Easy Does It for Saugus in 42-36 Win

Minutes seemed to pass between baskets Tuesday night as Saugus High methodically tried to climb back into the Golden League basketball race against visiting Quartz Hill.

And precision paid off for Saugus in the form of a 42-36 victory that moved the Centurions (16-6, 5-2 in league play) one game behind the first-place Rebels (13-7, 6-1), who defeated Saugus three weeks ago at Quartz Hill.

Saugus entered the fourth quarter holding a 28-26 lead, then fell behind, 33-32, on a three-point basket by Ryan Beckstead, who scored a team-high 16 points.

Saugus, however, closed with a 10-3 run that consumed the final six minutes and included four points by Josh Hinrichs, who finished with 24 points to account for more than half of the Centurions’ scoring.

Only five players scored for Saugus, which played to a slow tempo, Coach John Clark said, largely in an attempt to slow Quartz Hill guard Dan Prince.

Prince, averaging 20 points a game, was held to eight points, including only two in the second half and none in the fourth quarter. Prince missed his final five shots from the field.

“We weren’t pretty fast tonight,” Clark said. “But we were pretty determined. Let’s face it: We had to win tonight. I’m running out of games.”

Earlier in the day, Clark indefinitely suspended senior forward Chris Hernandez, the team’s leading rebounder (6.8 average) for missing practice Saturday.

Clark said he will meet with Hernandez today to discuss his status.

Meanwhile, Hinrichs, who scored 13 first-half points to lead Saugus to a 23-18 halftime lead, picked up the slack.

Hinrichs made a jump shot in the lane with two minutes to play to give Saugus a 36-33 lead. Prince then was whistled for an inbounds violation and John Dell of Saugus scored another quick basket. Hinrichs added a layup with three seconds to play.