THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – Friday, February 15, 2019 Page 9 Saugus girls on roll as season nears close By Greg Phipps T he Saugus girls’ basketball team has been playing so well of late, the regulars had an opportunity to rest a bit in Monday’s 37-17 victory at Salem. It was the fourth win in a row for the Sachems, who improved to 13-7 and are gearing up for the state tournament. It was pretty much a pressure-free situation against the struggling Witches, as the Sachems built a commanding 26-9 lead by halftime. Head coach Mark Schruender took advantage of the opportunity to empty his bench in the second half. Just 19 points total were scored over the final two periods, but the Sachems were never threatened. Taylor Bogdanski (12 points) and Kiley Ronan (six) netted nearly half the Saugus output in the win. The Sachems hosted Winthrop on Thursday with the goal of continuing their hot streak as the regular season draws to a close. Saugus collected two big victories last week, most notably a 51-42 home triumph over Swampscott last Friday. In that game, Alessia Salzillo and Bogdanski combined for 23 points while Jillian Ricupero added 11, shooting a perfect 9-for-9 from the free-throw line. Along with the solid offensive output (the Advocate Newspapers Free Every Week Everett, Malden, Revere, Saugus Call for Great Advertising Rates 781-233-4446 Saugus’s Molly Granara splits two defenders on this layup attempt in Monday’s win at Salem. (Photos by Greg Phipps) Sachems have played a number of low-scoring contests this year), Schruender praised the team’s effort on defense. An example of the team’s typical low-scoring battles was last Wednesday’s 38-36 home victory over Fontbonne Academy. Ronan was top scorer with 11 points while no other Sachem finished with double figures. Salzillo and Marissa Stockwell each netted six points. Bogdanski and Molly Granara added five each. It was a good win considering Saugus suffered a doubledigit loss to Fontbonne the first time the two squads met this winter. “It was a low-scoring game, every point mattered,” Schruender told the press afterward. “Our bench played great, our energy was great. They beat us by 12 points earlier in the season. The players worked really hard and they brought it [in this game].” Saugus’s Alana Aldred drives the baseline against Salem’s Anna Cantone. Saugus defenders Jillian Ricupero and Alana Aldred pressure Salem’s Debra Dominguez.
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