SHS Sports Winter Roundup: early momentum on the mat, growth showing on the court

By Dom Nicastro

The winter season is just getting underway, and Saugus High School teams are already seeing meaningful action across multiple fronts. In this roundup, we check in on Saugus boys basketball as the Sachems settle in through their first two games, and Saugus/Peabody wrestling following a strong showing at the Glen Doherty Memorial Tournament, where multiple locals reached the podium against deep competition.

Boys basketball: Sachems respond after opening-night loss

The Saugus High boys basketball team wasted little time showing its resilience. The Sachems opened the season with a 73–51 loss to Salem, a game that Head Coach Joe Bertrand said provided valuable early lessons. Huey Josama led the way with 15 points, while Oliver Hernandez added 11 and Ryan Shea finished with nine as Saugus worked through some early-season adjustments.

Two nights later, those lessons translated into results. Saugus bounced back with a 65–56 road win over Community Academy of Science and Health (CASH) in Hyde Park, earning its first victory of the season. This time, the offense ran with more balance and control.

Shea scored a game-high 25 points, knocking down four three-pointers and consistently attacking off the pick-and-roll. Josama added 15 points, finishing strong around the basket, while Ryan Dupuy chipped in 10, cleaning up on the glass with putbacks and second-chance points. Paxton Ferraro added six in a complete team effort.

“I think we showed some good resilience,” Bertrand said. “We fought hard in the Salem game, bounced back with a good practice, and it resulted in a solid game.”

With the NEC schedule beginning, Bertrand said taking care of the basketball will be a major emphasis as Saugus prepares for a physical stretch of league play.

Wrestling: Saugus/Peabody earns multiple podium opportunities at Doherty Tournament

The Saugus/Peabody wrestling co-op delivered a strong, well-balanced performance at the 2025 Glen Doherty Memorial Wrestling Tournament, placing multiple wrestlers in championship, third-place and fifth-place bouts across the day. At 157 pounds, Saugus’ Justin Bremberg turned in the top finish of the tournament for the co-op, winning the championship with a 4–2 decision over Quinn Carbone of Shawsheen in the first-place match. Saugus’ Lukas Fondulis finished second at 144 pounds, falling by a 6–1 decision to Ray Mwangi of Leominster in the first-place bout after reaching the finals.

Several wrestlers battled through the consolation rounds to earn third-place finishes. At 132 pounds, Peabody’s Jackson Deleidi captured third place with a pin of Connor Buckley of Salem at 4:15 in the third-place match. At 165 pounds, Saugus’ Cesar Cruz secured third place with a 10–5 decision over Luca Kovacev of Winchester.

At 190 pounds, Peabody’s JJ Figueroa finished fourth after falling in the third-place match to Zachary Hashley of Gloucester by no contest. Saugus’ Jake Murray placed fourth at 120 pounds, dropping the third-place match to Jayden Chadwick of Gloucester by fall at 3:55. At 175 pounds, Peabody’s Jaden Ceac also finished fourth after being pinned by Ilyas Malik of Winchester at 2:29 in the third-place bout.

Two wrestlers finished fifth after winning their placement matches. At 126 pounds, Saugus’ Tucker Landry earned fifth place with an 11–2 major decision over Owen Savage of Melrose. At 150 pounds, Peabody’s Michael Maraio placed fifth with a 13–5 major decision over Liam Siana of Cheverus/Falmouth.