SAUGUS — Saugus’ girls basketball team finished 14-8 last season and recorded a win in the state tournament. This year, the Sachems are led by first-year coach Taylor Bogdanski (SHS ’20), a former standout who continued her playing career at Endicott College in Beverly.
Now on the sideline, Bogdanski is eager to guide the program she once suited up for.
“I love Saugus and I’m happy to be back,” she said. “I just really want to contribute and give back because I know how great my experience was. That’s what I want to give back to the girls.”
The Sachems graduated key players such as Madison Botta, Taylor Deleidi, and Ella Castle, but returned the program’s all-time leading scorer in Peyton DiBiasio.
Despite being a younger team, Boganski is liking what she’s seen thus far.
“It’s been amazing. We have the best girls. They’re so hungry and eager to learn,” she said. “We’re a pretty young group, so that drive to want to know every aspect of the game is really heightened. It makes coaching so much more fun when they’re so involved and want to be here.
“Besides Peyton, I think Georgia Condakes and Kaitlyn Hashem are really going to step up this year. They just want to win. They want to take in every aspect of the game and they’re such coachable kids. It shows they want to be here and get better.”
As for what Bogdanski expects from DiBiasio, look no further than skills and leadership.
“I think she’s going to take her game to the next level,” Bogdanski said. “She wants to end her high school career on the best note possible and I know she’ll do everything she can to get there. She’ll also help the younger kids along the way. She’s such a leader for them.”
When asked to describe herself as a coach, Bogdanski spoke about being positive, but also delivering some “tough love.”
“I would describe myself as positive and hungry. I’m always pushing my girls to do better because I know what they’re capable of.”
You could say motivation won’t be a problem for Saugus. Bogdanski believes her team’s biggest strength is its “drive to win.”
“I think these girls will do whatever it takes and that can overpower skill.”
Although it’s only her first season in charge, Bogdanski wants to build connections with her players to help build a healthy culture.
“I want to be here for a long time and take this program to the top — and that starts with relationships. I want to make sure these girls have the best experience possible.”
