They were just happy to be here:

Not everyone’s season ended the way they would have liked — except for Cedar Grove-Belgium junior Cael Erickson, who won a wrestling state title — but just being able to play was enough for area athletes and coaches.

“I can’t believe we had it (a season). I’m so happy we had it,” Cedar Grove-Belgium senior point guard Logan Ketterhagen said after a season-ending loss to New Holstein in the opening round of the Division 3 playoffs.

“I have friends from AAU (Amateur Athletic Union) who aren’t playing a season at all, and I feel for them. They lost their season so this is very special to play here. Hats off to everybody making this happen — the administrators, the conference.”

Some basketball teams spent time in quarantine and had to cancel some games, but they all finished the year.

“I guess I’m just grateful for that,” Cedar Grove-Belgium guard Sam Peiffer said.

“We got to play. That’s the first thing,” Grafton High School girls’ basketball coach Matt D’Amato said after a playoff loss at Kettle Moraine Lutheran.

“I’m grateful we got the experience and grateful everybody’s healthy coming out of it.”

“It’s a tough way to end,” Grafton forward Allison Garncarz said, “but it has to end sometime. I am glad that we just had a season.”

Cedar Grove-Belgium girls’ basketball coach Jason Jones agreed that getting to play was the biggest thing, and being able to make it through the entire season was another triumph.

“I think that’s a testament to our kids for staying healthy and making good choices — making sure they’re making good choices for the greater good,” he said.

Erickson missed out on about 30 wrestling matches this season since most tournaments were canceled, but he won the matches that counted most — every one in the postseason — on his way to a Division 3 state title.

He was as happy as anyone to be able to compete.

“It was a weird year but I was glad I was able to do that. That was nice,” Erickson said.