Returning their entire starting lineup paid off for the Indian River boys’ and girls’ varsity tennis teams on Tuesday, and they each collected outright, two-set victories across the board against Lake Forest. Both Indian River teams won 5-0 in their three singles matches and two doubles matches.

The boys’ team, which played at home, was ready for the season on Tuesday. Each team went at least one set without their opponents registering a game, but senior Zach Kmetz denied his opponent a single game score in his 6-0, 6-0 victory.

“We came out strong today,” he said, “but Thursday’s our biggest match.”

The Indians traveled to Seaford on March 26 (after Coastal Point Press deadline) in a match that could shine light on the conference favorite, despite falling in the season’s first week.

“It’s our pivotal match of the year, even though it’s our second game. The Seaford game means a lot. It’s how we define our season. It’s like our Super Bowl,” said Kmetz.

Head coach Patsy Cicala said he was pleased with the victory but also had his sights set on Thursday.

“I don’t want our team to get overconfident with this win,” he said. “Thursday will show us how we’ll do this season. We beat Seaford last year 3-2, then they beat us 4-1.”

As for the season opener, a fixed mindset and aggressive play sealed the victory.

“Everyone seems to be playing well,” said Cicala. “They want a hard practice tomorrow to get ourselves ready, and that’s the ambition we want in these guys. I’d like to avoid the rain, but my guys were out here in the snow in the pre-season. Weather is never a factor with our team.”

Tuesday’s match gave the team the chance to work on varied aspects of their game.

“It was a good day for them to try new things,” said Cicala, “but they know the level they have to come up to.”

Following Thursday’s match at Seaford, the boys’ team will head to Milford on Monday, March 30, host Cape Henlopen on April 1 and face Smyrna on Friday, April 3.

The Lady Indians, much to the pleasure of head coach Karen Oliphant, also started off the season well on the courts.

“My girls definitely came out ready,” said Oliphant. “We out-skilled our opponents, and I think it was mostly due to the fact that we were more experienced. Our team knew where to stand in doubles, and we talked to each other. They weren’t standing around in ‘no-man’s land.’”

The key to the team’s success came through consistent play and patience. Indian River recorded no double faults and continued to send the ball over the net.

“I’ve taught the girls to let the other team make the mistakes. As long as we kept ball in play, we were going to be the ones to score the last point,” Oliphant said.

Senior first-singles player Ramsey Ruether dominated her opponent and was able to practice placement in her match.

“She worked on putting the ball closer to the alleys,” said Oliphant. “It was great for her to get the opportunity to work on these things in a match setting.”

Second-singles player Jocelyn Hazzard gave a solid performance as well in her victory. Brittany Baker made a quick adjustment from doubles in the past to the third-singles position and picked up a 6-0, 6-0 win.

“Brittany’s really risen to the level we need her at,” said Oliphant. “She covered the court nicely and hustled to the ball.”

Many of the girls are utilizing net play in their strategy, something their coach is proud to see.

“Our girls are proving that they’re not afraid to go out there and rush the net,” she said, “and that’s good to see.”

The early win was a nice way to start the season, but Oliphant doesn’t want her team to get too satisfied.

“It was a good ego booster for the girls,” she said, “but I want them to want it. I need our team to come out wanting to win each time.”

The girls’ exhibition team even came out on top, promising talent in the team’s future.

“These girls are going to still be competitive down the road,” said Oliphant. “For some of them, it’s the last sport they’ll play in high school, and it is nice to see them still bringing that drive.”

The Lady Indians will host Brandywine on Saturday, March 28, at 11 a.m. and Milford on Monday, March 30, at 4 p.m. They will travel to Cape on Wednesday, April 1, at 4 p.m. and to Smyrna on Friday, April 3, also at 4 p.m.

The first-round elimination in last year’s state tournament put a quick halt on Indian River’s girls’ soccer team when they fell to Archmere, but the team bounced back this year with an all-too-familiar runaway game to begin the season. The Lady Indians conquered Cape, 6-0, on Tuesday night in a Henlopen Conference opener.

Indian River pulled out to an early lead as senior co-captain Sarah Purdum knocked in a shot in the 16th minute, courtesy of sophomore mid Morgan Warrington. Only a minute later, midfielder Caitlin Forte scored another for Indian River.

Fellow sophomores Michaella Evans and Marisa Atkins each contributed a goal before the half, each assisted by Warrington’s sister Miranda. Morgan Warrington knocked in a goal of her own, early in the second half, and Forte snagged the final goal of the game in the 49th minute.

