Saugus boys hoop solid in season opener

SAUGUS – The Saugus High boys basketball team picked up right where it left off last season, as Saugus defeated Gloucester 65-57 at Saugus Thursday night in the season opener.Click here for a photo gallery.The Sachems have higher expectations after a great run in the postseason last year, but Saugus coach Paul Moran knows it’s all about taking one game at a time.”It’s always nice getting the first win of the season right off the bat. My boys put on a decent showing tonight, but I know we can play much better,” Moran said.Last night, the Sachems were led by a two-headed monster in Shane Ripley and Brandon Wladkowski. The duo combined to score 45 of the 65 Sachem points. Ripley recorded a double-double (27 points, 10 rebounds) and Wladkowski was a great floor general for the Sachems (18 points, 5 assists, 3 rebounds).Saugus started off a little slow out of the gates, as Gloucester took an early 14-7 lead more then midway through the first quarter. The Sachems went on an 8-1 run to close the quarter and break even with Gloucester, 15-15.The Fishermen played a strong second quarter, led by guard Drew Muniz. Muniz scored 10 points in the frame, as he led the Fishermen to a 33-29 lead at the half. The Sachems played a much more aggressive and efficient second half, as Saugus outscored Gloucester 36-24 in the half. Saugus took a 45-44 lead at the end of the third quarter. The Sachems opened up the fourth quarter on an 8-0 run, and never looked back.”It was a very good game,” Moran said. “Gloucester shot lights-out ? I think first game, everyone had the jitters. We were lucky we got out with a win.”A major key to the Sachem success was at the charity stripe. The Sachems outscored Gloucester 18-8 at the free throw line, which was the difference in the game. Joe Bertrand had a rough shooting night from the outside, not cashing in on one three-pointer in the game (he did score 10 points on the night). Saugus was able to play more solid at the end of the game, and a couple crucial turnovers late from Gloucester helped seal the deal for Saugus.”I give our kids credit. They hung tough and found a way to win,” Moran said.The Sachems are now 1-0 on the young season, and will look to make it two straight when they square off against Everett Saturday night.