If you’re reading this column, it’s probably too late. Also, you might want to get a CAT scan.
I’m, of course, talking about New Year’s resolutions. The ones we make. The ones we say we’ll make. And the ones that, considering it’s Jan. 7, we may have given up on by now.
But even though I’ve already accomplished my New Year’s resolution (I made a resolution to floss, and I did it… 12:01… Jan. 1…Bam! Blood all over the sink), and as a result now have plenty of free time to sit in judgement of others, I think this year I’ll stay away from offering my best guess about resolutions from around the sports world.
Sure, I could go on and on about how Seahawks’ QB Russell Wilson’s resolution is probably to start calling his own plays in Super Bowls, or ESPN’s is probably to stop letting Ray Lewis talk during live broadcasts of “Monday Night Countdown,” but instead I think I’d rather take a look into the future of 2016, toward something that might actually happen.
Besides, it’s “The Year of the Monkey” on the Chinese zodiac anyway. And while I have no idea as to what that actually means (hopefully, it’s not indicative of some sort of “Planet of the Apes” type scenario… in which case, Mark Wahlberg, if you’re reading this, please stop making hamburgers with your brothers and come save us), I feel like I’d be doing monkeys everywhere a disservice by even mentioning possible resolutions for that media circus that has become the NFL.
So without further ado, or monkey business, here’s what Sussex County sports fans will have to look forward to in 2016:
• The rest of winter: If you classify submerging yourself in near-freezing water in large groups of people as a sport, then that’s just how 2016 started off with the “Fenwick Freeze” and “Exercise Like the Eskimos” plunge. [Editor’s note:?Breaking News — Point News Editor M. Patricia Titus hereby officially declares herself an athlete!]
For fans of more traditional practices, such as basketball, the year has just recently started back up and hopes remain high for the rest of the season.
It’ll be a tough road ahead for the Indian River High School boys’ and girls’ basketball squads after stumbling in their first few division matchups, but the great thing about Henlopen hoops is getting to play teams twice in the same season. That means an opportunity for redemption and playoff hopes still very much alive for the Tribe.
Over on the wrestling mats, they’re about to get into the thick of their South schedule, as well, but after capping 2015 with strong tournament performances and in the midst of their junior seasons, look for standouts Jared Arlett and Zeke Marcozzi to make some noise at states this February.
The swim team looks well on their way to another South title in 2016 and should make their presence known this February at states, as well — that is, if the pool temperature doesn’t cause anymore delayed meets.
But even if Chris Clark has to zip on his pant legs and the race against Sussex Academy resumes by way of the Fenwick Freeze, keep that one marked on your calendars. Also keep an eye on seniors Mason Sanders and Lauren McCoy, who are both tenths of a second away from breaking school freestyle records.
• Spring: If ESPN lets Ray Lewis make predictions on national television, then surely no one will mind if I make a few in “Tripple Overtime” (I mean, who even reads that thing anyway? Also, don’t call me Shirley). So, in what’s really not such a bold statement, I’ve got the feeling that I might be covering not just one, but two state championship appearances for the Indians this spring.
The obvious one is the girls’ soccer team, which returns three All-State players and leading goal scorers Brooke Beam and Maddie Hogsten after making it to the title game last season for the first time in school history. They also, of course, return head coach Steve Kilby, who, after winning a state championship with the boys this fall, has a chance to make some more school history by making it two rings in the same year.
Then there’s the softball team, where head coach Erika Brittingham may find herself without standout slugger Eliza “The Lizard” Bomhardt but with plenty of talent from the Lower Sussex Junior League state championship squad joining an already talented young group as they vie for a playoff spot and possible title run.
While the Lizard will be missed by the Indians on the diamond, former All-State Laurel pitcher Regan Green will take her talents to the next level and free up the Henlopen South.
• Summer: I’m really hoping that the team from Guam won’t fall victim to another travel scam before getting on the plane to Delaware when the Little League World Series rolls around this August. I’m also really hoping that, this summer, I might be around to cover the story if they do, instead of breaking my collarbone.
As it is every summer, the LLWS in Roxana promises to be the premiere event for sports fans in Sussex County, and really around the world, but this year might be a little bit different, as it just might be the one in which Lower Sussex Little League finally gets a team in there on their home turf.
Also, like every summer, there should be a ton of skimboarding action on display at the Bethany Skim Jam, and after taking second at the South-Side Shoot Out last year, pro skimmer Dave Bracht leads the charge in returning the crown back to Delaware. Oh, yeah — and Kalani Robb will probably be back at some point for the Catch Surf Tour, which always makes me feel like a kid again, even though I’m a grown man (albeit one that only owns one pair of pants).
• Fall: Returning for his second year at the helm, head coach Phil Townsend will have high expectations for the Indians’ football team, with a talented junior class from last year returning for their senior campaigns. They could even see some freshmen make an impact, with the infusion of talent coming from the undefeated Selbyville Middle School squad, to go along with returning All-Conference selections George Martin, Gianni Gottschalk and Zion Howard.
The soccer team will also have high expectations next fall, looking to repeat as state champions and returning eight All-Conference selections, with a few of them going for the third state title of their high school careers.
Well, that’s about it for our look into the future. Like all looks into the future, there’s sure to plenty of unforeseen events that go down along the way, possibly even more teams going for state championships, and surely plenty of more jokes about Chris Clark.
In 2016, the “Year of the Monkey” could really mean just about anything, which again, hopefully, does not include that whole “Planet of the Apes” type scenario coming to fruition.