Sports

Marquel Knight has officially closed his football career at Indian River High School by opening a new chapter, at Delaware State University. Surrounded by family, coaches and teammates in the IR library Feb. 13, Knight signed a letter of intent to join the DSU Hornets in the fall of 2013.

When the Indian River girls’ basketball team hit the road to Delmar on Jan. 29, they faced serious competition. Not only was Delmar preparing for a grudge match — having lost three weeks earlier at IR, 70-44 — but their star player was aiming to break a 1,000-career-point record.

The Indians weren’t upset because they lost to Delmar on Jan. 29. They were upset because they didn’t feel they really got to play, eventually falling on their own turf, 62-74.

The Indian River boys’ soccer team won second place in the 2012 state tournament — an all-time high for the team — and now head coach Steve Kilby has earned official recognition from his peers, being named Coach of the Year by Delaware High School Boys Soccer Coaches Association.

The Indian River High School boys’ basketball team is all about going faster this year — faster than the other team, faster even than the ball they’re carrying.

In the new year, swim teams have set their sights on state finals, but the flu is slowing their strokes. The Indian River High School girls and boys felt the side-effects when they lost to Cape Henlopen on Jan. 14 and put up only half a team against Stephen Decatur on Jan. 8. Seaford suffered more, barely filling the lanes when IR won against them Jan. 10.

The Indian River High School girls’ team kept their heads up on the basketball court on Jan. 15. They had to: the Polytech Panthers were a head taller than most of the Indians.

This weekend, improving those golf skills could help someone improve their life. Sussex County Habitat for Humanity is hosting the Winter Golf Clinic for men, women and juniors on Saturday, Jan. 12. Several PGA professionals from local golf courses will provide small-group instruction, with focus on full-swing shots, chipping, putting and how to improve at home.

If high-school athletes fantasize about playing in a pro stadium, then Marquel Knight is living the dream. After dominating on the Indian River High School football field, the senior will play at Raymond James Stadium, home to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Todd Smallwood has always pushed himself physically, but now he’s running the distance — 100 miles, to be precise — for a friend. When he learned that Mark Habicht had been diagnosed with the fatal ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or Lou Gehrig’s Disease), Smallwood’s view changed from the finish line to the lifeline.

Just ask the fans: Indian River High School boys’ basketball has rebounded from several tough years on the court. Defeating Delmar on Jan. 8, they improved to a record of 5-3, now boasting more wins in this season than in each of the last three years.

Golfers must have 25 years of experience to be nominated for the Eastern Shore Golf Hall of Fame, so it’s no surprise that two local inductees lead such varied lives. One thing is certain: Sandra “Sandy” Bunting and Arthur “Art” Whaley have a deep connection with the sport on the Eastern Shore.

The Indian River High School boys’ basketball team ended 2012 on a high note: two wins, a 4-3 record and a week of winter vacation.

Indian River High School’s wrestlers got a satisfying start to the season when they topped Delmar, 51-28, on Dec. 19, especially after losing by two points last year. Beating a division team in their first dual meet was a highlight to Teacher Appreciation and Alumni Night.

The Indian River High School girls’ basketball team sauntered into winter break with a fine win over Dover on Dec. 20.