While the region has seen unseasonably warm temperatures outside, local boys and girls high school basketball teams are keeping the gyms hot gearing up for their own version of March Madness.

Sure, March Madness may be known more for the men’s and women’s collegiate basketball tournaments, but Lawrence and Scioto Counties have proved over the years that they can play on the biggest stages with their entire community, and county for that matter, behind them.

We have certainly been fortunate to have a near decade-long run of boys and girls teams playing in the Ohio State High School Basketball Final Four. Since 2010, a boys or girls team from either Lawrence County or Scioto County has reached, at least, the state semi-finals.

This time of year, the excitement and agony can swing one way or another with each shot made or turnover lost. But this is precisely what high school sports are all about. It should be about the kids first and foremost, but it’s nice to see the communities rally behind their teams and even other teams as they advance. This is truly a special sight to see when entire sides of gyms or sections of arenas are full of screaming supporters.

Regardless of all the things going on in our lives, community pride is something that we can all share as one.