The Ironton Fighting Tigers may have come up just a little bit short in their final basketball game of the season, but the players can certainly hold their heads up high and stand proud after a spectacular season.

The team lost 61-60 in overtime in the state tournament semifinals Thursday, bringing their historic season to an end.

The players and the fans represented themselves admirably and everyone involved should be proud of that effort.

The team’s seven seniors deserve special recognition for providing the leadership needed to reach this level of success. Coaching goes a long ways but even a hall of fame coach will tell you that the players have to develop and provide their own leadership.

Sports, in general, are evaluated in wins and loses. That is OK, but athletic competition is also about so much more.

These young men learned valuable lessons about hard work, dedication, perseverance, sacrifice, teamwork and overcoming adversity. These all transcend the basketball court and will pay dividends in the game of life.

Although the team may have missed its lofty goal in a heartbreaking loss, these students athletes showed they are all winners.