More Basketball Pictures Hope I did better?

Once again I am posting some Basketball pictures. I hope I did better this time? Anyway, from the critique I got last time, It seems that my focus was off, and this is probably due to the crop. This seems to be correct as they do seem a little bit sharper and and where I come from, better. Thanks All. You helped a great deal. However, I have also gone to a new camera, yes I upgraded to the 20D, so far it show a whole lot better focus potential and better noise handeling than the 10D did but we will see on Monday.
So here we go once again.

HOSTED PHOTO
please log in to view hosted photos in full size.

One more

HOSTED PHOTO
please log in to view hosted photos in full size.

I can't tell much about the focus with the computer monitor and connection I'm using right now, but the capture of action is very good. I love the expression of the girl in the first one! It may be my monitor, but I'm seeing a yellowish cast to them. Did you use custom white balance?
I miss our girls' team already. The season ended last week.

Liza, Thanks for your coments.
That first one is of my daughter, she yells at me for not getting enough of her at the games. So when I got that one, she was happy.
I did have to crop a little either left or right in photo shop. The focus point was first was on S in Cats on the jersey, the second one the focus point was just under the girls neck at the front of shoulder, but it did not make for a terible picture, well maybe. I did use a custom white balance and they have been a little yellow. Probably the lights in the gym. They have two types of lights there, flourecent and vapor.
I can get anywhere from 400-1200 shutter speed depending where I shoot from in this gym, so my finger is quiet busy when I shoot manual. My white balance is going to be off as a result of any of those variables. It's not a perfect world I geuss.
Thanks for your comments. Hopefully, I'll get some pictures at the next game with the new 20D.

Try this:
Put the camera on "M."
ISO 1600
Shutter- 1/500 if lighting permits
Aperture- f/2.0 or 2.2 (until you get used to the focus) using the 85mm lens. The lens should be set to AF.
Center point focus
Burst mode/AI servo
Shoot in RAW, so you can adjust white balance in post. Raw Shooter Essentials is a free download from www.pixmantec.com and is great for raw conversion of sports shots.

I'll try that Liza, anyway the Raw portion. I find that I use 2.0 on my 85mm and I attempt to get at least 1/400ths on the shutter, of course faster is better. I did use on the 10D the top middle center point on the 10D as that was convenient for vertically held camera. Now I'll have to use the center focus point on the 20D. I do not believe I'll have a lot to complain about so far, This camera seems right on, even in the dark it beats my old 10D focusing speeds are way up. I did take it to a scrimmage this week to test and tease myself for the game, unfortunately, I did not save anything, but I feel I'm going to enjoy the 20D a lot. After basketball, I'll focus on the easy stuff and in bright light, Track and Field, but that starts next month.
One question, I did not try this camera in the AI focus/ prdictive with all focus points, Is it worth it or just use the center as I have been doing it and as you suggest?

I've had better luck with center point focus.

And I'm sure you're going to love your 20D throughout all the sports seasons. Basketball is my first love and I'm going to miss it after our boys' season ends next week. Then I have to wait until March 18th for baseball/softball/trac​k & field. Not sure what I'm going to do until then, though. Maybe I'll focus on putting together my website and my Sports Shooter portfolio.

Well, Thanks Liza and good luck in your endevors. We will defibnately be watching your post.
I was wondered if this shot is any better, now I took out the yellow cast in levels?

HOSTED PHOTO
please log in to view hosted photos in full size.

Thanks. I think it looks better than the original. Keep shooting and posting!

nice shots! what lens did you use for this shots?

thanks
cleng

Thanks,
I used the 85mm since I am not as good with the 70-200mm as of yet. Anyway, as most of the others here including myself feel it's probably the best lens for this venue, so I used this one.
Unfortunately, I wanted to go to the game yesterday but then there was a chance for overtime so I did not go to the game.
As I said, Tracks just arround the corner and I'll be using the long one then and probably with the T-con. Again, Thanks for your comments.
Russ

I have trouble with the 70-200 in basketball games, I like my 85 1.8 better for basketball...but this weekend I used both for the swim meet thet the 70-200 seemed to do better with that venue...is it just me or just luck?

Yes, I saw some of your shots that you posted at the swim meet they were relly nice superdiver!

My kids ended up with 3 more Junior Olympic times from that meet! Whoo Hooo...Now we are off for Los Anchorage in April!

I like the first shot, the second could be better only because the girl in blue is half cut-off, even though the one in orange is the subject, I think it would be a stronger photograph if the girl in blue was either not in the photo at all or was completely in the frame