16 August 2016: Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Chase Utley (26) acknowledges the cheers of the crowd for his return to Philadelphia before taking to the plate during the Major League Baseball game between The Los Angeles Dodgers and the Philadelphia Phillies played at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, PA. (Photo by Gavin Baker/Icon Sportswire)

5 July 2016: Philadelphia Phillies center fielder Odubel Herrera (37) signs baseballs for fans before the Major League Baseball game between The Atlanta Braves and the Philadelphia Phillies played at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, PA. (Photo by Gavin Baker/Icon Sportswire)

5 July 2016: A general view of the game during the Major League Baseball game between The Atlanta Braves and the Philadelphia Phillies played at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, PA. (Photo by Gavin Baker/Icon Sportswire)

December 2016 Desktop Calendar

Here it is, your final desktop calendar for 2016. I'm hoping the hollidays find everyone in good spirits and health and among loved ones and cozy surroundings. To download the high res version click here. High Res December 2016

Seeing the champs again

Since Villanova University is close to my heart and is also to my location, I often get to photograph their sports teams. Last year the Wildcats stormed over the competition and captured the trophy for the NCAA Basketball tournament. Last week as I was walking into my first Nova basketball game of this season when I spotted the shimmering glass masterpiece walking to the Pavilion. After the game I was able to take a few pictures.

The National Association of Basketball Coaches trophy on display at Villanova University