Purdum, who traditionally operated as part of the Lady Indians’ defense, was well under way in fulfilling her role this year at midfield as she picked up the first score of the year.

“Stepping up from defense is definitely a different feel,” she said. “Then, I saw the field. Now that I’m playing mid, I see a lot more of the ball and can transition from side to side. I like it a lot.”

Despite having only four seniors on the roster, Purdum noted that the team is coming together quickly.

“The team is definitely young,” she said, “but we have speed; more than we ever have in the past. Last year, we lost a lot of our defenders, and the weather gave us a short pre-season. We weren’t sure how we’d reconstruct our defense, but it has turned out well. Alex [Roenke] is doing a great job.”

Forte, who debuted on the team last year as a freshman, reclaims her spot at forward/mid. She had two goals and two assists in Tuesday’s victory.

“It was huge for us to start the season off with a win,” she said. “Coming out and showing everyone a good start is important. We want them to know that we’re coming out for real, and we have a lot of talent coming up. We have a lot of strength across the field. We’re solid back there in goal and with our defensive mids. I know if I make a mistake, they have my back.”

IR head coach Steve Kilby found comfort in the skill he has returning to the team.

“It’s a blessing that when I lost a senior keeper, I had a sophomore step in who showed good composure tonight. In our pre-season matches, she played well, and the team is fortunate to have her.”

His established midfield helped to control the tempo of the game.

“[Evans] has a lot of vision,” he added. “She’s a great ball handler on top of defense, and she works well with the Warringtons, and also found Purdum and Forte when she needed to.”

Junior defender Laurren Parramore showed that she could run with the best of them, despite her short time with the team.

“She’s a hustler,” Kilby said. “She does not have a long soccer pedigree, but her work rate’s incredible. She’s physical and she listens, and she’s done a great job stepping in and helping us out.”

As for the night’s star, Kilby is convinced he has one of Delaware’s finest.

“Caitlin Forte is one of the top players in state as a sophomore,” he said proudly.

After last month’s unexpected snowstorm, Kilby was discouraged about the team’s lack of practice time but was satisfied to see they still came to play.

“The way the pre-season went,” he said, “we lost five days of being outside. We really struggled with aspects of our play days and scrimmages, but tonight it looked OK. This is what we need every week from the girls.”

The Lady Indians will travel to Dover this Friday, March 27, for a 6 p.m. match, then return home to host Polytech on Tuesday, March 31, at 7 p.m.

Indian River head baseball coach Howard Smack wants to take his season a game at a time, and if his squad comes out in every game like they did against Smyrna this past Tuesday, the season should shape up just fine. Even without keynote pitcher Cory Showalter, the Indians overcame the Eagles in the opening game of the season, finishing the game in early innings, 13-0.

The Indians demonstrated composure and consistency as junior Jake Buchler started a rally of runs when a shot to center field brought Luis Barrientos home for the first score of the game early in the third.

IR made a full rotation through their lineup in the third as Justin Arlett knocked in an RBI and freshman starting pitcher Jamie Jarmon and Barrientos each brought in two more apiece. Before the fourth inning was over, senior second baseman Cameron Travalini reached the right field fence for a triple that brought in two more. Outfielders Tyree Oliver and Matt McDowell rallied in runs, while Barrientos and catcher Bo Wilkinson rounded the bases at the expense of Smyrna errors.

Barrientos took to the mound in the top of the fifth and sat down the first three batters with strikeouts to vanquish any chance the Eagles had at a comeback.

“It’s a great way to start the season,” said Smack. “We started the game a little rocky, but as game went along, we came together. The first score by Jake was contagious. That set the pace and got everything going for us.”

Not only was the team able to bring an explosive offense, but the defensive side of the game was equally impressive, as Jarmon – making his high school debut on the mound – refused to let up a run in his four inning of the game, and handing out K’s in his first Indian River inning.

“Jamie’s definitely a gamer,” said Smack. “He brings the intensity we need. He kept his composure, and that was him wanting to be successful. Even with Cory out sick, our guys hung in there and battled.”

Smack described having Barrientos at the helm when they needed him as nothing short of a blessing.

“I’ve been trying to figure out what we’re doing with him, whether we should start with him or use his power to close. I like him when he closes. He brings it and gets the job done. We may switch it around, but having the skill throughout is a nice luxury.”

Even off the mound, the Indians were fielding the ball well. With runners on third and first in the fourth inning and only one out, Smyrna looked to impede on the Indians’ 6-0 lead, but quick thinking denied them a shot at scoring.

