A great goal cage whack will ring my worthy bell

Coach KK is the real deal. The former Kathleen Kochmansky, now Kathleen Fluharty, was a three-time All-American in field hockey and lacrosse at Northwestern University in 1982, ‘83 and ‘84. Last Wednesday KK rang my bell as a heads-up that some of her camp counselors, parents and younger kids were going to scrimmage the members of the U17 National Field Hockey team, visiting for the week.

The friendly game was fierce and fast and everyone got into it. KK can still play, which is no surprise; sometimes her daughter Maxine would slightly smile as Mom flashed her All-American talents.

Lindsay Danz, entering her junior year at four-time Division 2 National Champion Bloomsburg, looked great with her relentless style and just smiled when asked if she would be a starter this coming season. Gabrielle Yore, entering the ninth grade at Good Counsel in Maryland - should be Cape - is a straight-up great player already and will be missed. Super Maxine was her usual relentless self, always pushing the ball and whacking it at the goal cage.

The shark bites twice - The Delaware Shore Field Hockey championship game last Monday night was won by Shark over Tautog 2-0, both goals coming in the penalty stroke phase following a scoreless game.

Caroline Judge and Tiara Duffy scored for the Shark team while Veronica D’Amico pitched a shutout in goal.

Rebekah Yanacek in goal for the Tautog team kept the game scoreless in regulation. Rebekah is entering her sophomore season at Milford and is going to be one great goalie.

Her father John is an accomplished and fit Clydesdale runner on the local racing scene. Strong defensive efforts kept the ball in the mid-field area for the other parts of the game.

Defenders for Tautog that had impressive efforts were Rachel Hagan, Danielle Renken, Hannah Collins, Camyrn Bernheimer, Lauren Pierce and Melanie McCloy.

Providing the defensive heroics for the Shark team were Abbey Hilligoss, Jenna Steele, Kara Voss, Alyssa Mills, Tiara Duffy and Caroline Judge. The remaining roster for Tautog included Tess Bernheimer, Candace Gaull, Marissa McCloy, Ally Melvin and Devin Price.

For Shark the remaining roster included Molly Desmond, Sara Desmond and Katie Smith.

Stealthy like an Indian - I was privileged to sit inside the Dewey Beach Patrol headquarters and listen to Capt. Todd Fritchman address all his guards after the completion of the rookie test.

He told the rookies they were now stealthy like an Indian, and I know what he meant, but at the Powwow I’ve seen some fat Indians for sure.

The guards are now open water certified and first responder certified as recognized by the National Traffic Association and don’t worry, I don’t get it either.

I renewed my open water certification in Red Mill Pond simply by righting a canoe, then eating hotdogs and drinking beer, but that was before gas grills and home computers.

Sports stuff - I’m pretty sure former Delaware State offensive coordinator Herky Billings will not be joining Bill Collick’s staff at Cape Henlopen, and I’m sure Mike Gallagher, currently on the Delaware State staff, will not make the move back to Cape either.

I do know Bill has talked with Charlie Darling, a former Milford coach, about joining his staff. Darling retired after leading the Milford softball team to a state title two years ago.

Yes, he has been tagged as the guy who lost 30 straight football games at Milford, but circumstances are complicated, and I always found Charlie to be smart and solid of character, a hard worker and a great teacher. He would certainly be a great addition to any staff.

Ironically, the sprint turf people seem a little slow out of the blocks getting that second turf field laid down.

Cape’s two new Bermuda grass fields are coming in nicely; just be careful as over-fertilizing brings in flocks of nasty turkey buzzards because that’s what they are all about.

If one ever bit you on the neck you would die of septic shock in mid-scream.

I am hearing from primary sources that running back and linebacker Brandon Lewis has checked out of Sussex Tech and into Sussex Central, the same school where his father William Lewis led the state in scoring in 1988. Brandon is just a junior and will be playing for his third team.

Dad has moved to Georgetown and I’m not a compliance officer, but I’m thinking Brandon’s going to be eligible, but I also know that the flow of athletic talent is moving in all directions and there is unhappiness on the landscape and all rules are imperfect and can be run around. Is sports choice inherently a bad thing?

Don’t Delaware’s private schools dominate the championship scene and benefit the most by sports choice?

Snippets - I am in perfect harmony once again with my professional sports teams.

I hate the Phillies and would start shipping players out of town and love the Eagles because of low expectations they may exceed.

What rung do you occupy on the extension ladder of success? I’ve been to the top but that was in eighth grade.