I am taking HS basketball pics. I have been using my 18-140 Nikkor lens on my D7000. I have an 80-200 f2.8 but I don't really need it as high school gyms are of a size that allows me to get close enough to use a smaller lens. In fact, I almost never go all the way out to 140.
I would like to shoot at a lower ISO than 4-5K which I have to do with the 18-140. If I go down much I need a flash which while producing OK pictures, the flash is not good for the players if I am sitting on the line. Im thinking that the Sigma 17-70 f2.8 would be perfect or the Tamron 28-75 f2.8 would work well too.
What do you, the experts, think?

They have very reasonable rates for prints, I ordered seven 11x14 glossy prints and it was around $33 including shipping (which is free if you order $50 or more), my shipping was $7.00. I sent the order electronically Tuesday night about 10:30 p.m. and got a shipping conformation email Wednesday (the next day) at about 1:00 p.m. If the prints look good I will certainly order more from them. I think that's cheaper than I could print them myself. I will keep you all posted when I get the prints as to how they look. I sent jpg's but I think next time I may try sending tif's and see if they look any better.
Anybody else have experience with them?

I have experimented with the ISO setting on my camera, but wasn't sure which would work better, but I guess you have to try each setting once you get to a place and see which one works the best. I have tried on the 1600 setting this morning and used the sport setting to see if that would work with my own dogs, it wasn't too bad, dog was in focus, and that is all I want mainly LOL. Just with the responses from everyone I have learned allot. I love taking pictures. The paw picture is from a little fujifilm 3.2mp 6x zoom. When that stopped working I bought the Nikon kit as it was on sale and I needed a camera asap, growing grandchildren also LOL Thank you all for quick responses :)

Hats off to you as a "public school teacher" I hope you are one of the good ones! Not to be in the dog house or even worse to be bear-bait but you know every month where and how much you will earn. Being successfully self employed you really don't know month to month what you will be bringing in. Been there and done that and my hat is off to MT. Shooter for his success too! As a young man I wanted to become a school teacher but a very good friend that was teaching talked me out of it, he was working two jobs to make ends meet and I respected him. However I did wind up teaching and of all things can you believe photography too!