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When it comes to athletics, Rockport High School is fighting an uphill battle.

Rockport's total enrollment for all of its high school students is routinely less than 400 year-in and year-out, a number that is far less than some of the larger schools that play alongside the Vikings boys and girls basketball teams in the Cape Ann League. Thus, talent and depth is difficult to come by on the hardwood for Rockport, which sits in the basement of the CAL standings in both boys and girls hoops.

Senior night is always special for any athlete. Manchester Essex boys basketball star Marty Nally made sure his would be especially unique as he pumped in a career-high 41 points. It was an incredible individual performance that people will remember forever as his Hornets held off visiting Rockport 71-57 in both team's season-finale.

Playing against a quality opponent like Georgetown, the host Rockport boys basketball team knew it had to come out hard to stay in the game. The Vikings (2-14) did that in the first half as they led 26-25 at the break but they lost steam in the second half as the Royals (10-6) showed the skill of a team that clinched a tournament spot last night. Georgetown went home with a 66-46 win.

Everything was lining up perfectly for the Rockport boys basketball team in what has so far been a tough season. After beating Essex Aggie on Wednesday, picking up its first win the process, the Vikings looked like they were in control against visiting Triton last night and were about to embark on their first win-streak.

Rest easy Rockport boys basketball fans, your beloved Vikings will not be going winless this winter.

That much was assured last night as Rockport rolled past visiting Essex Aggie, 82-45, to pick up its first win of the season and improve its record to 1-9. The Vikings got a game-high 21 points from junior forward Mike Akers to lead the way, while senior point guard Cory Emerson added 13 points and three 3-pointers.

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.

According to Manchester Essex boys basketball head coach Bill Cahill, the recipe for Hornets success is simple.

"Marty Nally and James Settipane are both three-year varsity starters," said Cahill after last night's game at rival Rockport. "If they play well, we'll play well."

Last year's record: 1-17

Coach: Tim St. Laurent (1st year)

Key returnees: Dave Campbell, Jr., forward; Corey Emerson, Sr., guard; Mike Akers, Jr., guard; Josh Altman, So., forward; Brad Saville, Jr., center.

In hindsight, last winter's season-ending injury suffered by Rockport basketball player Corey Emerson doesn't seem so bad anymore.

Of course, that was far from Emerson's opinion last December when he learned that he had a fractured vertebrae in his lower back after playing in just his team's season-opening game.