Wednesday evening marked the end of winter sports. It was a fun season from top to bottom, highlighted by a 2-A state championship brought home by Washington’s boys’ swim team. The Pam Pack wrestlers repeated as 2-A Eastern Plains Conference champions and sent six to battle for state championships in Greensboro this past weekend.

In basketball, the boys had close games with the likes of North Pitt and a still undefeated, championship contender in Farmville Central. The only thing that stood between the girls and a conference championship was a last-second shot by North Pitt.

Northside and Southside had success with both their boys’ and girls’ basketball teams, too. Both boys’ clubs played reigning 1-A state champion East Carteret tight. The Panthers were two possessions from upsetting the Mariners in the regular season while Johnny Sullivan’s buzzer-beater 3-pointer was a few inches shy of knocking East Carteret out of the conference championship.

The Lady Seahawks and Lady Panthers each had their fair share of highlights en route to a postseason berth, too. They had an entertaining clash in the Northside Holiday Tournament that saw Southside scoot by the hosts. Northside got the win back by downing the Lady Seahawks on their senior night.

Neither of Washington’s teams qualified for the state playoffs and none of the four Northside and Southside squads advanced past the first round.

There’s plenty to be proud of, nonetheless. Each team had its highlight of the season that should help lay the groundwork for the future.

Now it’s time to shift focus and support to upcoming spring athletics. Baseball and softball are right around the corner. Scrimmages start this week. Southside hosts Washington on Thursday for some preseason action.

Friday evening features the Bobby Andrews Scholarship Fund softball exhibition. Northside travels to Washington and all funds will benefit Lady Pack and Lady Panthers athletes looking towards college.

Come out and support Beaufort County’s high school athletes and get a taste of what the spring has in store before the weather catches up to the athletics schedule.