2001 ONPA Pictures of the Year

First Place, Sports Feature - Ron Kuntz / Reuters

Cleveland Cavaliers ball boy Mike Templin gets caught up in the play while wiping up floor only to have Jacque Vaughn, of the Atlanta Hawks, goes up for two points during a fast break in game with the Cleveland Cavaliers at Gund Arena, November 29, 2001. Looking on is Cavs Bimbo Coles.

Second Place, Sports Feature - Phil Masturzo / Akron Beacon Journal

Tallmadge High School's Israel Victor ponders the team's 8-0 loss to Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin High School in the state baseball championship game in Columbus.

Third Place, Sports Feature - Scott Heckel / The Repository

Game officials cover their head and leave the field at Cleveland Browns Stadium while fans pelted them with plastic bottles and cups after a first-down catch by the Browns was reversed and the ball given to the Jacksonville Jaguars with 48 seconds left. Officials called the game, but later had both teams return to the field for the final plays of Jacksonville's 15-10 win. The victory ended the Browns playoff hopes.

Award of Excellence, Sports Feature - John Kuntz / The Plain Dealer

Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Kris Brown celebrates with holder Josh Miller after Brown kicked a field goal in overtime to defeat the Cleveland Browns 15-12 at Cleveland Browns Stadium November 11, 2001.

Award of Excellence, Sports Feature - James Miller / Marion Star

Elgin assistant coach Mikki Perry consoles Taryn Haas (left) and J.J. Thornberry after a gutty performance against Tucarawas Valley in Dayton. The Trojans held on to win in three games to advance to the Division III championship game.

Award of Excellence, Sports Feature - Luis Sanchez / Philadelphia Inquirer

Players from a Philadelphia high school baseball team celebrate after clinching the regional championship.

Award of Excellence, Sports Feature - Randy Roberts / The Courier

Patrick Henry's Karyn Creeger uses her jersey to wipe away tears, as members of the Sardinia Eastern Brown squad celebrate their win over the Patriots in the Division III state basketball tournament semifinal.

Award of Excellence, Sports Feature - Will Shilling / The Columbus Dispatch

Bubbles float across Bryden Road as contestants in the Columbus Marathon head back into the downtown area after a leg of the race wound through Bexley. Encouragement from fans ranged from enthusiastic cheers and bubbles to live music.