THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, JAnUAry 24, 2025 Page 13 Meet the 2024 Saugus High School Sachems Boys’ Junior Varsity and Varsity Teams By Tara Vocino T he Saugus High School Sachems Boys’ Junior Varsity and Varsity Teams introduced themselves last Friday night during their game against the Salem High School Witches. Their Senior Night is Tuesday, Feb. 11 at 6:30 p.m. against the Peabody Veterans Memorial High School Tanners. Saugus girls basketball Head Coach Joe Lowe talked with his team before the Sachems game with Marblehead at the TD Garden in the recent annual Andrew James Lawson Foundation Invitational Tournament. GIRLS BASKETBALL | FROM PAGE 12 Lowe noted that Salem struggled with roster depth, he praised his team’s defensive effort and highlighted the leadership of senior Taylor Deleidi. “Taylor didn’t start, not because she didn’t deserve it or earn it,” Lowe said. “She came in and just worked extremely hard and just cheered for everybody and showed good leadership. For somebody who’s your captain and deserves to start and doesn’t start a game and responds in that way…my goal was to set an example for everybody else.” Lowe has made it clear throughout the season that defense and teamwork are crucial to Saugus’ success. “Anytime that we’ve competed or won games, it’s been when there’s a sense of togetherness, and it’s playing for each other, talking each other up,” he said. Recent struggles, however, have led Lowe to emphasize accountability. Lowe praised the coaching staff for stepping up when needed. He had missed some practices because of an illness. “I was down and out the last two days,” Lowe said. “Norma [Waggett] stepped up and ran two great practices. I was sick as could be, but she picked me up.” The Sachems were scheduled for two significant matchups this week, taking on Beverly on the road and Gloucester later on Friday, Jan. 24. As Saugus looks to build on its strong record, Lowe is focused on improving chemistry and consistency. “We can compete with anybody,” Lowe said. Sachems senior Taylor Deleidi “We beat Milton, who just beat Bridgewater-Raynham (No. 18 in Division 1). Even when we lost to Masco, we had it within a four-point game in the fourth quarter.” Varsity, shown from left to right: Top row: Adam Ballaji, Javi Cruz-Fuentes, Nathan Soroko, Cameron Victor and Christian Dean; back row: Head Coach Joseph Bertrand, Paxton Ferraro, Jordan Rodriguez, Huey Josama, Daniel Zeitz, Ryan Dupuy and Assistant Coach Daniel Bertrand. (Advocate photos by Tara Vocino) Junior Varsity, shown from left to right: Bottom row: River Vargas, Miles Davis, Liam Torres, Jayden Le and Maddox Souza; top row: David Perez III, Head Coach Matthew Waggett, Silas Montas, Armin Hujic, Jayden Perez, Paxton Ferraro and Fernando Avilla Bonilla. Seniors, shown from left to right: Adam Ballaji, Javi Cruz-Fuentes, Cameron Victor and Daniel Zeitz.
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