ROCKPORT - Rest easy Rockport boys basketball fans, your beloved Vikings will not be going winless this winter.

That much was assured last night as Rockport rolled past visiting Essex Aggie, 82-45, to pick up its first win of the season and improve its record to 1-9. The Vikings got a game-high 21 points from junior forward Mike Akers to lead the way, while senior point guard Cory Emerson added 13 points and three 3-pointers.

Newly-found sophomore big man Noah Lauredant also had a big evening. The 6-foot-3 center posted a double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds.

"We had been competing with everyone, but we have been running out of gas late in games," said Rockport head coach Tim St. Laurent in reference to his team's struggles. "The whole team played well in this game. We've been playing good basketball and now we're getting deeper as a team."

Rockport seized control of this game early, going up 17-4 to start the contest and taking a 25-10 lead into the second quarter. Sophomore forward Josh Altman contributed to the quick start, scoring all 11 of his points in the first half.

In the second half, junior forward Chris Fritz picked up where Altman left off. Fritz scored a big chunk of his 15 points as the Rockport lead was extended to 20 (59-39) entering the final frame.

The Vikings will now turn their attention to Friday night's home game against a struggling Triton team, another very winnable contest. If Rockport can come out victorious, it would be the team's first W against a fellow Cape Ann League opponent.