And just like that, the school year is over.

It’s hard to believe all that has happened in the sports world the past nine months.

But from high school basketball to Troy University football, it has all been exciting.

I remember my first day on the job, I drove into Troy during a thunderstorm and before I could even move anything into my apartment, I was out covering a volleyball game. Since then, it has been a non-stop year.

During the first couple of months, I got to watch Pike County’s quarterback, Josh Parker, run over opposing defenders one week and Charles Henderson’s K.D. Edenfield throw touchdown passes in the other.

Watching the Patriots of Pike Liberal Arts claim their second-straight state championship was a nice way to cap off the season as well.

While the fall and winter sports all had their impressive and memorable moments this past year, it seemed like once baseball got underway, the fun really began.

For the first time in Pike County’s history, it had two baseball teams ranked No. 1 in each respective poll.

That alone is a pretty impressive feat, with two teams that were well deserving of the honor in CHHS PLAS

While both teams were unable to accomplish their ultimate goal, there was still much for both to be proud of.

And like all great teams, both PLAS and CHHS had great leaders.

Each of the seniors on the teams all had a great year, however, there were two that just seemed to lead the way – Mitch McLeod for the Trojans and Will Starling for the Patriots.

What Steve Rodgers is to the Avengers, McLeod and Starling were to their teams.

Both did everything they could to help their teams win, no matter where they were on the field at the time.

They both did amazing things — I had never seen anyone hit two three-run home runs in an inning until Starling did it earlier this year.

Bottom line, it was blast to watch, let a lone cover.

At the end of the day however, all good things must come to an end.

A lot of great careers came to a close in the last couple of weeks – kids that grew up talking about players are now the players younger kids will be talking about in the coming years.

And that’s the fun thing about sports. There will be always the accomplishments and the awards, but it’s the memories that people hold on to the most.

And that is one thing this year was full of.

Greg Rossino is the sports editor for The Messenger, and he can be reached at greg.rossino@Troymessenger.com or on Twitter at Messenger_greg.