PANTEGO — Terra Ceia knew this basketball season would be heavily focused on rebuilding. The Knights put together a 25-2 season — bookended by narrow losses at Wayne Country Day — in 2016.

But gone are the days of Tyler Hendrix, Quentin Van Essendelft and Austin Roscoe. That trio had been the backbone of not just the basketball team, but also Terra Ceia athletics as a whole. The Knights also lost Darius Blackledge, Shaiquan Moore and Messiah Barnes.

And now they’re without coach Roger Klaassen. After much consideration over the summer, he decided it was time to focus on his professional and personal lives.

“Last year was kind of rough on me,” he said. “It was quite a challenge to get everything going and it was a lot more employees to deal with. That had a lot of basis in my decision. Plus, 25 years being married, my wife doesn’t know anything else other than me coaching. … We just felt maybe it was a good time for a break.”

Timing is never easy when it comes to stepping away from coaching duties, but Klaassen did about as well as anyone could. Last season was an end of an era for Terra Ceia basketball. It made the transition more natural. Klaassen also knew he couldn’t get involved with rebuilding without committing for the long haul.

“If I started coaching them, I really would feel committed for a four-year period to them,” Klaassen said.

The most natural part of transitioning out as bench boss was the run that the Knights made last year. Running through the Tar Heel Independent conference was more or less expected.

Hosting a first-round NCISAA state-tournament game was a pinnacle of sorts. Terra Ceia and Wayne Christian battled in an instant classic that saw the Knights emerge victorious, 80-79.

“I felt last year was a culmination of a lot of hard work from myself, and of course Mark Hendrix. We had those boys all the way from rec ball,” Klaassen said. “I guess we kind of felt it was a good time for a break.”

The fond memories are numerous. Klaassen got the best seat to watch some of the most exciting basketball Beaufort County has seen. One aspect of the job sits above all of the plays that took place on the court.

“The opportunity to coach the young men that I’ve been able to,” he said. “I thank Terra Ceia for that opportunity. Just to be a part of their lives and to see the success that we’ve had along the way.

“You see what it means to the kids. That’s what it’s been about for me during my whole life coaching. I started coaching back in 1981. The whole time, it’s been getting kids opportunities to experience things and have some success. Hopefully, along the way, teach life lessons.”

Klaassen also coached the Knights’ baseball team. Former junior-varsity coach Stan Allen has stepped into Klaassen’s role. He’s led the JV program to its own success, which includes winning the conference tournament last season.