New era, new opportunities for Sachems

When Item All-Stars Curtis Casella and Selim Omerovic stepped onto the court last week, for UMass-Boston and Suffolk University, respectively, it indicated a strong future for programs other than their alma mater, Saugus.The key question that coach Paul Moran will have to answer is how he will replace the 29 points, 18 rebounds and six assists that the graduated pair contributed, on average, each game on a stellar run to the Division 3 North finals.”We lost four good seniors and three starters,” the Sachems mentor said. “We’re going to be consistent but, obviously, we have a lot of work to do.”Click here for a photo gallery.Strong building blocks exist in point guard and captain Brandon Wladkowski (nine points and 12 assists per game last year with a 17-point, seven-assist effort in a North semifinal win over Arlington Catholic) and center Shane Ripley (averaged 15 points and 10 rebounds in 2011-2012) along with football standout Ryan Henehan.”Those three started some, came off the bench at times, and bring back some valuable experience,” said Moran.Joining the trio in the starting lineup will be a solid inside presence in Joe Bertrand (10 points and 12 boards a game) and athletic sophomore guard Dave Cacciola.”Joe started every game last year and is coming along well, and Dave is such a great athlete (shown by his three-carry, 88-yard effort on Thanksgiving against Peabody) and is learning his position well,” said Moran.Some other superb athletes will be looking to contribute off the bench, including baseball All-Star Dante DelTorto, pitcher/shortstop Kory Dominic and starting quarterback C.J. Randolph.”These kids have worked hard,” Moran said. “Most of them are two- and three-sport athletes that have done a nice job in football, a nice job in soccer. I’d love to see them qualify and make the tourney. We’ll go 8-to-10 deep and they’ve got to go out there and do it.”As usual, the road to the postseason for a school with the second-smallest enrollment in the NEC will be daunting but ultimately rewarding, especially considering the level of competition the Sachems choose to face.”Obviously in the NEC South, Danvers is the cream of the crop as the state champion,” Moran said. “Us, Swampscott, Winthrop, Marblehead and Gloucester are all about even.”But I can’t say enough about (athletic director) Mike Nelson for the situation he’s put us in. For us to play (powerhouse) Everett every year – where we never played them before – and to beat them is great. We played (Division 1) St. John’s Prep two years ago when they had Pat Connaughton (now with Notre Dame) ? we’ll play anyone anywhere.”And Saugus has the best working relationship from the principal to the AD to the teachers to the students,” Moran concluded. “We have the support of everybody and it certainly helps.”