Once upon a time, I was the sports editor of a newspaper that covered five local high schools, as well as an assortment of area college and professional sports.

But I have to say my favorite part of the job was covering high school sports. For one thing, the kids are out there, hustling and giving it their all, not for a fat paycheck or the next endorsement deal nor, for most, even the hope of ever having one.

But more than that, I loved covering high school sports because whenever you thought you had “seen it all,” the kids would show you something new — something totally unexpected and at the same time extraordinary.