*Please note: A separate football all-star team will be published next week
FALL SPORTS MALE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
SAMMY BOTHWELL
Manchester Essex Senior
Soccer
Sammy Bothwell had the luxury of playing alongside and learning from former Hornets’ superstar Naderson Curtis. Not too long after, he stepped into those shoes as head coach Robbie Bilsbury’s go-to player.
Curtis, who graduated from Manchester Essex in 2022, set the program’s single season goal scoring record when Bothwell was just a freshman — and three years later, that record now belongs to the latter.
Bothwell erupted for 29 goals this fall (breaking Curtis’ record of 26), dishing out 10 assists to boot in what was one of the most impressive seasons ever at the school. His four goals against Winthrop ultimately gave him the record.
A two-year captain, Bothwell’s scoring prowess and overall ability to ward off double teams and make a significant impact game after game allowed Manchester to climb back atop the Cape Ann League standings with a 14-3-1 record. Bothwell would then score once and assist on another to help his team to a first round win over Joseph Case in the Division 4 playoffs, before adding one more goal in his final high school tilt, a 3-1 loss to Northeast Metro Tech in the Sweet 16.
Among his many honors, the 5-foot-7 speedster took home CAL Baker Division Player of the Year and earned Eastern Mass. all-star status. Bothwell is a stellar student, too, boasting a 4.2 GPA. He hopes to play soccer college and says that his dad, who coached him from a younger age, has been his biggest supporter and athletic influence.
THE ALL-STARS
FINN BIRKELAND
Manchester Essex Senior
Soccer
Starting center back anchored a terrific Hornets defense that had 13 shutouts this season … Team captain boasted 6-foot-1 frame and had a knack for winning 50/50 balls through the air … Scored two goals and dished out a number of assists from the back … First-team CAL all-star and Eastern Mass. all-star selection … Carries a 4.5 GPA and is still weighing his college options … Says his brothers and father are his biggest athletic influences.
FLYNN BLANCHARD
Rockport Sophomore
Soccer
Second year standout played center attacking midfield and stepped right into a starting role … Started all 20 games and finished with a pair of goals and eight assists … High IQ player was named a CAL second-team all-star … Had a goal and two assists against Triton … Hopes to play college soccer … Also a basketball palyer at Rockport … Maintains a 4.0 GPA in the classroom and says his dad is his biggest athletic influence.
ZAKARYA BOUAFI
Rockport Junior
Soccer
Extremely talented goalkeeper finished the season with 200 saves, the most in the Cape Ann League … Averaged 10.5 saves per game … Helped Vikings clinch Division 5 tournament berth for third straight season … Had 21 saves against Essex Tech, earning one of his three shut outs in net … Cape Ann League first-team all-star and Eastern Mass. all-star … Team MVP … Owns a 4.643 GPA and hopes to play D1 or D2 soccer for a coastal college so he can study marine biology and biotechnology … Also an avid surfer and diver … Thanks his father for always holding him to a higher standard and encouraging him to pursue his goals no matter what.
ADAM CONIGLIARI
Gloucester Junior
Golf
Fishermen captain helped team to a 9-4 record and NEC Lynch Division crown … Shot 10-over par to finish in a tie for second overall at NEC Open while helping Gloucester to third place team finish … Gloucester’s No. 1 golfer all year … Named to the NEC All-Conference team … Ranked 34th in his graduating class with a 93 GPA (100 scale) … Hopes to play golf in college … Considers PGA pro Justin Thomas to be his biggest influence for his ability to overcome difficulties.
TREVOR D’ANNOLFO
Gloucester Junior
Golf
Fishermen standout went 11-4-1 in individual matches this fall … Posted a season low round of 2-under par 33 … Named to NEC all-star team … Carded an 81 at Division 2 North sectionals to become only Gloucester to qualify for states this year … Followed that round up with a 12-over par 84 in state championship … Helped Fishermen claim NEC Lynch Division title … Carries a 3.92 GPA and hopes to play college golf or work in the family business … Thanks his dad for teaching him the game of golf.
MATT DEOREO
Manchester Essex Junior
Golf
Talented linksman held a points per match average of 27.25, second best on his team … Finished season with 353 total quota points … Named to the Cape Ann League first-team all-stars … Carded an 83 to earn a tie for seventh overall at Division 3 individual state championship … Was 10th individually at CAL Open with 57 points (18 holes) … Medalist at Cape Ann Classic match with even par round for 36 points … Unsung Hero award recipient … Carries a 4.68 GPA and is undecided for college.
SAM KESTERSON
Rockport Junior
Golf
Gifted golfer held down the No. 1 spot for the Vikings all season … Team captain averaged 28.6 quota points per match, tops on his team … Recorded five birdies and one eagle this fall … Team MVP and CAL first-team all-star … Rockport October Player of the Month …Had a season-best 34 points with his lone eagle against Newburyport … Maintains a 3.4 GPA and plans on playing college golf while majoring in finance … Says legendary golfer Sam Sneed is his biggest influence.
