An AP photographer captures collision of action and calculation in the NCAA college basketball tournament

WASHINGTON (AP) — Stephanie Scarbrough is a staff photographer with The Associated Press based in Baltimore, covering everything from sports and daily life to breaking news. This is her second year covering the NCAA men’s tournament.

Why this photo?

March Madness is a sporting spectacle that draws in millions of viewers, from loyal alumni and die-hard basketball fans to casual enjoyers hoping to make the perfect bracket.

Upsets, buzzer-beaters and rivalry are among the thrills that make the tournament so popular. But for the student athletes competing, the single-elimination format amplifies both passion and pain. The intensity is evident in the way they give everything they have on the court.

This photo shows a moment where peak action and quiet calculation collide. The leaping legs of St. John’s forward Dillon Mitchell frame Duke guard Caleb Foster as he contemplates his next move, while Duke teammate Dame Sarr shouts in the background.

How I made this photo

I made this photo using a 50-150mm lens at its minimal focal length since I was only a few feet away from the action in my position under the basket. My shutter speed was at 1/2000 of a second, fast enough to freeze motion, which is ideal for photographing sports. While shooting this sequence, I was focused on Foster because he possessed the ball, but when I noticed Mitchell approaching to play defense, I adjusted my framing for an interaction between them. And then Mitchell jumped. Anticipation makes for good photos.

Why this photo works

Photojournalists are always seeking to combine strong composition with storytelling. This photo is interesting to look at because of the leading lines and depth, but what makes it compelling is the tension and uncertainty that define March Madness.

For more extraordinary AP photography, click here.

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St. John’s forward Dillon Mitchell’s first name was misspelled in an earlier version.