GOLDSBORO — Thursday’s rollercoaster of a game didn’t just mark the end of an incredible season for Terra Ceia. It was also the end of an era. Tyler Hendrix, Quentin Van Essendelft and Austin Roscoe played their final basketball game in a Terra Ceia uniform. Ideally, any athlete would like to go out with a win, but the only thing that can overshadow their resolve and the fight they put up on Thursday is the mark they’ve left on the program over the last four years.

Hendrix has actually been a major component of the varsity squad since he was in the eighth grade in the 2012-13 season. The impact he’d have on the program was apparent almost immediately. His 10.4 points per game trailed only his older brother, Kyle Hendrix, who scored 16.2 points a game.

However, the Knights only won six games that season. Tyler Hendrix scored six points in his first game — a 56-40 loss to Wayne Christian on Nov. 20, 2012. In a way, things came full circle for him when he scored 22 points in an 80-79 win over the Eagles in the first round of the playoffs on Tuesday. It was the only postseason game he and the Knights hosted during his tenure.

Roscoe and Van Essendelft joined the fold in the following season, and the Knights added 10 to their win total in 2013-14. Despite their youth, it was clear what that team’s core would be able to accomplish. Hendrix again ranked second on the team in scoring. Chase Furlough, then a sophomore, led the team with 8.8 rebounds per game. Roscoe trailed him with 8.3 boards. Van Essendelft was impressive with his ball distribution. He had 4.6 assists per game to go along with a team-high 2.5 steals per contest.

Things only went up from there. As sophomores, that trio helped lead the Knights to a 24-5 finish in 2014-15. They beat a 2-A school in Currituck County. Hendrix and Furlough, both forwards, got to test themselves against Edrice “Bam” Adebayo. In his freshman season at Kentucky, Adebayo is heralded as one of the country’s best big men.

Terra Ceia was eliminated by Neuse Christian Academy in the first round of the state-championship playoffs, but the foundation for a stellar season the following year had already been laid.

As juniors, this Terra Ceia trio continued seeking out the best competition it could find. They played a four-game gauntlet against some of the best teams in the state. It started with a 65-64 loss at Northside. They also took on Greenfield (No. 5 NCISAA 1-A), North Raleigh Christian Academy (No. 16 NCISAA 3-A) and Harrells Christian Academy (No. 13 NCISAA 2-A). Those four teams made up four of the team’s six losses in a 25-6 campaign, which ended in another first-round matchup against Neuse.

That 2015-16 squad saw the debut of Messiah Barnes. He fit right in. As yet another scoring threat, Barnes was one of four Knights to average double-digit scoring. He also complimented Van Essendelft by chipping in another 5.1 assists and team-best 3.7 steals each game.

This season saw seniors Darius Blackledge and Shaiquan Moore come aboard. They never missed a beat, nor did the Knights. Moore led the team with 19.8 points a game. Hendrix averaged a double-double (18 points, 10.7 rebounds per game). The six-man rotation, which often featured Blackledge coming off the bench, combined for over 85 points per contest.

Terra Ceia finished its season 25-2. The two losses both came at the hands of Wayne Country Day. The raw talent coupled with the chemistry of these six seniors — especially the trio that had played together for four years — had the Knights finish in among the nation’s best in scoring and assists per game.

Van Essendelft, Roscoe and Hendrix earned 90 wins in their four years playing for Terra Ceia. Of course, they didn’t do it alone. Moore and Blackledge were significant parts of this year’s team, and Barnes had been an offensive catalyst for two years. Along the way, they also had the strong post presence of Furlough and the sharpshooting prowess of Ben Hubers, among other valued teammates.

And, of course, they’ve always had coach Roger Klaassen at the helm. His guidance helped cultivate Terra Ceia’s trademark chemistry.

“If you add up those wins over four years, I don’t think many people can claim that,” Klaassen said. “It’s an awesome accomplishment. I just thanked them for what they’ve done for this team and for Terra Ceia Christian School.”