Aggressive Defense in 2nd Sparks Sharon Over North Attleboro

Two days after displaying an offensive clinic for rival Oliver Ames on Jan. 10 although not defending well in the game, the Sharon High basketball team on Sunday rode a 21-6 second quarter fueled by the caliber of pressure defense lacking versus the Tigers to a 65-55 victory in North Attleboro.

Sharon Head Coach Bruce Jackman says that his squad’s defense during that period represented the extended, consistent play he is seeking from his squad at that end of the floor. “Absolutely. We’re looking to hold someone to 12-14 in a period. We’re accomplishing our goal if we keep people under 60. The defense picked up; I was happy with that.” Jackman said.

Once again entering the game not firing on all cylinders, a common theme thus far this season, Sharon was up 18-16 after one quarter of play. Then, the Eagles’ defense imposed itself on the Red Rocketeers, forcing countless turnovers through assorted traps, and capitalizing on fast-break opportunities.

“I think we can be the best defensive team in the state if we put in the effort and actually want it,” said sophomore Jordan Mello-Klein, who recorded a team-high five steals. “That’s what we did that quarter. We put in the effort, got a bunch of steals, and held them to six points.”

“Our defense was much better [than vs. Oliver Ames],” said senior captain Erik Kushner. “Our defense is all about intensity and helping. We just love to fly around, get steals, and we got easy buckets.”

Sharon entered halftime leading 37-24, and that difference stayed fairly even the rest of the game. Jackman says that playing such up-tempo defense during the second quarter took a toll on Sharon players physically as the game wore on.

“I started to find out as the game progressed, exerting all that energy in the second and third periods, [senior captain Jimmy] Fritzson got very tired,” Jackman said. “[Senior captain] Brian [Mukasa] and Jordan were OK, but Jimmy, because he really exerts so much energy on offense, was tired.”

Mello-Klein says that he feels that kind of defensive intensity can be maintained over a full game. “I think it can be if we’re willing to put in the effort. It’s tough, because 32 minutes of defense is very tiring. I think we can do it, but we have to be on it, 32 minutes,” he said.

Jackman says that he needs to be more proactive rotation-wise to help his players sustain their energy during games, saying, “I’ve got to find some way of getting other people involved in this, too.” The coach noted that senior guard Ade Bright “can play great defense” and sophomore guard Matt Lowerre “does a good job for us”.

The Eagles’ offensive output was not nearly as explosive as on Friday night, when Mukasa (34), Fritzson (24), and Mello-Klein (18) combined for 75 of the squad’s 90 points versus the Tigers. On Sunday, Sharon scored 25 fewer points, with no player topping 20. Fritzson’s 19 was the game-high, as was his five three-pointers.

“The offense, we almost cut it [points] in half,” said Kushner. “The scoring was pretty spread out. We didn’t shoot the ball well, but you can’t shoot the ball well every night. Hopefully, we’ll just get better next week.”

Mello-Klein made four of his nine treys but regrets not attacking the rim with greater regularity. “I thought my shot was all right; I hit a couple of threes. I should have been more aggressive at some points; instead of spotting up and taking the three, maybe take it to the basket more,” he said.

Jackman says that Sharon’s depth of quality younger players, with Mello-Klein, Lowerre, and post player Michael Zola earning trust in important situations, is a strength that not many other teams enjoy.

"It's great to have these sophomores playing at this level. We have three solid sophomores who are contributing night in and night out and that's something that's really going to help us down the line," Jackman said.

Kushner, who grabbed five rebounds off the bench, says that the team made it hard on itself by allowing North Attleboro to remain within striking distance for most of the fourth quarter. “At the end, we let up a little bit, but we came out with the win. Us together, we won this game. We gutted it out and did what we had to do,” he said.

Sharon (8-1, 5-1 Hockomock) plays two more league games in the normal Tuesday and Friday night time slots, both home games. Tuesday, the Eagles face King Philip, the biggest team size-wise in the league, while on Friday, the team in their rearview mirror as second place in the Davenport, Milford, visits Eagle Gymnasium.

“We’ve got two inferior teams; we should get two wins,” Kushner said. “But, still, they’re going to be tough. KP is big, Milford is young and they’re inspired. In the Hockomock, every team plays hard, and we can’t take a night off.”

Mello-Klein says that with many games in a short timeframe, recharging the batteries will be crucial to avoiding a subpar outing and likely loss. “We have a day of practice in between every game, so that’s important to rest and just get healthy – take care of our bodies,” he said. “It’s a long season, and this stretch has been very tiring.”