SAUGUS — Coach Mark Schruender and his Saugus girls basketball team don’t count opponents out. So when the Sachems mounted an early 12-point lead midway through the second quarter in Monday’s game against Classical, Schruender and his group knew the Rams would storm back. They did, but the Sachems hit enough shots down the stretch for a 42-32 win at John Towers Gymnasium.
“(Classical coach) Tom (Sawyer) is an awesome coach and their kids work extremely hard,” Schruender said. “They’re disciplined. We told the kids ahead of time to be mentally tough when Classical’s run came. Their run came at the end of the second quarter. But I liked the way they played in the first half and they did a great job executing in the second half. I liked that we made it a fast-paced game.”
Seniors Taylor Bogdanski (18 points) and Jillian Ricupero (10 points) did the heavy lifting for Saugus.
“Taylor played really poised,” Schruender said. “It helps to see the ball go through the hoop early like she had it. Jillian’s just an amazing kid. She does whatever I ask. Taylor, same thing. It’s nice when your leaders, your seniors are kids that are also great kids because it sets an example for the kids that are up-and-coming.”
Freshman Ava Thurman led Classical with eight points, all scored in the second half.
“Ava’s coming along very nicely,” Sawyer said. “She has a high basketball IQ and understands the game, understands situations. For a freshman, that doesn’t always happen but in her case it does. We tell her to be aggressive and she likes being aggressive. She can get to the basket and knock down outside shots. She’s improving every day and has a tremendous desire to compete.”
Sajada Dean guided Classical in the first half with seven points.
A sluggish start kept the Rams playing from behind all game long.
“We got some shots that just weren’t going in,” Sawyer said. “Give credit to Saugus, they played really good defense. When we got the tempo of the game the way we wanted it, we scored a little bit. But it just wasn’t enough. Saugus is a good team.”
Bogdanski started the game with a 3-pointer from the top of the key and swished another 3 seconds later to put Saugus up 6-0. Dean followed with back-to-back baskets, bringing Classical to within two at 6-4. Ricupero proceeded to score the next six points (on a 3-pointer and three free throws). Saugus carried a 12-4 lead at the end of the opening period.
A pair of Saugus baskets halfway through the second quarter put the Sachems ahead 16-4. That’s when Classical opened up its offense, allowing the Rams to close the half on a high note. Lay-ups from Jean Gupton-Morrison, Amber Crayton and Thurman reeled the Rams back in. Dean hit a long-distance 3 before the buzzer, closing a 9-0 Rams run and whittling Saugus’ edge to 16-13 at halftime.
“We knew Saugus would run and jump so we had to pass out of that,” Sawyer said. “We can’t dribble out of that. The trap’s coming from the blind side. They did a better job passing out of it and when we do, we want to be aggressive going to the basket. We got a few hoops, we just couldn’t get over the hump.”
Lindsey Valeri’s floater to begin the third quarter closed the gap to 16-15. With Classical knocking on the door, Saugus turned to Bogdanski. She kept Classical at an arm’s length with a 3-pointer and a lay-up on Saugus’ next two possessions. Classical, again, came to within a point when Thurman hit the Rams’ lone 3-pointer of the night to make it a 21-20 game. A basket from Bogdanski and Ricupero’s pull-up jumper put Saugus up 25-20 heading into the fourth quarter.
Kiley Ronan netted two clutch baskets, building Saugus’ lead to 34-24 in the fourth. Kiara Edmonds brought Classical back to within single-digits with an easy lay-in. Thurman closed the gap to 35-30 midway through the quarter but Saugus stamped the win on a 7-2 run behind a string of free throws.
The Sachems (4-2) visit Swampscott Friday (7).
“The hardest work is yet to come,” Schruender said. “We talk about humility all the time. We have to be ready for the next game. Swampscott’s as tough as Classical.”
Classical (4-2) travels to Malden Wednesday (7).
