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We are full on into the playoff portion of the winter season and we’re here with a friendly reminder that in the end these are all games we are enjoying.

This time of year is the all or nothing portion of the schedule, meaning that a win prolongs the season while a loss closes it out, which obviously means each competition is more important than the last. There will be an intensity that maybe wasn’t there in the regular season so please, as fans, remember how we opened.

We want these kids to be successful in whatever they do as well as have fun. There are no pro contacts on the line, no bonuses for success. Just school the next day.

We urge spectators to understand that beneath it all — the school spirit, the drive to win, the hope for something more — these are games and those competing are just kids.

As spectators, we want to see these teams and athletes succeed and have fun doing it, fully understanding that there will be parts of athletics that are no fun at all. That includes the fact that teams and individuals will sometimes lose.

That is the reality of athletic competition and as part of that reality we in the stands are here to support and cheer. Never demean or put down. Far too often, spectators get caught up in the idea that winning is not only the ultimate goal, but the only goal.

Anything less can be seen as failure, but in the end these are just kids doing the best they can. Nobody wants to lose. Nobody wants to fail. Unruly spectators who put undue pressure on these kids does not help.

Getting upset and frustrated will happen, but always keep in mind that the youth can succeed when they know that adults have their best interest in mind. It’s often said, but paradoxically not said enough, that just as much can be gained from a loss as a win.

Through a loss, kids learn resilience and perseverance, but broadly speaking they learn. There are just as many lessons to losing as there are winning and ultimately, that is what school is about.

This same messaging holds true for officials, who oftentimes bear the brunt of a team not doing as well as a fan base thinks they should. By all means, it’s fair to disagree with a call but we can do so respectfully and we have to, especially in a day and age when finding officials is becoming more and more difficult.

At the end of the day, there are likely no professional athletes in the making in our area and only a few that will play college athletics. For a large majority of athletes this is a chance to play a game and to do it with friends.

We remind you that when mistakes happen reaffirm and support. Lift them up and urge them to try again.

Falling will happen. Don’t be the reason that an athlete stays down.