Family and coaches congratulate DiBiasio on scoring 1,000 career points in girls’ hoop

By Tara Vocino

Family, Sachems fans and coaches congratulated junior Peyton DiBiasio on scoring her 1,000th career point in girls’ basketball, following last Thursday’s basketball game at Saugus High School.

Her sister, Ariana, said being proud of her is an understatement. “Surrounded by Saugus pride, we’re showing that Saugus isn’t just a small town,” Ariana said. “It’s rare for girls to achieve this.”

The last time a female at Saugus High School achieved this milestone was in 2014 by now Assistant Coach Norma Waggett.

Former basketball Coach Mark Schruender said Peyton’s talent speaks for itself as the only 8th grader to make varsity in his 10 years as coach. “I think the thing that I respect most about Peyton is her elite work ethic,” Schruender said. “Between water breaks she’d take shots at practice and in the off season she played constantly… She never misses days and never gives haphazard effort. Ultimately this is really hard to measure, but if there was an odometer on all the work put in, Peyton would lap the field.”

“On top of her work ethic she does so many unrequired things that I admire from a character perspective,” Schruender said. “Even though I’m out of the picture, I see Peyton volunteering after school to do skills training with Saugus middle schoolers.”

Just a few weeks ago he brought his one-year-old to cheer on his students at an eighth-grade travel game, and Peyton was sitting on the bench to support them.

“She could have gone the private school route and done well academically, but she has embraced Saugus,” Schruender said. “The basketball program is obviously better because of her, but more importantly Saugus is a better place because of her.”

The fact that she scored 1,000 points is incredible, but he’s all in on celebrating Peyton the person first and Peyton the basketball player second. She’s a role model he’d want Saugus kids to follow as well as his own daughter.

Ariana remembers Peyton dribbling the ball in their living room since she was six years old. “It’s engraved into who she is,” Ariana said. “She has a passion, drive and skill to do better.”

Peyton’s brother, Ronald, said she is his favorite person to play with. “She always gotten better, and now I can’t play against her,” said Ronald, who is the tallest in the family.

Peyton’s father, also named Ronald, said he knows how hard Peyton has worked by setting a goal and reaching it. “I’m thankful for every coach and teammate who has had an impact on her basketball career,” Ronald said. “I’m also fortunate to see my other children reach their goals.”

Peyton’s mother, Jennifer, said Peyton made the fifth grade travel basketball team when she was only in second grade. Peyton also made varsity as an eighth grader. “She quit dancing at an early age to play basketball,” Jennifer said. “Having Norma in her corner definitely helped.”

She also credited current Coach Joseph Lowe for his mentorship and time spent coaching.

Waggett said it’s an incredible achievement and takes a lot of hard work, sacrifice and dedication to do so. “I’m very proud of Peyton and look forward to see what else she will accomplish in her career,” Waggett said.