Sports

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.

The Indian River High School boys’ basketball team might have lost, 70-42, to the tall Wilmington Friends School team on Dec. 20, but their classmates were behind them all the way.

The Executive Committee of the Little League International Board of Directors this week approved relocating the Big League Softball World Series tournament to Sussex County.

Last weekend, 27 teams brought everything to the mat at Indian River’s annual wrestling tournament, the Battle at the Beach. With 44 overall points, IR and Milford tied, ranking18th of 27 teams, equaling IR’s percentage rank of 10th place of 15 teams at the Milford Invitational the prior weekend.

Having already faced their first loss of the season, the Indian River High School swim team made a good showing against Sussex Tech on Tuesday, Dec. 18.

Indian River boys’ basketball is back with a vengeance this year. After suffering a 0-17 record last winter, Indian River High School has already enjoyed two victories and two narrow losses. With packed bleachers, IR’s first home game Dec. 18 was so tight that it spilled into overtime, ending in Seaford’s favor, 78-76.

Indian River High School’s girls’ basketball team played fast and hard on Dec. 11, but the skilled Cape Henlopen team pushed early to win, 46-38.