Sachems notch 11th win, clinch playoff spot

  Since opening up the season by dropping three of its first four games, the Saugus High School girls’ basketball team has gone 10-4 and has earned a spot in the postseason tournament. The Sachems clinched the playoff berth by defeating Salem last Friday, and then reached 11 wins by knocking off Triton in Tuesday’s Senior Night contest.

  In the Salem game, eighth-grade guard Peyton DiBiasio connected on four three-pointers in the first half; she ended up with 20 points on the night to help lead Saugus to a 51-40 victory. Fallon Millerick netted 16 points, and Head Coach Mark Schruender credited Ashleen Escobar with a strong defensive effort.

  That win was number 10 on the season and catapulted the Sachems into this year’s playoff tournament. Saugus has played a lot of low-scoring, defensive games this winter and that was the case again on Monday night in an eventual 46-32 loss to Masconomet. Millerick was the lone Sachem player in double figures with 12 points, and DiBiasio and April Aldred chipped in with six each.

  Schruender said the third quarter was the difference in the game. “We struggled to score,” he told the press. “But I liked our defense. It was some of the best defense we’ve played this year, considering how good Masco is.” The Sachems lost by 15 to the Chieftains earlier in the season.

  In Tuesday’s victory over Triton, Aldred collected 11 points to lead a well-balanced attack in a 58-47 triumph. Millerick added eight and Cassie Israelson was a strong contributor with three points and solid defensive play.

  The Sachems improved to 11-7 overall after Tuesday’s win. They traveled to play Lynn Classical on Thursday (after press deadline) and conclude the regular season with a home game against Swampscott on Tuesday night.