RallyNorth.net

Conference change may do Rockport hoop teams some good

Friday, February, 15 By Matt Langone
Sports editor

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.

There is, however, a simple solution that can save the Rockport basketball teams from the rigors of the ultra-competitive CAL, where the boys haven't won a conference game in the last three years entering last night and the girls have only been victorious in two league contests.

That solution would be: switch to a conference where both teams can compete on a nightly basis.

This idea has nothing to do with the abilities of the Rockport players and coaches, but is instead a method to even the playing field and match a smaller school up with near or equal-sized schools.

There is evidence of just how rewarding a conference change can be taking place already at Rockport High School.

The Vikings hockey team played in the CAL during the 2003-2004 season and went just 3-8-1 in the league. The following year, Rockport played in the CAL/NEC and finished with a record of 0-11-1 in the league.

In response to those struggles on the ice, the Vikings have since moved over to the Commonwealth Conference, playing alongside the likes of Shawsheen and Lynn Tech. The results have been extremely positive, as Rockport finished last winter with a record of 6-6-1 in the conference (8-10-1 overall) and are in the midst of 4-2-3 campaign in the conference this year.

Thanks to the change of scenery for the Rockport hockey team, confidence was high entering this winter.

"I'm very excited about the season," said Rockport hockey coach Mike Greel before the season began. "I think we will be able to challenge for a league title, and at the least make the tournament."

As it has turned out, Rockport won't be winning the league crown and also won't be playing postseason hockey due to a 4-9-3 overall record. But Vikings players and coaches know that they can compete in virtually every game.

The same can be said for the Rockport hoopsters if a conference change is instituted.

The logical destination for the Vikings | both girls and boys | would be to follow in the hockey team's footsteps and try to enter the Commonwealth Conference. In basketball, the Commonwealth is divided into the Small and Large divisions, but Rockport could certainly compete in either.

The Small contains local teams like North Shore Tech and Essex Aggie, while the Large has the likes of Lynn Tech, Shawsheen and Greater Lowell. Each road game within the league would be a reasonable commute.