RallyNorth.net

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.

When summing up Rockport's 2007-2008 hockey season, one word comes to mind: Snake-bitten.

Coming into last night's game against Pope John, the Vikings had three one-goal losses to go with three ties. And it seems that every time Rockport has a big scoring chance, they catch a tough break and are unable to score.

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.

Pope John led 22-0 at halftime and increased the lead to 29-0 before North Shore (0-5) could get on the board. Chris Wheeler scored on a 1-yard run in the fourth quarter to account for the Bulldogs' points.

CHELSEA | Victory seemed to be slipping away from the Manchester Essex football team.

The Hornets had all but lost a 27-14 halftime lead, by allowing Pope John to get within one point (27-26) with just over one minute to play in the game. All that stood in the way from victory or defeat for the Hornets was a 3-yard two-point conversion try.