RallyNorth.net

After an 0-4 start to the season, the Gloucester High School boys basketball team is hoping to break through with a win before the calendar turns to 2008.

Conventional wisdom would tell you that this weekend is as good of a time as any for the Fishermen to grab that elusive first victory and enter the new year with some momentum as they gear up for the meat and potatoes of the hoops season.

The Manchester Essex boys basketball team can look to one reason why it wasn't able to knock off unbeaten Newburyport last night.

The free throw line.

The Clippers went to the charity stripe 22 times in the fourth quarter and 29 times in the game en route to defeating the Hornets 74-65. Newburyport (4-0) converted 21 of 29 free throw attempts, while Manchester Essex scored just 11 points at the line.

As an eighth-grader last winter, Manchester Essex freshman Joe Mussachia had one thing in mind for the next step in his basketball career.

"He (Mussachia) approached me last year and said 'coach what do I have to do to make varsity next year,'" recalled Manchester Essex head basketball coach Bill Cahill. "Not many eighth-graders approach me and ask that question." Of course there is a simple explanation as to why most eighth-graders don't pose that question to high school varsity coaches. That reason would be most players aren't close to being ready for varsity in their first year of high school.

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."

Playing against a Pope John team that has added three players from the Division 4 state runner-up Savio Prep (which closed last spring), Manchester Essex couldn't match the hot shooting of its hosts, falling 79-63.

Last year's record: 9-11

Coach: Bill Cahill (8th season)

Key returnees: James Settipane, Sr., guard; Marty Nally, Sr., guard; Andrew Willwerth, Sr., forward; Brian Ciccone, So., center; Sam Cohen, Sr., forward; Ian Graham, Sr., forward; Joe Roy, Sr., guard; Kyle Donovan, Jr., guard.