It’s easy to get caught up in the heat of the moment, especially when the stakes are high. Washington’s soccer team faced that throughout its journey to the state championship. The competition got more and more fierce with each playoff win, but the Pam Pack led the way with its sportsmanship.

Their etiquette didn’t go unnoticed. Dixon athletic director Brandon Ball was impressed with the team’s behavior and made a point to email Washington athletic director Jon Blank. He commended the sportsmanship of the entire team, singling out goalkeeper William Tate as a leader in that regard.

It wasn’t just the players on the field that exhibited that level of sportsmanship. When the fans stormed the field after the semifinal win, some could be seen consoling and offering congratulations to the visiting Dixon players.

The Pam Pack acted the same way in their championship showdown at North Carolina State University. They remained good sports, even when facing a deficit in the waning moments of the game. Some of the Salisbury players were given yellow cards for their behavior on the field. Washington may have finished as the runner up, but they led the way in sportsmanship.

One can’t lose sight of this important facet of sports. It’s as important — if not more important — than the result itself. Success is tainted by bad behavior inside and outside of the game.

The Pam Pack represented Beaufort County exceptionally. They established themselves as a championship contender, but there’s a lot more to be proud of than that. Ball said he doesn’t know what the community is doing to create such fine players, but it’s working and Beaufort County should be proud of the kids they’re raising.

Washington may have finished No. 2, but this group of gentlemen proved time and again that they are second to none in the sportsmanship department.