SAUGUS — If you want to be a great basketball player, there are no shortcuts – just like how there are no shortcuts to 1,000 career points. Last week, Saugus’ Peyton DiBiasio netted her 1,000th point just three games into her junior season.
DiBiasio, who first stepped onto a varsity floor when she was in eighth grade, has improved each and every year. Since her first day wearing the red and white jersey, reaching 1,000 points was a goal.
“It feels great,” she said. “It’s something I was looking forward to for a while, so to finally accomplish it is a true weight off my shoulders.”
Entering last Tuesday’s game against Gloucester, DiBiasio was 25 points shy of 1,000. As the game progressed, she was fouled and went to the free throw line.
Little did she know, she was at 999 points.
“Honestly, I didn’t know that it was for my 1,000. I knew I was close, but I didn’t know I was that close,” DiBiasio said. “I got a couple of glances from my coaches, but I figured they were acknowledging the play I made.”
As she’s done her entire career, DiBiasio sank the free throw.
“I wasn’t necessarily happy or sad; I didn’t know how to react,” she said. “I was just so thankful that I got it done. It was a weight off my shoulders and I was just glad it happened.”
During a time when lots of student-athletes go to private or prep school, DiBiasio said she’s honored to sport a Saugus uniform.
“It’s special. Saugus is my home and I’m here forever. I grew up playing travel basketball in Saugus and to finally play for the school, it’s something I’m honored to do,” she said. “To put on the Sachem jersey every day and put my best ability for the team, and Saugus, is an honor.”
Although it’s DiBiasio putting the ball in the basket, she made sure to credit her teammates and coaches.
“All of my coaches have been very supportive. Coach Mark (Schruender) gave me the opportunity to play in the eighth grade, so he definitely led the charge of giving me an early start to my road to 1,000. He was a great mentor, leading me on the path to become a better player,” she said. “Coach (Joe) Lowe, ever since he stepped in, I think he came on staff as an assistant my freshman year and now is the head coach. He had a huge impact on me by giving me the tools to help me succeed, whether it’s college recruitment or putting me in the best position possible to have good games.
“My teammates are the ones who do the most work. They push me in practice to be the best player I can be. If they’re not pushing me in practice, I can’t get better and the hard practices make the game seem easier,” she said. “All the points I’ve scored wouldn’t have been possible without the preparation and I’m so grateful for everyone and the things they’ve done to help me get to this point.”
Car rides and all, DiBiasio also thanked her family.
“It means a lot. Each and every one of them has sacrificed something for me. Whether it’s rides to practice or just rides to an empty gym to get shots up, they’ve all put in an effort to help me,” she said. “They know my goals. They see my potential in what I can accomplish, so they just want to do all they can to continue to help me and put me in the best position possible to succeed.”
The next goal for the sharpshooter? Becoming the all-time girls’ points leader at the school. Norma Waggett’s (now an assistant coach) record stands at 1,110 points.
“It’s been talked about a lot… I think that’s the big one next,” DiBiasio said. “She’s been very supportive of me getting my 1,000 and now, when I’m nearing her record, she’s excited for me to get that record, which could happen in the next few games.”
