Vineyard basketball teams split their games Tuesday afternoon, with the boys defeating league opponent Bishop Feehan 68-59 at home thanks in large

As the holidays drew to a close, a different type of season swept in: flu season.

Outbreaks of the virus are being reported earlier than before, according to the Center for Disease Control. Martha’s Vineyard is no exception. Flu season typically peaks in February and early March.

League play begins this week for three teams, with boys’ basketball and boys’ hockey facing two of their toughest opponents of the season in home matchups. Basketball takes on Eastern Athletic Conference rival Bishop Feehan on Tuesday at 4:30 p.m., while hockey plays Coyle and Cassidy Wednesday at 4:30 p.m.

Girls’ Basketball

Ted Box of Vineyard Haven hopes to launch his 70-plus-foot schooner, a scow, in June. The building of the wooden boat in full view on a vacant lot of the Boch property off Beach Road is visually arresting. The boat building project began over a year ago and is picking up pace.

The curly-headed cherub strumming away on a harp is a time-honored icon. Try and consider Valentine’s Day without the sight of Cupid, his bow and arrows at rest for the moment, offering up a musical interlude. But what if Cupid had been allowed to grow up, pack on layers of muscle and play lacrosse and football, grinding out yards on the gridiron in front of cheering spectators. Would he still play the harp? And if so, what would he look like?

He would look like Nathaniel Horwitz, a 16-year-old junior at the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School.

On New Year’s Day there will be a 5K run/walk to benefit the family of Jim Moore who is battling cancer. The run begins at 11 a.m. at Martha’s Vineyard Chowder Company in Oak Bluffs.

The cost is $20 in advance or $25 day of race and $5 for children under 12.

For information, call 508-627-8303.