Congratulations to Coach AnneMarie Gilbert and the Virginia Union University Lady Panthers, the Atlantic region champions who took it to the hoop all the way to the NCAA Division II finals!

Another congratulations to Megan Walker, the Monacan High School senior from Chesterfield County who is the top ranked female basketball player in the nation!

The remarkable achievements of these student athletes bring pride not only to the individuals and their teams, but to the entire Greater Richmond community. Their skill, focus, dedication and teamwork spotlight the excellence engendered and nurtured within our community and the vision and hard work that bodes well for their advancement and success in the years to come.

That’s good news for those who have helped them reach this point — parents, coaches, extended family and supporters.

Too often, athletes snag the headlines for some disturbance or petulant behavior. But not the Lady Panthers or Megan Walker.

We are proud of the way they have conducted themselves, bringing positive attention to themselves, their teams, their coaches, their schools and this community.

It’s a playbook from which we all can learn.

Double congratulations and continued success to all!