While other major conference tournaments were being televised to showcase the “star” talent, I was able to cover the Big West tournament at the Honda Center in Anaheim. These are the hardest working individuals, because they don’t take advantage of much. There are very talented individuals in this tournament, which you will see later on in the NBA. Here are a few of the photos I liked during the semifinals with first, the Long Beach State 49ers battling it out with the UC Irvine Anteaters. Long Beach State 49ers guard James Ennis (11) passes the ball defended by UC Irvine Anteaters guard Michael Wilder (23).

Long Beach State 49ers guard James Ennis (11) goes up for a shot defended by UC Irvine Anteaters guard Michael Wilder (23) and UC Irvine Anteaters forward Adam Folker (20).

Long Beach State 49ers forward T.J. Robinson (20) goes up for a layup.

Long Beach State 49ers forward T.J. Robinson (20) goes up for a shot.

Long Beach State 49ers guard Casper Ware (22) drives the ball.

UC Irvine Anteaters guard Michael Wilder (23) is fouled by Long Beach State 49ers forward T.J. Robinson (20).

UC Irvine Anteaters guard Derick Flowers (0) goes up for a layup during a fast break.

UC Irvine Anteaters forward Will Davis II (3) attempts to shoot the ball.

UC Irvine Anteaters guard Derick Flowers (0) and Long Beach State 49ers guard Peter Pappageorge (2) fight for the loose ball .

UC Irvine Anteaters guard Derick Flowers (0) dives for a loose ball.

I also covered the UCSB Gauchos against the Cal Poly Mustangs, UC Santa Barbara Gauchos forward Jaime Serna (0) and Cal Poly Mustangs forward Will Taylor (52) fight for position.

UC Santa Barbara Gauchos forward JaimeSerna (0) goes up for a shot

UC Santa Barbara Gauchos guard Orlando Johnson (33) goes up for a shot.

UC Santa Barbara Gauchos forward Jaime Serna (0) loses the ball defended by Cal Poly Mustangs forward David Hanson (34).

Cal Poly Mustangs center Will Donahue (44) goes up for a shot and is fouled by UC Santa Barbara Gauchos guard Orlando Johnson (33).

Cal Poly Mustangs guard Jamal Johnson (24) goes up for a shot.

Cal Poly Mustangs forward Chris Eversley (33) goes up for a shot defended by UC Santa Barbara Gauchos center Greg Somogyi (55)

Cal Poly Mustangs forward Jordan Lewis (5) attempts to shoot the ball.

Cal Poly Mustangs forward David Hanson (34) goes up for a layup defended by UC Santa Barbara Gauchos center Alan Williams (15).

Cal Poly Mustangs forward David Hanson (34) loses the ball defended by UC Santa Barbara Gauchos center Alan Williams (15) and UC Santa Barbara Gauchos forward Jaime Serna (0).

Cal Poly Mustangs forward David Hanson (34) goes up for a shot defended by UC Santa Barbara Gauchos center Alan Williams (15).

Cal Poly Mustangs guard Jamal Johnson (24) loses the ball defended by UC Santa Barbara Gauchos guard James Nunnally (21).

UC Santa Barbara Gauchos center Alan Williams (15) and Cal Poly Mustangs center Will Donahue (44) go up for the rebound.

UC Santa Barbara Gauchos guard Orlando Johnson (33) draws a foul from Cal Poly Mustangs guard Amaurys Fermin (1).

Cal Poly Mustangs center Will Donahue (44) is called for an intentional foul on UC Santa Barbara Gauchos guard Nate Garth (1).