Saugus girls hoop picks up eighth win, looks for growth

By Dom Nicastro

The Saugus High School girls basketball team is just past the midpoint of its 2024-2025 season with an 8-4 record. It has shown plenty of flashes of brilliance but needs to address challenges in consistency and teamwork, according to coach Joe Lowe.

Saugus split its most recent games, losing to Arlington Catholic, 54-44, before bouncing back with a commanding 54-14 victory over Salem.

Reflecting on the Arlington Catholic game, Lowe expressed frustration with the team’s effort. “We just didn’t play,” Lowe said. “We literally did not play basketball until a two-minute stretch in the fourth quarter. There was just no energy, no effort, no nothing. And then we had it down to a four-point game or six-point game. And then we, in that time, decided to play.”

Despite the loss, Lowe highlighted standout performances from senior Peyton DiBiasio, who scored 30 points, and junior Shay Sewell. “Peyton was her typical Peyton,” Lowe said. “[Shay] averages like seven or eight deflections a game, and averages four or five steals a game. She’s just tough. With her and [Madison] Botta on the court, the other team’s best players aren’t the ones who are beating us at all.”

The bounce-back win over Salem demonstrated the Sachems’ ability to dominate on both ends of the court. While Lowe noted that Salem struggled with roster depth, he praised his team’s defensive effort and highlighted the leadership of senior Taylor Deleidi. “Taylor didn’t start, not because she didn’t deserve it or earn it,” Lowe said. “She came in and just worked extremely hard and just cheered for everybody and showed good leadership. For somebody who’s your captain and deserves to start and doesn’t start a game and responds in that way…my goal was to set an example for everybody else.”

Lowe has made it clear throughout the season that defense and teamwork are crucial to Saugus’ success. “Anytime that we’ve competed or won games, it’s been when there’s a sense of togetherness, and it’s playing for each other, talking each other up,” he said.

Recent struggles, however, have led Lowe to emphasize accountability.

Lowe praised the coaching staff for stepping up when needed. He had missed some practices because of an illness. “I was down and out the last two days,” Lowe said. “Norma [Waggett] stepped up and ran two great practices. I was sick as could be, but she picked me up.”

The Sachems were scheduled for two significant matchups this week, taking on Beverly on the road and Gloucester later on Friday, Jan. 24.

As Saugus looks to build on its strong record, Lowe is focused on improving chemistry and consistency. “We can compete with anybody,” Lowe said. “We beat Milton, who just beat Bridgewater-Raynham (No. 18 in Division 1). Even when we lost to Masco, we had it within a four-point game in the fourth quarter.”