RallyNorth.net

In the season finale of the River Rival action, Newburyport and Amesbury did not disappoint playing an emotional, hard fought yet clean barn-burner at the Nock School in Newburyport.

Playing with poise in the final quarter, the home-side favorite Clippers | headed to state tournament with a 12-7 record after one more game with St. Clement Monday | got the best of the Indians for a 4-point victory, 47-43.

If you are not a fan of a get-on-the-floor, scrappy, up-and-down game than last night's Georgetown-Amesbury clash was not your cup of tea.

With all the loose ball scrambles, tie-ups, and steals, the contest looked more like football than basketball.

Amesbury (3-4) avenged its lopsided loss to Manchester Essex (3-4) in last week's Gloucester Tournament. Billy Medvich led the Indians with 19 points. David Smith added 18. Jay Wheeler had 14. Steve Serwon scored eight.

The Hornets (3-2) used a 20-0 run at the start of the game to cruise to the win in the opening round of the Gloucester Holiday Tournament. Manchester Essex freshman guard Joe Mussachia led the way with 18 points (including 16 in the second half) while senior guards and captains Marty Nally (18 points) and Marty Nally (15 points) were other standouts in the win.

When your team lacks size in basketball, there's only so many ways to scheme and try to compensate. More times than not, height wins out in this game. The Rockport boys basketball experienced another painful chapter in that lesson as they lost to CAL foe Amesbury, 45-42 on Friday.

Newburyport point guard Richie Burke picked the perfect night to turn in one of the best games of his career.

In a typical gritty Amesbury-Newburyport clash, the Clippers slick point guard scored a game-high 17 points to carry his team to a 45-36 victory at Newburyport High.

Stuck in limbo while the Amesbury High School continues its project to build an updated gymnasium, both the Amesbury boys and girls basketball teams will be left without one specific home site for the 2007-08 season.

Coach: Thom Connors

Last season: 3-15

Key players: Jay Wheeler, sr.; Dan Jones, sr.; Bill Medvitz, jr.; Steve Serwon, jr.

Newcomers: Jared Flannigan, jr.; Zach Haggstrom, jr.