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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.

Back on Dec. 11, in its first game of the season, the Manchester Essex boys basketball team lost at non-conference foe Pope John, 79-63.

As if the revenge factor wasn't enough going into the rematch, the Hornets (6-12) were playing with their head coach on their minds since Bill Cahill couldn't make the game due to a concussion suffered on duty as a Gloucester policeman earlier in the day.

The Manchester Essex boys basketball team found out that things could've been different this year, if the Hornets just could've stayed healthy.

Back at full strength for the first time in six games, Manchester Essex routed Triton, 73-55. The win boosted the Hornets record to just 5-12, but nevertheless head coach Bill Cahill is happy to have his whole team back.

Clay Cleveland had a career night, dropping in 27 points to go along with 18 rebounds and six steals as Masco (8-2) won its eighth straight.

"He was absolutely huge," Masco coach Ben Hodges said of Cleveland. "We like to pound it in with a lot of high-low and even out on the fastbreak he found himself open. He was all over the court. He could really do no wrong. He was a beast, and he only played three quarters."

Just one month ago, Manchester Essex boys basketball coach Bill Cahill believed that his team had the potential to win the division in the Cape Ann League, bettering the likes of North Reading, Georgetown and Lynnfield.

Playing without senior point guard and co-captain James Settipane, the Manchester Essex boys basketball team used a stellar team effort to take care of visiting Pentucket. The key for the Hornets (4-5) was the free throw line as they made 20 free throws in the game as a team.

With a 3-5 record, the Manchester Essex boys basketball team doesn't appear to be setting the world on fire. However, the Hornets have to like their position right now.

"Our schedule has a lot of winnable games in the second half of the season," said Hornets head coach Bill Cahill after Tuesday night's 81-66 loss to Ipswich.

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.

For three quarters, nothing seemed to go right for the Manchester Essex boys basketball team on Saturday at the Gloucester Holiday Tournament championship game.

Gloucester led 34-27 at the half after senior guard Brian Levie (game-high 19 points, four rebounds, three assists, three steals) hit a 3-pointer from beyond the half-court line. The Fishermen (1-5) lead increased to as much as 14 before the Hornets (3-3) offense clicked in in final quarter to take a hard-fought 69-64 win.

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.