Saugus’ Bertrand reaches milestone in loss

NORTH READING – The Saugus boys basketball team remains one win away from a state tournament berth after a 62-54 loss to North Reading Monday.Despite the setback, the 9-8 Sachems still had reason to celebrate. Senior captain Joe Bertrand scored his 1,000th career point late in the third quarter on a free throw that punctuated a furious rally from the visitors, who grabbed a short-lived lead at 41-40.North Reading coach Joe Casey requested that the game be paused so Bertrand could acknowledge his teammates, coaches and the large contingent of Saugus (and North Reading) fans who gave him a rousing ovation.?I wasn?t expecting the game to stop, but I really appreciate it,” explained Bertrand. “It didn?t really sink in that I?d done it until everybody started cheering. It was a great moment.”Bertrand finished with a game-high 30 points.?The kid is the real deal and handles himself with class,” said Casey. “He?s a college caliber talent and is the definition of an all-around player. If he?s not the Cape Ann League MVP, it?ll be a surprise to me.”Spearheaded by their captain?s efforts, the Sachems outscored the Hornets 24-14 in the third period to take a one-point lead (43-42) into the final eight minutes. Bertrand scored 15 points in the frame. The hosts would respond in a big way.With under a minute remaining, North Reading sophomore Adam Goldstein nailed a three-pointer from the right wing to give his team its first lead since the 2:35 mark of the third quarter.The Sachems were unable to respond, allowing the Hornets to take advantage of their free throws, which were big problems for both teams all evening.?We didn?t come out with a win, which is tough to swallow,” Bertrand explained. “It?s great to have that accomplishment, but I?ve only been focusing on making the tournament and we are going to continue to work for that as a team.”Saugus head coach Paul Moran spoke of the effect Bertrand has had on the Sachems program since his arrival four years ago.?Without Joe, we don?t have much success as a program,” said Moran. “Plenty of players can be selfish and score but Joe is so much more than that. He plays great defense and hustles but beyond anything else, he is a team player.”Kyle Autilio added eight points for the Sachems while North Reading had three players score in double digits, including John Fitzgerald, who led the Hornets with 16 points.