https://t.co/8RSOu4VqlI

Dammit, I knew I'd forget some people doing this, so let me shout out @cj_peters and @JP8185 as well, who were two more of my favorites to run into in the field. JP, in particular, deserves every award a preps writer can receive. His passion for coverage is unmatched.

Sports are still something that's supposed to be fun. And, yeah, they absolutely still are, despite so many things trying to ruin that at all levels. I hope we never lose sight of that. -30-

Oh, and @2ndCityHockey isn't going anywhere. In fact, this little change could very well be affording me even more time for that venture, which is well past the two-year mark as an independent outlet and on sturdier ground than ever.

It's been great, but it's time to go. I hope people continue to care about high school sports in the future. Sometimes it feels like it's turning into more of a pre-college training ground than a place to share the sport you love with the people from your community.

I also have to thank all of the coaches I've bothered over the years with random calls and texts and emails at sporadic times of the day when I was desperately trying to finish a story. I was always in awe of how much these coaches poured into their teams and athletes.

Having two newspapers in our area means I was rarely alone in the press box. It was a pleasure to be at countless games alongside people like @astem00 and @DavidPFunk and @Sam_Beishuizen and @HP62315 and a slew of others I'm definitely forgetting or bailed on Twitter.

Pretty much since the beginning, @MichaelOsipoff has been an excellent teammate, even though we so rarely ran into each other out in the field because we were never at the same game.

The best part of this job, of course, has been the people. Editors I've had along the way like Nathan Chambers and @bill_scheibe and @mikeclarkpreps and @SteveTGorches and many more have made me exponentially better.

It's been an absolute blast to write for a paper I grew up reading and being able to tell the stories of so, so many incredible local athletes over the last decade-plus has been a real joy. The kids are absolutely alright.

Departing on my own terms, which is a rarity in this biz! I've been working a full-time job as a real estate appraiser for about a dozen years now and am starting with a new company on Monday, a move that'll mean the end of this role.

Back here for a final thread because it's very much possible that this article below will be the final one that I write for @PostTribSports.

Abigail Parrish nears a Chesterton record. But team success drives her. “We’ve been wanting this for so long.” @DMelt57 has the story for #TribSuburbanSports. @abby_parrish12 @tenley_davis @LBombacino27 @ChestertonVoll1 @CHS__Trojans @ChestertonHS https://t.co/e2mgX3Svtl

After spinal fusion, Andrean freshman Maeve Bouton is back on the field. Most important, she’s “the same Maeve.” @DMelt57 has the story for #TribSuburbanSports. @AndreanGSoccer @andrean59ers @AndreanHigh @AHS59erSoftball https://t.co/MsOyVtwed6

Crown Point star Dikembe Shaw is bound for Chicago. With a Dash of advice, he picks UIC and its “vision.” @DMelt57 has the story for #TribSuburbanSports. @DikembeShaw @CPBulldogHoops @CP_Bulldogs @CPHSSports @CrownPoint_fans @UIC_MBB @IndianaEliteIE https://t.co/tjKbMWhi6p

A fractured vertebra didn’t stop Chesterton’s Adey Avey. What can? “She’s doing things not all kids can do.” @DMelt57 has the story for #TribSuburbanSports. @chestertonGS @CHS__Trojans @ChestertonHS @FCPride08g_ECNL @FCPRIDESOCCER https://t.co/lpDKv57mCm

Northwest Indiana girls soccer preview: @DMelt57’s top 10 teams and 25 players to watch. #TribSuburbanSports @CPHSSports @LCGirls_soccer @AthleticsValpo @chestertonGS @Munster_Sports @AthleticsHobart @rdpathletics @HCHSWildcats @girlssoccer_hhs https://t.co/7jLRJVqOnE

Milwaukee Brewers prospect Griffin Tobias faces a “gigantic learning experience.” But Lake Central alum is a quick study. @DMelt57 has the story for #TribSuburbanSports. @GriffinTobias1 @Brewers @CarolinaMudcats @LCIndiansBball @LCIndians @LC_School_Corp https://t.co/L0WV63IIPv

Crown Point’s Payton Cholewa is raring to go. “She does try so hard all of the time.” Even when she shouldn’t. @DMelt57 has the story for #TribSuburbanSports. @cp_volleyball @CPHSSports @school_crown @CrownPoint_fans https://t.co/6QHY15X0BS

Northwest Indiana girls volleyball preview: Check out @DMelt57’s top 10 teams and 25 players to watch. #TribSuburbanSports @LCIndians @cp_volleyball @ChestertonVoll1 @AthleticsValpo @LPSlicerVB @KVHSAthletics @andrean59ers @HCHSWildcats @Munster_Sports https://t.co/2URO1xukn3

For Milwaukee Brewers prospect Josh Adamczewski, “playing is easy.” Lake Central alum is figuring out the rest. @DMelt57 has the story for #TribSuburbanSports. @jadamz9 @Brewers @CarolinaMudcats @GriffinTobias1 @LCIndiansBball @LCIndians @LC_School_Corp https://t.co/Y1CLGNXHab