Faces along the fence the best place to find stories
Chain of cools - I am not a paranoid photographer. I always have my head on a swivel looking for shots and stories. The action on the field is the easy part. I saw this young woman along the fence at the Gold squad's scrimmage in Milford and said, "You have to be somebody." I figured her for a local TV anchor who couldn’t find the gate to get on the sidelines. This is Candice Bannister going into her senior year at Sussex Central where she ran track and, in her earlier years, was a cheerleader and soccer player for Patrick Kilby. She was there to support her boyfriend Amontray Clanton. A very nice personality, she spoke easily to my scary self. Candice was a poised and smart young woman. I think WBOC, WMDT or WRDE should give her an audition and make her a summer intern.
Glasgow girlfriends - I am the father of twins, and the craziest question I was ever asked was, “Are they both twins?” I answered "No, just the one on the left. The other is his best friend." Friday night I thought I had spotted twin cheerleaders, so I moved in for the snapshot. "Everyone thinks we’re twins or sisters," said Tanai Scott. ”But we’re just best friends,” said Chanelle Spotswood. I don’t know if was I being played, but I decided no and that twins with different last names only happen after marriage. Tania will be going to Lincoln University in the fall and will major in nursing. Chanelle is on her way to Wesley College and will also major in nursing. If they end up working in the same hospital, the twins confusion will only escalate.
Cody Biddle - A 5-foot-11, 240-pound linebacker out of Smyrna, Cody looked the part, so I got up close for a photo. I’d have Cody on the cover of Skateboarding Linebackers of the Western World; he just had that look of athleticism and free-spiritedness who could wipe out and not be fazed. He will be headed to Wesley in the fall. I posted his photo on Facebook, and Polytech field hockey and lacrosse coach Lynn Richardson commented, “He is an honorary Panther. I’m a fan." That’s good enough for me, and now so am I.
Bobby Baker - I asked the football official at rest at the Gold scrimmage if not being screamed at by fans was good preparation for the real season. And then I asked my new friend Bobby, “Do you guys get paid for this?” and he smiled, indicating it's not a paying gig. Baker lives in Newark, but graduated from Cardinal Dougherty High School in Philly in 1990. Dougherty was once the largest high school by population in the entire country during the baby booming '60s, and now it is just gone. Dougherty was a powerhouse in sports during that era. My friend Bill Jackson went there, and Philly sports comedian Joe Conklin was his paper boy, but don’t get me started.
Snippets - Cape’s former head soccer coach for three seasons, Gary Montalto, has signed on to be a volunteer assistant for newly appointed coach Patrick Kilby. Coach Mont only did so because of his respect for Patrick. I’d call that a ringing endorsement and great news for Cape’s soccer players.
The last weekend in June will see the return of the Beach Blast Girls' Lacrosse Tournament for the third straight year. Remember last year? That Saturday was the largest Lewes traffic jam in recorded history. Beach Blast comes into seaside Cape with less hype than Slam Dunk, but with 110 teams playing on seven fields. Venues are Cape and behind the Lewes School. Makes more money than Slam Dunk with greater economic impact and, by the way, Cape’s coach P.J. Kesmodel is the enabler of the extravaganza, but is not a part of the money tree. Zen Master is 72 with 12 state titles in two states; he’s never been about the money.
The Cape school board will meet June 25 and just maybe will name the head coach of girls' basketball.
Indian River, Smyrna and Sussex Academy will field varsity girls' lacrosse teams next fall, raising the number to eight of 15 schools in the Henlopen Conference. By rule, Cape is required to schedule them. IR is coached by Kara Voss, a former Cape player. Last year, the Indians were 6-0-1 with a JV schedule. Smyrna, coached by Amy Musto, was 6-4-1. Sussex Academy lists no information on Websites4sports - no results, no rosters and no coach. In all fairness, this is looking like a really bad idea, good for no one. Go on now, git!