“Jake Buchler made a great play,” said Smack. “I didn’t even think he was going there, but he gunned down their runner at home and held them. He did what we needed him to do to keep their runs down.”

With the conclusion of the season-opener, Smack turned the team’s eyes to Thursday’s competition, Cape Henlopen.

“We’re going one game at a time and looking to build on what we accomplish each time. It’s a work in progress, but our guys will be OK because they believe in themselves and in our program. We just need to keep working hard, and good things will come.”

The Indians will face Caesar Rodney next Tuesday, March 31, then play host to St. Marks and Delmar on Thursday, April 2, and Friday, April 3, respectively. All games begin at 4:15 p.m.

For Danny Bokinsky, playing football at the collegiate level was always an aspiration. Earlier this week, it became a reality for the Indian River senior, as he signed his letter of intent with Southern Virginia University.

Coastal Point • Jesse Pryor
Danny Bokinsky (front row, center), pictured with mother Leah, father Bo, IR football coaches Jim Bunting and Paul Kmetz, and brother Timmy, signed his letter of intent earlier this week with Southern Virginia University, where he plans to play football.
“It’s always been my dream to play football in college,” he said. “I feel great to finally be able to do it. I’m very excited.”

The wide receiver and corner back had devoted his youth to football, from the Pop Warner league through middle and high school teams.

“I’ve been playing the game since I was 12,” he said. “From suiting up as a freshman and not playing much my first year to participating in almost every play on both offense and defense, it’s great to see the progress.”

At SVU, Bokinsky will play under first-year head coach DeLane Fitzgerald, who has operated as the team’s offensive coordinator, special teams coordinator and secondary coach since 2006. Southern Virginia University awarded Bonkinsky an athletic scholarship and even anticipates him suiting up for the very first game.

“The coach and team expect a lot out of me,” said Bokinsky, “but seeing everything progress through high school, I think I’m ready. It’s really neat to see it develop. They’re a great group of people, and they’re really enthusiastic.”

After overcoming a leg injury that benched him at the end of the 2008 football season and throughout his senior wrestling season, Indian River head football coach Jim Bunting is assured, he’s itching to get back out there.

“He definitely has an appreciation for the sport,” Bunting said. “I know he can’t wait to play football again.”

“We’re excited for him, obviously,” said Danny’s father, Bo, who has worked very closely with the IR varsity football program. “He’s progressed so far since he was a kid. He’s always been athletic and he loves the game. He’s worked very hard to get here. Danny doesn’t just think about the sport on Friday nights. He thinks about it all the time.”

Bunting, who had watched Bokinsky develop over the years, was pleased to see another IR athlete rise to the top.

“I think what’s exciting about Danny is that he accepted that role as a freshman,” Bunting said. “He understood what we tell our kids about starting out, and he understood the idea of work ethics, which comes from his parents. Danny was out there without griping or complaining, willing to come in the summertime as a ninth grader, catching passes. And it’s all paid off for him.”

Bunting added that Bokinsky possesses patience, which made him a valuable asset to the team over time.

“This is one more kid among 900-some who is going on to play in college,” Bunting said. “That really says a lot for our program and for the school.”

Rebuilding the past few years has been one of Steve Kilby’s biggest responsibilities as head coach of the Lady Indians’ varsity soccer team, but he hasn’t disappointed, netting conference title after conference title. In 2007, seven seniors closed out their high school career, and six more left following last year’s 14-2 season, but over the years, plenty of fresh talent has been working its way up from Selbyville Middle School’s feeder program.

Coastal Point • Jesse Pryor
Indian River’s girls soccer team reviews drills behind the high school. The schedule begins this weekend with a play day at Woodbridge on Saturday and scrimmages next week.

IR midfielder captains Michelle Giorgilli and Marlena Schleifer and goalkeeper Taylor Mushrush were among those who left some large cleats to fill on the Lady Indians’ team. Kilby noted that sophomore Sarah Long will likely be filling in between the posts to start the season.

“We’re looking for her to fill a pretty big role that Taylor left,” he said.

Seniors Courtney Lake, Sarah Purdum and Kaitlyn Binstead will be returning for their final year on the team, while junior Alex Roenke will also present some team seniority.

“These girls have been playing for a while now,” said Kilby. “We expect them to be leaders and orchestrate the team.”

The team is swamped with sophomores, most of whom have proved their capabilities as freshmen on the varsity squad or helping last year’s junior varsity capture an undefeated season. Kaitlin Forte will assist Purdum at the midfield position, hoping to continue where Giorgilli and Schleifer left off. The Warrington sisters, Miranda and Morgan, or “Mi” and “Mo,” will also be working midfield and forward for the Lady Indians.

