A hearty congratulations to the John Marshall High School and Varina High School boys’ basketball state championship teams!

These two teams from Richmond and Henrico County have demonstrated the heart, skills, teamwork and season-long effort needed to become champions. Their victories are noticed and celebrated not only by their peers at their schools, but by the Free Press and the community.

We also celebrate the tremendous effort by the Virginia Union University Panthers and Lady Panthers and the Virginia State University Trojans men’s and women’s teams. We salute the players and their coaches for another great season that turned into CIAA titles for the VUU Lady Panthers and the VUU men, as well as berths for all four teams in the NCAA Division II regional playoffs.

Joyfully, March Madness continues with the University of Virginia Cavaliers ranked the No. 1 basketball team in the nation as the NCAA Division I Tournament gets underway this week. We will be rooting for the Hoos.

All of these teams — high school and college — have represented our city, metro area and state with distinction. And we salute the players as they continue their educational pursuits and career dreams. We hope their efforts off the court lead to rewards even greater than a beautiful championship trophy!