It depends on how much you have to spend.
Any name brand current DSLR is capable of excellent pictures. Some of the more expensive and newer ones will do better at higher ISO settings, and some of them are getting pretty close to amazing.
If your funds are limited, put your money into good quality optics, well that is a good idea anyway. Some of the independent lens makers are excellent as long as you get their top of the line. For instance the Tokina, Tamron, Sigma, 80-200 80-210 f2.8 are good for sports.
Also an 85mm f1.8 is typically extremely sharp and not too high. Also a 50mm f1.4, or f1.8 are often great deals.
Oh I forgot, do not worry about megapixels. They all have plenty. Even my old Pentax 6 mp does fine for nearly everything.