By Rich Palzewic
Sports Editor
There’s nothing I hate more than the end of a sports season.
Not because I like certain sports more than others, but because of the pain and hardship I see on the faces of the athletes, coaches and parents.
Unless you win the last game of the year in the state championship like the Bay Port girls’ basketball team recently did, everyone goes home with a final loss.
Countless times in my sports-writing career, I’ve seen tears and emotions after a hard loss.
There’s not a whole lot you can say to console a player or coach after a devastating defeat.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, witnessing the two Bay Port state titles in the last year was amazing.
I felt like I was right there with them – crying like a big baby.
As happy as I was for the Pirates, I felt a similar sadness for its opponent, Middleton, after the state final basketball game March 9.
Like so many others, I’m sure they will always remember Emma Nagel’s last-second shot to snatch the title away.
A few other moments have stuck out to me during the last month.
Covering the Notre Dame Academy sectional final hockey game against Neenah Feb. 22, the Tritons lost 4-0 with a chance to go to state.
Walking back to the locker room to chat with head coach Cory McCracken, Notre Dame goalie Bo Buckley was being heckled a bit by some Neenah High School fans.
One of them yelled in a very sarcastic tone, “Hey, Bo – nice game!”
The whole group laughed.
I felt terrible for Buckley and knew it was uncalled for.
I was hoping I wouldn’t have to get between him and those fans, but there was no need for that.
Buckley did give them an interesting look, but he kept walking in stride and didn’t give the young fans the satisfaction of a comment – not a word.
I don’t claim to know Buckley at all, but I was proud of him.
Another moment that sticks out was after the Bay Port girls’ basketball game with Arrowhead in the sectional finals March 2.
Raegan McIntyre made a last-second layup to win the game for the Pirates and send them to the state tournament.
Watching the video of the last 12 seconds of the game, I was amazed at the reaction of the fans and coaches.
Bay Port’s side was obviously euphoric, and the opposite was true for Arrowhead.
I brought McIntyre back to the locker room area for a video interview after the game.
On the way, several Arrowhead players said to her, “Nice shot – good luck at state.”
I had a big smile on my face as I commented to McIntyre, “That was really classy.”
The Arrowhead girls still had tears rolling down their faces and red, puffy eyes, but they still managed to show good sportsmanship.
It’s what sports are all about.
One season has ended, and another has begun.
There will surely be highs and lows and the sadness of another season coming to an end in June.
Maybe I’ll get to witness another state championship or two – I can only hope for now.