Big House rocks for Henlopen Conference showdown

Free agent fans - A Cape Big House not fully packed but plenty crowded whooped and hollered Feb. 24 for the Henlopen Conference boys’ basketball championship won by Smyrna 61-51 over Woodbridge. The only schools that hang Henlopen Conference Championship banners in their gym are the ones who haven’t won state championships. I don’t think there’s a single rainman-type fan who could spout off all the Henlopen Conference titles won by their school in any one sport, let alone all 23 sports. But a Friday night North versus South showdown between two 18-2 boys’ basketball teams heading into the state tournament serves as a showdown before the throwdown. Woodbridge fans are “off the hizzy,” it’s Sussex County west side versus the world. The Raiders are coming off a state championship in football. There is an attitude “you can beat us but not defeat us. Check the bracket, we will see you at the Bob.” Woodbridge and Smyrna are scheduled to collide in the quarterfinals of the upcoming DIAA state tournament played at the Bob Carpenter Center.   

Transgender conflicts in sports - Here’s a column topic best avoided if you don’t want political dirt bombs hurled at your head, especially if you wear a size 8 hat like me. Let me say, I know several transgender people who have crossed over the identification midline, and my only hope is for them to be happy, and that they continue to think I’m a cool and tolerant person because that is who I am. The issue surfaces often - when it does surface - in sports, forcing governing bodies to have a policy because there will be some complainers shouting or sneering, “What about my rights?” The most prevalent guideline evolving into the force of rule is “You are who your birth certificate says you are.” Years ago, the issue occurred on the local running scene, a very tolerant and diverse demographic, unless you threaten to take away their third-place age-group trophy. “I was advised by a lawyer to use the gender on the driver’s license,” said Tim Bamforth. “But we don’t require a driver’s license for a race. This isn’t the DMV 5K.” 

Vinnie Diego - A senior Cape wrestler got banged with a “bad call” at the end of his semifinal match against Dante Immediato of Middletown, according to Cape fans, but he fought back to capture third place. A great kid from a great family. His brother Nick wrestled last year. They will be missed on the wrestling scene for sure.

Spring chickens - I wouldn’t know a spring chicken if I tripped over one and broke my face. I understand hope springs eternal in a young man’s heart, but like Reverend Jesse shouted, “Keep hope alive!” Spring sports begin practice Wednesday, March 1, and should be great fun, so get out there and endure some coastal spring weather, which is mostly like riding with your head out the window inside the Arctic Circle. Cape girls’ lacrosse is going for nine straight, but they need a better slogan than “Nine is divine,” which I will never repeat again. Baseball gets my focus with three collegiate-bound Division I arms in Zach Gelof, Austin Elliott and David Erickson, and a bunch of other talent. The baseball tournament should be double elimination, so some freakishly talented No. 1 doesn’t send you home.

Snippets - I don’t eat free food when I’m not happy, I don’t care how hungry I am, and big guys don’t get hungry, we stay hungry. Camera on shoulder at Temple’s Howarth Field, I heard a voice, “Hey, pops!” It was Jacki Coveleski, who along with Erin Ricker, Sarah Young, Jake Dmiterchik and Lachlan Murphy walked from the Art Museum to watch Anna Frederick play. Anna did not know they were coming, and when they shouted her name and she saw them, she smiled and went out and scored four goals against Lafayette. Friends from home are the best. As you move on in life, being recognized at a local Wawa is the best. Have you ever been rejected for membership by an institution to which you didn’t apply? You probably have, you just don’t know about it. Trust this rejected wanderer of the world on this one. Grand Mom Rose: “Life is the penultimate single-elimination tournament.” Go on now, git!