For most of Peyton DiBiasio’s basketball career, the now-Sachem played against girls older than her. And, truth be told, it was because she liked the challenge.
When DiBiasio, now a Saugus freshman, was a first-grader in youth basketball, her opponents were in fourth and fifth grade – that’s when it started.
“It was fun. I loved the competition,” DiBiasio said. “It forced me to get better and it prepared me for the future.”
Last year, as an eighth-grader, DiBiasio played on the high school varsity team and helped the Sachems qualify for the state tournament. Sachems’ head coach Mark Schruender said DiBiasio was “an integral part of the team” and a “tremendous player.”
“Peyton has always played up, and welcomed the competition,” Schruender said.
DiBiaso recently scored 49 points in back-to-back games, helping her team pick up two wins in as many days.
Talk about consistency. DiBiasio scored 25 points against Arlington Catholic, followed by 24 against Gloucester.
Before games, DiBiasio gets “excited nerves,” but once the Star Spangled Banner plays, she zones in and “it all kind of goes away.” DiBiasio doesn’t have any specific gameday superstitions, or rituals, but shoots free throws and performs dribbling drills at game speed.
Her pregame free throws are paying off. Schruender said DiBiasio is “up 10 percent at the free throw line from last year.”
Like hardwood, like classroom. Schruender, who was also DiBiasio’s math teacher last year, said DiBiasio worked on extra math problems during lunchtime to improve.
“All that time she put in, and the intensity of [her] focus – it added up to her getting a lot better at math throughout the year,” Schruender said. “That’s the same way she is on the court. She had a great year last year, but she has made significant strides so far this season.”
That same mindset translates to the court, where she spent the offseason improving her ability to get to the rim – as well as her defense.
“I was always playing against kids who are juniors and seniors – some of whom have Division 1 offers,” DiBiasio said. “[Playing AAU] in the offseason helped me get ready for the new season, and helped me get better on defense and sharpen my offensive skill set.”
DiBiasio is averaging around 19 points per game this season. When asked if she had any individual goals, she said she wants to be a 1,000-point scorer by the time her Saugus career is said and done.
“My main goal, once I finish high school, is to score 1,000 points. I hope, by the end of the season, I can be at least halfway to that goal,” DiBiasio said.
Schruender described DiBiasio as “humble,” and when asked what her favorite moment of the year has been so far, DiBiasio’s response wasn’t individual – she said it was when her team defeated Arlington Catholic.
“Everyone on the team contributed. Our defense was good and it was a tough game – and everyone played a part in the team victory,” DiBiasio said.
And if you ask Schruender about DiBiasio, he’s ready to watch.
“She’s been really good for a long time,” Schruender said.
