Kelly Wagner prepares to dribble behind her back as she runs up court during Friday's game against Hastings.

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It’s the end of a season.A year.For some, a career.It’s always tough at first to get past that last game. But that day does come. I remember the last time I walked off the court in a West basketball uniform. Just over three months later, I ran my last track meet, falling short of qualifying for the state.Those aren’t the moments I think of when I look back at my career in athletics. The final of Friday’s contest with Hastings won’t be what these girls think about when they look back on this season.There are always highlights. On the basketball court I remember my point guard knocked down seven 3’s to pull off a major upset, and I think of the charge I took in the next game (our last), though most everything between that and the post-game speech is kind of a blur.This season has given the team plenty of highlights to choose from. Much like many other athletes have done, they fill find something positive to think of: a “finest moment.”For some, it could be the game at the Walsh Classic where all 11 players who checked into the game played at least 10 minutes and scored at least 3 points in a 104-30 victory over West Virginia Tech Nov. 21.Others may remember the clutch free throw shooting by Kelly Wagner and Mallory Albers in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. when the Bears came from behind to knock off Cardinal Stritch (Wis.).More moments could be found in the Bears narrow escape at Cedarville when Albers scored 30 points to help SSU overcome the Lady Jackets’ 14 3’s.The Portsmouth community and team alike will remember the Feb. 21 game when SSU secured the first undefeated regular season in school history and cut down the nets after the game.What about tournament highlights?Alison Meyer and Jill Cropper having big games Wednesday could be the highlights. Becky Babione and Shy Johnson each made three 3’s Friday. Babione played 31 minutes, though under the weather, and blocked a shot to force overtime.All highlights.This team went 31-1, went without a loss for more than a year, saw two players enter the 1,000 point club, broke a number of school records and gave our whole community something to be very proud of.The only challenge they may face is narrowing it to one, or just a few highlights to remember and talk about years down the road.There will always be that “what might have been” thought somewhere. But there were so many high points on this ride, anyone involved with this team would find it difficult to focus on the end for long.It was a great ride for us all. It’s one I’ll never forget being able to watch from the baseline, sideline and press row.I’m sure the players will look back and find the positives as well.Thank you for reading. It’s been a pleasure keeping you all up to date with the latest from Sioux City.