Michaella Evans, who distinguished herself as one of the strongest up-and-coming defensive backs in the league last year, will also head back out onto the field as a sophomore. Kasey Keith, Marissa Atkins and Emma Cannon will also be heading out to the pitch on the varsity roster this year.

“We have a lot of sophomores who I think will contribute to the list,” said Kilby. “There are some talented girls coming back out for the team, and others who are really stepping it up this year.”

The Lady Indians will get their legs moving this Saturday, March 14, at the Woodbridge Play Day, a pre-season event that had typically been held at the River Soccer Club.

“This weekend,” said Kilby, “we can, hopefully, get a look at our team under some pressure. Once again, we need to rebuild from the back and find a whole new crew for defensive positions.”

Following the play day, the Lady Indians will travel for two scrimmages, first on Friday, March 20, at Ursuline Academy in Wilmington, then on Saturday, March 21, at A.I. DuPont at 9:30 a.m. The regular season will kick off on Tuesday, March 24, as IR hosts Cape Henlopen at 7 p.m. behind the John M. Clayton building

As the warmer weather makes its way over the baseball field, the chilly burden of replacing the talent of last year’s seniors is also clearing up for head coach Howard Smack. With promising athletes hitting the dugout and fresh faces willing to make a difference at the varsity level, the upcoming season is shaping up to be a promising one for the Indians, who finished 17-5 last year, slipping to John Dickinson in the second round of the state tournament.

Coastal Point • Jesse Pryor
Trent Bennett reaches for a low ball at second base during the Indians’ practice earlier this week.
“The main thing we need to do is gel as a team,” said Smack, who enters the year for his sixth consecutive season as head coach. “Our guys need to find their own identity. After losing some of the guys we did, we need to decide what type of team Indian River is going to be.”

Last season’s departure of Trevor Abbott left a vacant spot on the mound, but Smack noted that there’s plenty of skill to follow up. Corey Showalter will return for a third year as an Indian River pitcher, while relief from Luis Barrientos – who also minds third base – could be the closing perfection the team is looking for this year. Second-baseman Cameron Travalini will finish out his fourth year on the varsity lineup, as catcher Bo Wilkinson and outfielders Tyree Oliver and Matt McDowell hit the diamond again for the Indians.

“These are a lot of our key players that are returning,” said Smack. Last year, closer Nick Kmetz and shortstop Sean Lewis proved to be vital assets, on both offense and defense. “We’re going to miss the guys we had,” Smack added, “but I think we have other people who could fit the spots.” This year’s juniors, such as Matt Kleinstuber and Jake Buchler, are expected to play a key role in the team’s rebuilding. Smack also noted that there are several freshman prospects who could eventually work their way into the bullpen.

The spring weather may be burning off the last bit of winter, but the region’s recent snowstorm definitely slowed things down for not only the Indians but all area teams.

“The snow that came down was definitely a hindrance,” said Smack. “It’s putting a damper on our preparation. Our infielders and outfield can’t get the reps they need. It will make a difference, but fortunately, it’s top to bottom, even over into Maryland. Everyone’s in the same boat.”

Though the players may have some ground to make up to ensure they are psychologically prepared, Smack is set on readying the team at the plate.

“They know each other,” he said, “but do they really ‘know’ each other? It’s going to be tough. We have to find our lead-off man. We had one of the best in the state in Sean Lewis. Once he got on base, that was almost always an automatic double. We need someone who can do the same thing.”

The Indians will prepare themselves this week with scrimmages against Stephen Decatur and Easton, with whom they tied in their preseason matches last year.

“They’re good teams,” said Smack. “We always enjoy playing Decatur. They usually give us a very good scrimmage. I’d compare it to playing a Milford or Caesar Rodney team. If we can do well against them, it will give us a good perspective of how we can do this year.”

Two years ago, Easton advanced to the state playoffs.

“I was impressed with what they had last year and the year before,” Smack added.

The regular season will kick off on Tuesday, March 24, as the Indians host Smyrna at 4:15 p.m. They’ll travel to Cape Henlopen on Thursday, March 26.

“We have a lot of tough games to open up with this season,” Smack said. “Pitching is going to be key for about a month.”

The Indians will face teams like Sussex Tech, Caesar Rodney and Delmar before spring break.

“Our conference this year will be slightly tougher than it had been,” he said, “but we’ll go game-by-game. We never want to start looking ahead but just look at who we have each week as far as pitching goes.”

