canon powershot s2 IS Action shots questions

Hi everyone,
I was wondering if anyone has used a canon powershot s2 IS. I just bought it a few wks ago and have been playing w/it a lil. Still trying to figure out these settings http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/S2I​S/S2ISA.HTM and how to use them can anyone help me w/this. I'm trying to take action shots of sports and things also I see all these nice action shot that say were taken w/the camera I tried to take indoor @ my nephs basketball games. What settings are right for that I wonder?? I hope I didn't purchase the wrong camera.(after seeing all the nice action shots/other clear photos and nice zoom features it has. I really hope it was a good investment?? If you could help that'd B great thanks
Matt

sorry, no pro's use this camera. All i can say is use the IS, and set it to sports mode.

you most likely did buy the wrong camera, sorry. at best, they are good for soccer moms and the such, but for your avid sports shooter, a p&s just isn't enough

well geeze! where did the original poster say he wants be profesional!? i think he just wants to test things out, not apply to sports illustrated with his shots.

Mattr2 - You can get decent results from your camera - but......

All photography is based on the amount of light reflected off your subject; and how fast it is taken into the camera. Still objects are obviously MUCH easier to shoot as they remain in constant position.
The lens needs to be darned near wide open to get a decent shot in a gym or arena for no other reason than it is generally poorly lit (from the cameras view)
"freezing" action requires extremely short shutter times. The faster the subject - the shorter the exposure.

combining fast shutter and wide open lens is how to start getting better images. Now we have to add the nasty little thing called "shutter lag". ALL P&S (fixed lens) cameras have a degree of this... why? details on request.
Some shutter lag can be offset by pre-focusing your camera. Anticipate where the action is going to take place - pre-focus - let them come into frame - and take the shot.
Or you can frame them prior to the instant and track them like a good skeet shooter with a shotgun. Believe me it is WORK to learn but Oh so great when it all comes together!
I shoot horse events and a horse running flat out is moving at a much faster pace than a human - so I appreciate what you are trying to and CAN do!
Get to practice games and bang of a few hundred shots - it will get better as you throw yourself into it. If you master the technique with the S2 - you'll be awesome with a DSLR.
Examples at :
www.pbase.com/jpfergus​on

This was in cornering the pro's to start out with