It is that time of year again, when young people everywhere walk across the stage at high school graduation, and head off into new beginnings. High school athletics is a stage all its own, and as we say goodbye to the school year, we know that the fall will bring back some stars who shined this year, and also welcome a whole new crop of athletes to entertain us on the fields of play.

As I look back on the school year just concluded, there are a few moments that stand out in my mind, above the rest.

I remember a crisp fall night at Granite Bay High School when Roseville’s football team finally got one against the Grizzlies. It took a missed two-point conversion late in the fourth to put it away, but it was one of the most exciting games in recent memory.

I also recall just a few weeks later watching Granite Bay, on the road at Grant High School, give the eventual state-champion Pacers all they could handle in a first-round playoff game.

Ryan Loder, in pain from a severe skin condition that broke out the day before the state wrestling finals, is another athlete that I will remember. In a situation that would have caused most of us to shrink from the competition, Loder gave it all he had and finished a strong fifth in the state.

More recently, the spring sports season was filled with memorable moments, from a second consecutive section title for the baseball team at Valley Christian Academy to amazing come-from-behind playoff wins by the baseball and volleyball teams at Granite Bay during the same week.

Justin Sutter may have finished sixth at the state meet, but it was a pleasure to write about his dominance of the long jump, and it will be fun to occasionally report on his successes at the University of Arizona.

As the seniors head off into their futures, we look ahead to our summer coverage of Little League baseball tournaments, and club team play in basketball, baseball and volleyball. I cannot do that without first thanking this group of graduates for a great year of memories. It has been an honor to tell the stories of the high school season.

I could go on forever, listing athletes whose work ethic and performance has amazed, but I will leave it to each of you to fill in the blanks with your favorite memory of the sports year.

As they say on the commercial, most of these young people will be turning pro in something other than sports, which may be why high school sports brings so much enjoyment. Good luck to all of them.