Looking back on 2018 in terms of Randolph-Henry High School athletics, the Statesmen created an array of exciting moments for fans to enjoy, and we thank them for that.

Panning briefly back to the beginning of the year, the varsity boys basketball team stands out in my memory as a highlight of the latter part of the winter season.

Those Statesmen orchestrated one of the team’s best seasons since the late 1990s. They claimed the James River District tournament crown with a decisive 73-55 victory over archrival Goochland High School.

James Graves, Randolph-Henry’s head coach who later retired in July, said this is “only the second time I know of that a tournament championship has been achieved” by the team.

The Statesmen advanced as far as the regional semifinals in the postseason and finished the year with an 18-7 overall record.

In the spring season, Randolph-Henry’s varsity baseball team stood out. The squad was likely under some extra scrutiny this year because it was led by a new head coach, Josh Barmoy, who was coming in on the heels of J.R. Allen, who enjoyed a highly successful run coaching the team.

Barmoy and the Statesmen made the 2018 season another successful chapter in the program’s illustrious history. The team finished the year with an overall record of 17- 5, reaching the regional semifinals for the third straight year.

In the fall season, the varsity golf team added to its incredible legacy with several major events. Yes, the squad’s district win streak came to an end, but the loss to Central Lunenburg High School worked to underscore just how remarkably successful Randolph-Henry’s program has been. Its 198-match win streak spanned 16 years.

On the same day of the loss to Central, the Statesmen did achieve a win against another team competing, giving Kelly Powell his 400th career win as Randolph-Henry’s head coach.

But helping prove the streak ending was not the sign of a decline, the young Statesmen faced Central six times this season, going 4-2, the second loss coming in the district tournament after the district regular season title had been claimed. That district regular season title went to Randolph-Henry for the 19th consecutive year.

The fall season was also punctuated by Randolph-Henry High School initiating its own athletic hall of fame, inducting an inaugural class that included 15 individuals and three state championship teams.

The 2018-19 winter season has not been underway for long, but Randolph-Henry’s varsity wrestling team has already revealed that it has potential to represent the school in a big way, with a roster of talented wrestlers racking up wins under the guidance of Head Coach Zack Mowery.

For all the great memories in 2018, thanks again, Statesmen.

Titus Mohler is the sports editor for The Charlotte Gazette and Farmville Newsmedia, LLC. His email address is Titus.Mohler@ TheCharlotteGazette. com.