Saugus boys basketball: New year reveals growth amid challenges

By Dom Nicastro

The Saugus High School boys basketball team is 4-7 after 11 games. On the surface, not great. But that is as many wins as the entire last season. Looking at that, it appears this season will be one of growth.

The Sachems are 2-3 in their last five (heading into this week). While the team continues to face its share of challenges, Coach Joe Bertrand sees plenty of progress and believes the Sachems are on the right path to improvement in the season’s second half.

Reflecting on the season so far, Bertrand described it as a mixed bag. “It’s been up and down,” he said. “We’ve had some moments where we looked really good, and then some moments where we’ve struggled. The focus for the second half is to string together those good moments.”

Saugus faced strong competition throughout January, including a decisive loss to Salem (88-41) and a narrow 59-58 defeat to Kipp Academy Lynn.

“We’ve had games where we’re right there, and it’s just a matter of finding a little extra to push us over the top,” Bertrand said.

At their best, the Sachems thrive on playing fast-paced, aggressive basketball. “We’re playing fast, causing a little bit of chaos on defense, and pushing the ball on offense,” Bertrand said. “When we’re moving the ball and getting good open shots, we’re at our best.”

This style was on full display during their victories. Against Winthrop, the Sachems eked out a 51-49 win thanks to balanced scoring from Jordan Rodriguez (15 points), Ryan Shea (13) and Huey Josama (10). Another bright spot came in the Triton Holiday Tournament, where they defeated Northeast Voke, 72-34, in the consolation game.

Bertrand said the team is doing a really good job of playing together as a team; you can tell by their spread-out scoring.

Senior Cam Victor has been the leading scorer for the month for Saugus, averaging 11.6 points per game in January. “Cam’s been shooting the ball well and coming on strong lately,” Bertrand said. “As a senior, we’re going to need his leadership in the second half of the season.”

Juniors Ryan Shea and Huey Josama have also been pivotal. Bertrand highlighted their potential to elevate their games further. “Ryan’s our point guard, and if he knocks down a few more threes per game, he could easily be an 18-to-22-point guy,” he said. “For Huey, it’s about being aggressive in the post and demanding the ball. He’s got the skills – he just needs to combine that with assertiveness.”

Freshman Ryan Dupuy continues to show promise, while juniors Rodriguez and Nathan Soroko provide additional depth. Bertrand is optimistic about the team’s future, with many key contributors returning next season. It’s a super-young team.

The Northeastern Conference remains a tough battleground, with Swampscott, Salem, Beverly and Gloucester emerging as top contenders.

With four wins already matching last season’s total, the Sachems are seeing measurable growth. “It’s great to see us playing a little better as a team than we did last year,” Bertrand said. “Now it’s about staying consistent and continuing to work hard.”