Page 12 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, JAnUAry 3, 2025 Saugus girls basketball team takes home Snowden Holiday Tournament championship By Dom Nicastro T he Saugus High School girls basketball team is off to an impressive 4-1 start this season, highlighted by a championship victory in the Snowden Holiday Tournament. The Sachems topped Milton, 54-47, in the final to claim the title, showcasing a relentless full-court pressure and balanced contributions from their key players. Tournament MVP Peyton DiBiasio and All-Tournament Team member Ella Castle led the way, but the win was a full-team effort that sets the tone for a promising season. The tournament began with a 54-40 win over New Heights Charter, though Saugus coach Joe Lowe admitted the team struggled to find its rhythm early. “It was our first game in 10 days, and we struggled a little bit with execution and effort,” Lowe said. Despite the challenges, DiBiasio delivered 21 points to help the Sachems secure the victory. In the championship game against a talented Milton team, the Sachems hit their stride. “We just had a great warm-up and punched them in the face early,” said Lowe. “We went up 9-2 and kept that 7-to-11-point lead the whole game. We didn’t take the foot off the gas.” The team’s relentless fullcourt pressure generated 20-25 COVER STORIES | FROM PAGE 9 livan ends a 23-year career at Saugus Public Schools, stepping down from the principal’s job at the Saugus Middle-High School to accept an assistant principal’s position at Greater Lawrence Technical School. Dr. Carla Scuzzarella, a Saugus native who has spent more than three decades in the education profession, is named to replace Sullivan. Scuzzarella has been working as Associate Principal of the High turnovers, creating opportunities on both ends of the floor. DiBiasio led with 20 points but impressed most with her defensive play. “Her scoring wasn’t the best part of her game,” said Lowe. “She navigates the back of our full-court press so well, getting deflections and keeping us organized on both sides of the ball.” Castle added key contributions on both ends, including several big 3-pointers and strong defense. “I ran a set for her to start each quarter, and she delivered,” Lowe said. “She also played amazing defense, finishing with four steals.” Senior Taylor Deleidi hit a crucial 3-pointer in the fourth quarter to halt a Milton run and seal the victory. “I took her out for a bit, and they went on a 7-0 run. I put her back in, and she buried a three to put us back up seven,” said Lowe. “Her ability to stay focused after my mistake was great to see.” Captain Madison Botta’s gritty play on the boards stood out as well. “She had six offensive rebounds and was key in limiting Milton’s second chances,” Lowe said. Lowe credits his team’s early success to a focus on relentless defensive pressure and superior conditioning. “We want to be the most in-shape team,” he said. “The first thing we did [at practice Dec. 30] was run School since July. Commercial development of the 235 acres that make up WIN Waste Innovation’s ash landfill on Route 107 near its trash-to-energy incinerator could produce up to $5.7 million a year in annual tax revenue, according to a report compiled by Selectman Michael Serino. Schools Superintendent Michael Hashem said he is optimistic about the direction in which Saugus Public Schools are headed following the recent release of the latest Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment Sysfor 20 minutes, then we lifted. I don’t think a lot of other teams are doing that.” The Sachems are prioritizing effort over rigid goals like winning the league. “We’re just focused on playing hard,” said Lowe. “Our style is full-court man-to-man, and we don’t have a player over 5-7. We rely on toughness, scrappiness and creating deflections and steals to generate offense.” Lowe also highlighted the benefits of having multi-sport athletes who arrived in shape after successful fall seasons in soccer and volleyball. “We came in ready to go,” he said. The Sachems will dive into Northeastern Conference play with games against Winthrop (Thursday) and Swampscott (Monday). They’ll also face Marblehead at TD Garden on Saturday, Jan. 11, in a league showcase game. “Playing at the Garden is exciting for the girls,” said Lowe. “It’s a great experience, and we’re looking forward to it.” Saugus boys basketball team picks up a pair of wins The Saugus High School boys basketball team defeated Northeast Voke, 72-34, in the consolation game of the Triton Holiday Tournament. Cam Victor of Saugus won the Coaches Award. He had eight points in the consolation game. Ryan tem (MCAS) test results, noting that the town is improving in the area of student growth. OCTOBER Members of a new Apartment Inspection Committee created by this year’s Annual Town Meeting have embarked on research to see how other communities in the region are making safer apartments for the public. Coyotes have attacked at least six dogs over the past three weeks, killing four of them, according to Saugus Canine Control Dupuy led the team with 15 points, followed by Ryan Shea with 13 points and Jordan Rodriguez (12). Saugus fell to Stoneham, 7768, in the first round of the Triton Holiday Classic. Victor had a monster night with 30 points, followed by a solid 20-point night from Huey Josama. Shea added 10 points. Saugus picked up its first win of the season earlier by defeating Minuteman, 81-61. Rodriguez and Shea led the way (20 points each), and Josama added 16 points, while Dupuy (10) and Nathan Soroko (nine) had solid nights. Saugus gave Marblehead a game but ultimately lost, 7672. Josama (18), Shea (17), Rodriguez (13), Dupuy (10) and Victor (nine) all had strong offensive performances. Saugus/Peabody wrestling looking strong Saugus/Peabody swept a recent tri-meet, with a 60-18 win over Watertown, 70-0 victory over Malden Catholic and a 56-15 triumph over Waltham. Eighth-grader Tucker Landry of Saugus (113 pounds) went 3-0 on the day. He was bumped to 120 against Watertown and secured a pin after a tight match up to that point. Anna Felicio of Saugus (106) is having an amazing season so far, coach Wayne Moda Officer Darren McCullough. Two weeks of In-Person Early Voting for the Presidential Election begins at the Saugus Public Library. The Town Meeting-created Ash Landfill Closure Committee seeks a public conversation with WIN Waste Innovations CEO Daniel Mayo about the company’s future closure plans for the ash landfill on Route 107 near the trash-to-energy plant after local company officials have refused to participate in the committee’s meetings. said. Currently 9-3, she recently placed second at the Lowell Holiday Invitational and fourth at Sons of Italy. Captain Max Lorusso of Saugus (144) went 3-0 in the trimeet (two pins, one technical fail) as he chases 100 career wins. His current win total is 97, and he’s hoping to secure 100 wins during the scheduled Dec. 31 quad meet at Saugus. Other wrestlers going 3-0 on the day included: Jackson Deleidi – Peabody (120) Michael Maraio – Peabody (150) Justin Bremberg – Saugus (157) Evan Johnson – Peabody (175) First-time varsity wins included: Chris Brown – Peabody (132) pin vs Malden Catholic Jayden Ceac – Peabody (190) pin vs Malden Catholic Larry Polanco – Peabody (215) pin vs Malden Catholic “The team looked good,” Peabody/Saugus coach Wayne Moda said. “I always worry about vacation week when it comes to maintaining weight and having numbers. It was great that we were able to work some new guys into the lineup and have some of our newer wrestlers get some experience in order to build some depth.” NOVEMBER Out of control motor vehicles have crashed into a dozen Saugus businesses and homes over the past two years. Saugus voters back former President Donald Trump by a 54 percent margin, as the town joined the nation in returning Trump to the White House as the 47th president. Voters also leaned Republican, supporting challenger John Deaton in an unsuccessful bid to unseat incumbent U.S. Senator COVER STORIES | SEE PAGE 16
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