Saugus boys hoops defeats West Ranch for second road win

Saugus' Anthony McIntyre (1) is one of 20 boys basketball players from the SCV signed up for the SCV Hoops Finale on Thursday at Saugus High. Signal file photo
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Saugus High boys basketball has taken down two of the toughest teams in the Foothill League back to back. And the Centurions haven’t even played a home game yet.

Saugus turned it on in the fourth quarter Friday night at West Ranch High to defeat the Wildcats, 67-64, after defeating Hart earlier in the week.

“I really wanted this win,” said Saugus combo guard Anthony McIntyre. “A lot of people were doubting us in this game, a lot of guys on social media, so I wanted to prove them wrong. And now we did.”

PHOTOS: Saugus defeats West Ranch on the road

At halftime, the score was tied at 25, with neither team appearing to have momentum.

West Ranch’s Austin Galuppo, who didn’t score in the first half, nabbed 10 points in the third quarter to help boost the Cats (8-9, 0-2 in Foothill) to a 44-39 lead.

Galuppo ended the game with 16 points, but two Cents caught fire in the fourth quarter to sear any hopes of a win.

Saugus’ Zach Phipps (22) goes in for a layup as West Ranch’s Chris Joo (3) and Ben Birchall (10) try to block him during a basketball game at West Ranch on Friday. Katharine Lotze/The Signal

Both McIntyre and Zach Phipps scored nine points in the final frame to put Saugus (12-4, 2-0) in the lead with less than two minutes remaining in the game.

“They feel very comfortable with the ball in their hands at the end of games,” said Saugus coach Bill Bedgood.

“That’s something that we’ve had a hard time doing at times … but today they really were solid leaders and went and got the ball when we needed them.”

McIntyre led the Centurions with 20 points, while Phipps had 15. Centurion Luke Bodeau added 12.

“Coach told us that he really wants a guy on the team to just get the ball and settle down the team. So me and Zach … looked to get the ball and we kept it nice and cool,” McIntyre said.

Saugus next plays in the Clash at Canyons tournament today, while West Ranch plays Hart on Tuesday.

Saugus will host the 2-0 Golden Valley Grizzlies on Tuesday when it resumes Foothill League play.

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