“We gave up our whole summer, but I don’t feel bad about that at all. We were a really good team. If we hadn’t been, we would never have gotten here.”

— Jake Pritchard, left fielder, Rowan American Legion team, after finishing second in their World Series on Tuesday in Shelby

“I’ve lost a lot of games, but seeing their sad faces breaks my heart.”

— Steve Yang, coach, Rowan Little League 12U Girls Team, after finishing second in their World Series in Portland, Ore., Wednesday.

“They could’ve been resentful, but they weren’t. They helped everyone get along.”

— Pete Stout, coach, Salisbury/Boyden High football, on the influence of James Bridges and Fred Evans after the push for integration closed their school, J.C. Price

“It’s the most shocking thing I’ve ever had happen to me, and it’s the biggest curve ball I’ve ever had in my life.”

— Scott Young, former West Rowan football coach, on being let go without notice from his new job at Independence High School