As the spring sports playoffs get under way — some have already started — it ultimately means the end of a prep season is near.

This has indeed been an interesting year, as I've gotten to get to know — or know better — many new players and coaches throughout my first nine months with the The Daily Reflector.

Farmville Central football coach Dixon Sauls made his introduction in asking, "You guys going to cover any football this year?" Upon hanging up the phone, I was in the car en route to FCHS.

It was at that practice when Sauls tried to convince me his team had no quarterback. In the campaign that followed, FC "quarterback" Richard Williams went on to have a season that led to his being named TDR football athlete of the year.

Even picking up a few nicknames along the way, it was Rose wrestling coach Scott Honecker who tabbed me the "Pigskin Prophet" as he often tried to get a read on my prep football picks a day or two early.

The basketball season was all about the South Central girls, as they stormed to an unbeaten mark in the regular season. But it was the Jaguar boys who made the most noise in the playoffs, eventually falling on the Minges floor in the 2-A East final.

And though the playoffs are just getting under way, I believe I already know what I'll remember the most from the baseball/softball season.

It had nothing to do with baseball, but friendship instead. When D.H. Conley infielder Michael Garland's friends came through for him when it really mattered — after a surfing accident — it illustrated what's really important in life: people.

PrepWeek will make its return to your doorstep on Aug. 28.

John Swartz can be reached at jswartz@coxnc.com or (252) 329-9592.