Congratulations to the city’s and region’s scholar-athletes and their coaches who already have made February -into-March Madness a basketball season to remember!

Their hours of practice and discipline on the court have translated into victories in state and conference championships that have thrilled basketball fans across Virginia and beyond.

The list of champions is impressive:

• Virginia State University’s Lady Trojans won the CIAA crown Feb. 28 in Charlotte, N.C.

• Richmond’s George Wythe High School Bulldogs and the Henrico High School Warriors clinched the 3A and 5A state championships, respectively.

• The Lady Justices from Richmond’s John Marshall High School won conference and 3A regional titles.

• Virginia Commonwealth University’s exciting Rams took the Atlantic 10 crown.

• And the underdog Hampton University Pirates upset a favorite to win the MEAC Tournament and defeated a higher-seeded foe in first-round competition in the NCAA tournament.

Like most, we will be glued to the TV this week cheering the Rams and the Pirates as they continue in fierce competition in the NCAA tournament.

The games have been exciting and filled with genuine sportsmanship — hallmarks of excellent coaching and lessons that should take each of the athletes far in their lives off the court.

Congratulations! You are true winners!