CHARLIE LANGENDORF
Manchester Essex Senior
Soccer
Center defensive and center attacking midfielder helped Hornets secure 13 clean sheets this fall … Chipped in with two goals and was one of the area’s top facilitators with 17 assists … Team captain was named CAL second-team all-star … Had a season-best three assists vs. Winthrop … Played key role in helping Hornets to CAL title … Owner of a 5.40 weighted GPA hopes to study international relations and politics in college, but is still undecided on a school … Says his dad, with whom he’s watched the Premier League soccer with for years, is his biggest athletic influence.
JACK LAWLER
Manchester Essex Senior
Golf
Hornets’ top player finished first overall in total individual points (387) and points per match (29.07) for his team … Named Team MVP and a first-team Cape Ann League all-star … Fired a season-best 1-under par, good for 38 points, against Essex Tech … Finished fifth overall at CAL Open with 62 points (18 holes) … Carded an 88 at Division 3 North Sectionals … Owns a 3.7 GPA and is still weighing his college options … Considers his grandfather, who got him into golf, for teaching him the game and helping him get to the level he is today.
STEFANO NUMEROSI
Gloucester Senior
Soccer
Tremendously talented goalkeeper secured three shutouts this fall and had a number of impressive saves throughout the season … Served as the Fishermen’s lone captain this year … Vocal leader from between the posts … Utilized his tall, athletic frame to stop shots many other keepers wouldn’t be able to … Named to the Northeastern Conference all-star team.
WESDRA SILVA
Gloucester Senior
Soccer
Fishermen’s go-to offensive option shined on the attack at striker in his farewell high school campaign … Netted 14 goals and dished out 10 assists, both tops on his team and a top 10 points mark in the North Shore and Cape Ann area … Named to the NEC All-Conference team … Exploded for a season-best four goals and two assists in a win over Saugus.
DYLAN SMITH
Gloucester Senior
Soccer
Versatile team captain lined up wherever his team needed him and served as reliable workhorse, playing every position but goalie … Named a Northeastern Conference all-star … Had a terrific game at center back against powerhouse Masconomet, helping his team hold the Chieftains to zero goals … Terrific leader for overall young roster … Maintains a 90 GPA (on 100 scale) in the classroom and plans to study business in college … Says he watched a lot of pro soccer growing up and it inspired him to be the player he is today.
BEN SPERRY
Rockport Junior
Golf
Vikings captain served as team’s No. 2 golfer all season in the top pairing with Sam Kesterson … Averaged 21.7 points per match, carding rounds at an average of 7.8 strokes over par … Cape Ann League all-star selection …Had a season-best 27 points at 5-over par … Also plays hockey and baseball and hopes to play D3 baseball in college … Considers his cousins, who were outstanding high school athletes, to be his biggest influences.
HENRY STEVENS
Manchester Essex Senior
Hornets’ captain was the team’s top runner for all dual meets this season … Cape Ann League all-star selection was 12th overall at the CAL meet … Finished 18th overall at the 2024 Bay State Open Invitational … Named Hornets’ Cross Country Athlete of the Year … Cape Ann Savings Bank Athlete of the Week … Holds season-best of 17:33.4 in a 5K race … Says American long distance runner Steve Prefontaine is someone he looks up to … Maintains 5.32 GPA and hopes to study political science and public policy in college.
BRAYDON WALL
Rockport Senior
Soccer
Relentless workhorse at midfield and forward served as reliable team captain this fall … Played forward for eight games, CDM for 11, and finished with nine goals and four assists … Played all 80 minutes in 1-1 tie against Newburyport … Has come back from multiple injuries, including a season-ending ACL tear as a freshman, and a season-ending patella and ACL injury as a junior … “His leadership and persistence proved an example to teammates and all athletes overcoming adversity,” said coach Lou Savlen … Carries a 3.4 GPA and plans to attend either East Carolina University or Bridgewater State with a pre-med major … Says professional soccer star Neymar Jr., who has also battled through numerous severe injuries, is his biggest influence.
GRAY WEST
Manchester Essex Junior
Golf
Hornets’ captain registered 343 total points this season … Earned Golfer of the Year honors for his team as well as the captains award … Played his best golf down the stretch and into postseason, carding a 3-over par 75 at Division 3 North Sectionals to finish in a two-way tie for first overall … Plays in such events as the Challenge Cup, AJGA, US Kids Golf and the Hurricane Tour … Also plays lacrosse … Owns a 4.76 GPA and is a member of the National Honors Society … Plans to play college golf at D3 or D1 level.
HONORABLE MENTION
Gloucester: Cade Cooper, Sr. (soccer); Kellen Moran, Sr. (soccer); Will Linn, Soph. (golf).
Manchester Essex: Lyall Cunningham, Jr. (cross country); Imir Mustafa, Soph. (soccer); Hayden Spencer, Sr. (soccer); Jake Zschau, Jr. (golf).
Rockport: Jerry Adams, Soph. (soccer); Matt Silver, Soph. (soccer); Quint Savlen, Sr. (soccer).