THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2021 Page 13 Three SHS Girls’ Varsity Basketball Sachems recognized during Senior Night The SHS Lady Sachems Girls’ Basketball team: kneeling: Captains/Forward Cat Schena #24, Forward Nicole Stewart #44, Guard Haley McLaughlin #10; back row: Assistant Coach Christopher Brablc, Guards Cassie Israelson #33, Samantha Shea #14, Ryann Maloney #15, April Aldred #2, Ashleigh Moore #4, Jessica Bremberg #23, Devany Millerick #5, Ana Silva #22, Fallon Millerick #1, Ashleen Escobar #11 and Head Coach Mark Schruender. By Tara Vocino T hree Girls’ Varsity Basketball seniors were honored during last Friday night’s Senior Night at the Saugus Middle High School gymnasium. Parents were presented flowers by seniors Capt. Cat Schena, Haley McLaughlin and Nicole Stewart on center court. In a separate interview, Head Coach Mark Schruender congratulated this senior class, particularly, for dealing with more adversity than any other class in his memory. “The girls basketball program has a Pyramid of Success, which illustrates 15 values that we try as a team to fulfill with the goal of getting the experience to transcend basketball,” Schruender said. “One of the values is toughness.” He described how each of these three players have each exhibited toughness in their own way this year by being grateful for what the season has given us instead of lamenting what it has not. “Nicole is injured and still helping us out by filming games and offering feedback,” Schruender said. “Haley’s sense of optimism has been instrumental when our team struggles and has setbacks. And Cat’s growth mindset to listen to feedback and apply it in games has rubbed off on younger players.” On Monday, seniors shared what challenges they faced. Stewart said sitting on the bench and not being able to WITH ROSES IN HAND, PROUD PARENTS: mom Julie, Forward Nicole Stewart #44 and father Richard. Stewart intends to major in physical therapy to, hopefully, become a physical therapist at Franklin Pierce University in Rindge, N.H. WITH CONGRATULATORY FLOWERS: father Charles McLaughlin, Guard Haley McLaughlin #10 and mother Maureen. McLaughlin was admitted to Coastal Carolina University in South Carolina and Plymouth State University in New Hampshire, where she intends to study design and teaching. Head Coach Mark Schruender, middle center, addresses the team at halftime. (Advocate photos by Tara Vocino) play her senior year because of her hip injury has been one of her biggest challenges. “This team has always been a second family to me, and I was looking forward to playing my senior year,” Stewart said. “Even though I can’t be out on the court, I will still continue to support the team as much as I can.” Similarly, for McLaughlin, it wasn’t what she had expected, either, without a packed Senior/Guard Haley McLaughlin #10, second from right, played strong defense. (Photo Courtesy of Maureen McLaughlin) gym cheering the girls on. However, she is thankful to be playing, nevertheless. “It’s so hard, because I remember the other seniors years, [which] it’s not even close to ours,” McLaughlin said. “I still give 100 percent on the court, and I’m thankful for my team and coaches.” Schena said Covid-19 has affected both academics and SPORTS | SEE PAGE 15
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