Saugus’ Bertrand receives sportsmanship award from hoop referees

DANVERS – Joe Bertrand averaged 26 points, 14 rebounds and five assists for the Saugus High boys basketball team this season.That’s impressive. But Board 130 of the International Association of Approved Basketball Officials weren’t nearly as impressed with Bertrand’s statistics as it was with his character and sportsmanship.The IAABO board honored the 6-5 Bertrand Tuesday night at its annual dinner with the Edward “Gint” Middleton Award for sportsmanship and character.”I was definitely surprised and definitely honored,” said Bertrand upon hearing he’d received the honor.”Even to be considered for it would have been an honor.”Bertrand led Saugus to three straight MIAA tournament appearances, but said he really felt the mantle of leadership upon him when the Sachems’ coach, Paul Moran, was sick for almost a month during the season.”That hit me that I was going to have to step up and become a leader on this team,” he said. “I had to help keep things running smoothly.”His father, Mark, was the coach designated by Moran to take over until he could return to the sideline.”He helped keep things more or less the way they had been,” Bertrand said. “There were always the same expectations.”Bertrand says his definition of leadership is “going about things the right way, being respectful to teammates and opponents, minding my own business, and doing the right things, even when no one’s looking.”There are times,” he said, “when you don’t even know. You don’t really think about it. You’re just doing what you can to keep yourself calm.”He said he learned a lot from Moran.”Coach Moran said, every single day, before every game, and before every practice, to be respectful and just play the game,” Bertrand said, when asked about his dealings with officials.About Moran, he said, “It’s been great playing for him. He gets the best out of me every single day, every single practice. He’s always looking for more … always pushing me to do my best. I’m definitely better for having played for him.”Bertrand will be playing for a new baseball coach this season … Steve Freker, who coached Malden Catholic to a state championship in 2003.”We have to adjust to him, but I think we’re going in the right direction,” he said. “So far, it’s been great. We’re looking forward to the season. We have a pretty good balance with seniors, juniors and sophomores, so it should be a fun year.”Bertrand, who has a 3.2 GPA, is mulling over acceptances from Norwich, Framingham State, Fitchburg State, Salem State and Westfield State and he definitely wants to play basketball.”I’m not sure about baseball,” said Bertrand, who is a pitcher/first baseman on this year’s baseball team. “If the opportunity presents itself, I’d think about it. But I’d just like to focus on basketball.”