Like 55 other teams in Wisconsin, Middleton's girls basketball program ended the season with a win.
After finishing as runner-up a season ago, the Middleton Cardinals were on a mission to win it all this year, but the cancellation of the WIAA Tournament series in basketball ended that dream abruptly.
Coach Jeff Kind struggled to find the words to put it in perspective.
"When you get so close the year before, and bring almost everyone back to make a run..." he said, lamenting the lost opportunity.
Middleton's season officially ended with a win over Big 8 rival Madison Memorial in a sectional final at Monona Grove.
"It was a shame anyone had to lose that game," said Kind.
Memorial won the first meeting between the schools handily, but Middleton won the rematch on January 31, and then took the sectional final to advance to state nearly two weeks ago.
Here's what Jeff Kind had to say on The Prep Report on 1070 The Game earlier in the week:
Photo: Norbert Durst, WisSports.net
HSGB: Middleton rallies to take down Madison Memorial 77-68
By Jimmie Kaska