REVERE — Just last week the Saugus girls basketball team got off to a fast start and handily beat Revere at home. Thursday the Sachems and Patriots met again, but Saugus had to fight for every basket to edge out a 42-36 win at Revere High.
“I told our kids before the game,” Sachems coach Mark Schruender said. “I know we’re thinking one thing because we played them last time and it went our way, but they played us tough in the second, third and fourth quarter last time. That was the case all game (Thursday). I like the way that we battled despite this one not being easy.
“It all depends on if you’re making shots or missing shots,” Schruender said. “I give Revere a ton of credit. They played hard (Thursday). They’re a tough group of kids. They showed their character.”
Molly Granara (11 points, 10 rebounds) posted another double-double and Taylor Bogdanski scored 11 points to lead the Sachems. Jillian Ricupero wasn’t far behind with 10 points while Kiley Ronan (four points, six rebounds) added some key defensive help.
“I thought our defense was great,” Shruender said. “I thought Taylor Bogdanski really stepped up her defensive effort. Kiley did what Kiley does. We get a lot of contributions from kids off the bench too. We have some things to work on after this one but I’m happy to come out with a win.”
Despite the loss, the Patriots left the court holding their heads high. Erica Cheever (11 points) and Skyla DeSimone (10) led the way for Revere.
“They played really hard and played a great game,” Revere assistant coach Jenna Thomas said of the Patriots. “Even some of the girls were saying that even though we lost this is one of the games that we really played like a team. They should be proud of themselves and we’re not disappointed.
“Skyla Desimone held her composure all night,” Thomas said. “Kathryn O’Donnell (nine points) and Erica Cheever are our captains and they really led us well (Thursday).”
Both teams traded blows right from the start, with each team knocking down a trio of 3-pointers in the first quarter.
Later in the second quarter with things tied at 19-19, Revere went on its biggest run of the night. Cheever started things off with a 3-pointer that forced a Saugus timeout. The stoppage didn’t help the Sachems much, however, and DeSimone knocked down another three to give the Patriots a 25-19 lead.
After a pair of Revere free throws, Granara broke the run with her and-one to cut the Patriots lead to 27-22 before the half.
Ronan got Saugus started in the second half with four-straight points before Bogdanski’s 3-pointer put the Sachems out front 27-26.
That was just the start of a third quarter that saw four lead changes. Bogdanski hit two more threes in the frame but Cheever’s shot from beyond the arch gave the Patriots a 34-32 lead heading into the fourth.
Jessica Nazarro’s 3-pointer to start the fourth quarter put the Sachems back ahead and their defense did the rest. Revere’s only points came off a pair of free throws from DeSimone and Ricupero stepped up for Saugus in the final minute, knocking down four-straight free throws to seal the 42-36 win.
“Jillian is a great free throw shooter,” Schruender said. “We trust her in that situation especially. She’s a really cool under pressure kid and she made some really good shots.”
The Sachems (13-3) host Winthrop Monday (7) while the Patriots (3-11) are right back on their home court Friday (6) against Medford.
