Gloucester Daily Times
---- — Gloucester
Last Year’s Record: 1-19
Head Coach: Bill Cahill (11th season)
Captain: Jason Vizena, Sr., G.
Key Returning Players: Conor Adkins, Jr., F; Jeff Oliveria, Soph., G; Drew Shairs, Jr., F; Austin Davis, Sr., G; Andrew Muniz, Soph., G; Devon Murray, Soph., G; George Black, Sr., F; Jordan Pallazola Jr., F.
Strengths: Speed and depth. With a 10-man rotation, the Fishermen will look to push the tempo on both ends of the floor and wear opponents down.
Concerns: Rebounding.
Coach’s Outlook: “They’re young kids. We’ve got four sophomores that are going to play and only three seniors, so we’re going to have some growing pains, but with Jason (Vizena) leading the way, I think we’ll surprise some people.”
Season Opener: Thursday at Saugus (7:00).
Rockport
Last Year’s Record: 1-17
Head Coach: Tim St. Laurent (6th season)
Captains: Tucker Meredith, Sr., F; Nick Scatterday, Sr., G; Caleb
Tanson, Sr., F.
Key Returning Players: Adam Balzarini, Jr., F; Shaun Aspesi, Jr., G; Conor Kuykendall, Soph.,C; Mick McCarthy, Soph., G; Sam Knowlton, Soph., F.
Strengths: Athleticism. Top-to-bottom, the Vikings have the ability to run the floor.
Concerns: Consistency. St. Laurent worries about his team stringing together a complete-game performance.
Coach’s Outlook: “We have nine really athletic kids that can get up and down the floor, and everyone knows their role. It’s going to be a different style than people are used to. There’s no true star. Whatever five guys are on the floor, they’re all equal and they play that way.”
Season Opener: Friday vs. Georgetown (6:30).
Manchester Essex
Last Year’s Record: 19-3
Head Coach: Bryan Shields (1st season)
Key Returning Players: Max Nesbit, Sr., F; Taylor Ketchum, Sr., F; Liam Aldrich, Sr., G; Petey Morton, Sr. G.
Strengths: Speed and athleticism.
Concerns: Scoring, as the Hornets graduated their top three scorers from last season.
Season Opener: Friday vs. Lynnfield (6:30)
