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If I could have last Thursday night back, I would make sure that I was sitting in the stands inside the Smith Field House at Gloucester High School around 8:30 p.m.

Eight days ago, in that aforementioned location, arguably the most emotional and inspirational moment of the Cape Ann winter sports season took place.

The Gloucester boys basketball team was hoping to get the second half of their season off to a positive start last night.

The only problem was a white-hot Salem team was standing in the way. The Witches came into the contest playing their best basketball of the season, riding a four-game winning streak.

It obviously wasn't the case, but it still seemed as though neither Gloucester or Peabody really wanted to win last night's boys basketball game at Gloucester High School. For close to 31 minutes of play, both teams couldn't have thrown the ball in the ocean if they were standing in the sand at Good Harbor Beach. The result was a 44-44 tie with 1:12 left in the contest.

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.

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.

Nobody can knock the effort put forth by the Gloucester High School boys basketball team last night in the season opener against Winthrop.

However, much to the dismay of the Fishermen, hard work doesn't always equal a victory. That lesson was once again reinforced as Gloucester fell to the Vikings, 67-55, at home to start the year 0-1.

Last year's record: 5-13

Coach: Todd Simendinger (4th year)

Key returnees: Brian Levie, Sr., guard; Cam Marston, Sr., forward; Adam Payzont, Sr., forward; Alex Schad, Sr., forward; Josh St. Peter, Sr., forward.