Need a short prime for basketball

I'm looking for a prime lens in the range of 30-50 mm to use on a 20D for college basketball photography. maximum aperture should be f2 or wider. I have the cheap Canon 50mm and am not satisfied with the speed and/or accuracy of its autofocus. I don't want to spend more than $300.

Any suggestions?

Try the 50 F/1.4 version, must faster focusing than the 1.8 version

50 1.4 will give you a more accurate focus than the 50 1.8.

On a 20D I'd consider the Tamron 30 f 1.4 if you want something a bit wider. Nice lens. Canon 35mm f2 is another option.

I have both the 35mm f/2.0 and the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 (for the next hour, its going back for a 50mm f/1.4) and i would say the longer local length might be better as you would need to crop less. Thats why im going for the 50mm f/1.4 over the 30mm.
Both lens's are sharp but i would say the sigma is sharper wide open and of course its faster but i find that when my son has his Judo matches and i can get on the sideline the 35mm FL is good but i need just that bit extra to get the detail up in the faces and tend to use my 17-50mm at 50mm. thats one of the reasons im going for the 50mm f/1.4
All IMHO of course.

The 50 f/1.4 is great for basketball up close to the net. If the action steps out a little farther the 85 f/1.8 is better.

Recent 85 mm shot, f/2.8, 1/500, ISO 3200:
http://ronmayhew.smugm​ug.com/gallery/2134718​/2/110563732

Recent 50 mm shot, f/1.8, 1/500, ISO 3200:

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