Despite Chris Megee and Mark Sewell departing from varsity baseball to coach the Lady Indians’ softball team this year, Smack is comfortable with the returning help he has. Jodi Sweetman, who has been coaching an American Legion team for years and has served as IR’s statistician, will help out from a coaching standpoint with the varsity team.

“He’s been around for a while,” said Smack. “Jodi has seen these kids play since they were really young, and he has a great rapport with the kids.”

Kevin Cordry is also returning and will split duties with Smack, working with the infield and help with pitchers.

“This year, we’re really going to look for Bo [Wilkinson] and Jake [Buchler] to help with play and signal calling,” Smack said. “They know the players and have that connection.”

As for the team’s gameplan, “We just have to hit the ball,” Smack said. “We play the best to be the best. The Indian River baseball program is where I have been dreaming it should be since I took this job in 2003. We’re ranked in the state and even recognized nationwide. We’re finally getting the appreciation our kids deserve. We’ve guys now in Division I and Division III schools playing ball. Division I coaches are looking at our athletes, and our name is on their tongues. That’s a great feeling.”

IR baseball fans can grab a glance at the varsity baseball team as they host Stephen Decatur on Tuesday, March 17, and Easton on March 19, in preseason scrimmages. Both games will be played at the Indian River varsity baseball field at 4 p.m.

Even though the season looked grim entering its final week and their record wouldn’t grant them a bid to the state tournament, the Indian River boys’ basketball team finished up strong, rounding out February with wins over Laurel and Delmar. The victories brought the Indians to 10-12 on the season and 7-6 in the conference – something first-year coach Marvin Phillips said left him rather pleased.

“As I had said before,” Phillips noted, “it was a new year for all of us. We had fresh faces and I was stepping on for the first time. The guys really came together this year, though, and made it easier for me.”

Phillips walked onto the court of his alma mater this year after establishing successful basketball programs at Seaford Middle and High Schools during the past eight years. The Indians split games against Seaford this year, winning by a four-point margin in mid-December and coming up just short last month.

For the first time this year, Indian River competed in the National High School Coaches Association (NHSCA) Basketball Festival at the Wicomico Youth and Civic Center in Salisbury, Md., granting the team more out-of-conference competition and the opportunity to showcase their talent.

The Indian River team comprised some impressive athletes this year and they will have to fill the shoes of two talented seniors following this year’s graduation.

Senior center Jake Mitchell made his debut on Indian River’s hardwood this year after transferring from Sussex Tech, where he played his first three years. Team captain Tyree Oliver rounded out his fourth and final basketball season with the Indians. Mitchell reached a defined goal this season, scoring more than 1,000 career points and totaling 330 this year alone. Oliver finished the season with 204 points. The two players were the only ones on the roster who played in all 22 games on this year’s schedule.

Juniors Keion Sturgis and Deshawn Godwin each played in 21 games. Sturgis was second on the team in points this season, netting 233, while Godwin contributed 155. Jack Cole and Montre Andrews will also be returning next winter season as seniors. Andrews picked up 198 points this year, while Cole provided 85 of his own. Some young faces came on the court this year, too, as freshmen Patriel Bratton and D’Andre Santiago proved that the youngest guys out there could make a difference.

As for Phillips, he’s looking forward to what the off-season will allow in preparation – something he didn’t have the chance to truly benefit from this past year.

“I didn’t get the opportunity to work closely with the guys this past summer,” he said. “I already have the system in place now, and I’m looking forward to seeing the guys right before the season starts. There may be some things they forget in the next few months, but all I’ll have to do is show them once, and it will start coming back to them.”

Coming in late last season nipped the time he had to spend with the athletes before the schedule began.

“I had stressed the importance of grades to the guys,” Phillips said, “and they realized it. Hopefully, we’ll see some new faces, too, that couldn’t play, due to their grades. I’ll have more chances to talk to them this year. We’ll be looking for another good season. I’ve got a year under my belt now. These boys know me and know how I respond. They know what I like and don’t like.”

There has even been talk that Phillips may be offering his coaching style and knowledge on the sidelines of the football field this fall, too, but that notion is only in the preliminary stages.

As for basketball, Phillips said he is eager to get back to business next season with returning players.

“They’re definitely going to develop over the summer,” he said. “We’re going to look to some of them to take over the leadership roles that our seniors had. Sturgis is a strong, dedicated player. He only missed one practice all year, and he was out there at the end of the season, even after we knew we weren’t in the tournament. That’s the drive we need on the court. Jack [Cole] really stepped it up midway through the season, and I’m looking forward to seeing what he brings next year, too.”