First time shooting indoor Bball

[maranelloboy05]

I went and shot for about 45 minutes at my high schools game last night. I used my 70-200mm f2.8 and I really couldn't get anything without cranking the ISO to at least 1600, I was a bit disappointed in the lens until I saw that there was a pro there with the same lens but he was using flash. Is the 70-200mm just not enough and is there anything I could do to get my ISO down to around 800?
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3430/3235019545_a56aee1106_o.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3076/3235018043_7b1b0a0741_o.jpg
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http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3354/3235863246_093a2d1cf3_o.jpg

[mattograph]

looks like some super pukey lighting. I doubt you can get to 800. However, I get great results with my 40D at 1600, after I apply a little noiseware.

[maranelloboy05]

I used noise ninja on a couple but they still aren't print worthy, even an 8x10 looks bad.

[Anderson-Photography]

ISO 1600 is a pretty normal day for shooting in high school gyms. If you want to get down to 800 you're going to need some strobes in the gym and fire them with something wireless like Pocket Wizards.

[Chicle]

Yeah like everyone is saying ISO 1600 is pretty normal. I know it sucks, its the same problem I am having. The photos at least at this size don't look too noisy. The white balance is a bit off it seems but they aren't bad.

[TopGear1Ds]

heck, I'm usually at 1600 when shooting at f/2 with my 85mm. It's just a fact of life in highschool gyms. you're lucky to be able to get away with the 70-200 f/2.8 at 1600.