I first came to Selma in August 1998 as sports editor of the Times-Journal. I was hired by then editor Chuck Chandler and then cast into a position that required an individual to cover more than 15 high schools, academies and colleges.

That’s right, one person covering 15 schools, each with multiple teams, coaches, players and fan bases. It was a daunting task to say the least.

Over the past few weeks, our news gathering team has gone through restructuring to put us in position to better serve the Selma, Dallas County and Black Belt area.

But, even with this restructuring, which has put more people covering more events in the area, we cannot do the job we need to without the support and participation of coaches, players, administrators and fans.

In short, we need all of them as part of our team to cover this entire area and the dozens of events that happen each and every day.

Before moving to Selma, earlier in my career, I had a healthy disdain for high school basketball. I found it boring, time-consuming and rarely — if ever — exciting. After my first Selma-Southside basketball game at Selma High School, I was cured. I saw the light and was forever changed. It was that game, and the following games at Francis Marion, R.C. Hatch, Wilcox-Central, Keith, Dallas County, and anywhere else I went, that gave me a true appreciation for the game of basketball, both girls and boys.

That love affair continues today in our new roles here at the Times-Journal, which has allowed me the time and opportunity to cover a few games late in the season.

Saturday, I drove to south Alabama to cover two of our teams compete against one another in a regional championship.

I didn’t have to. I could have called the coaches after the game.

But the season is almost over and the teams are far too good to let someone else enjoy the game on our behalf.

At the game, it was a pleasure to see some of our area’s best athletes, and best ambassadors, show off to the rest of the state the type of young men and women we can produce and the type of athletes we do produce.

Industries in the Black Belt do make wonderful things and products from our region can be found throughout the world, but when it comes to our best product, the product that may shine the brightest, it is high school basketball.