Sharon Boys Basketball Foes Face Press(ure)

The varsity boys basketball team will redefine "meet the press" this winter.

Built on quickness, athleticism and seven strong three-point shooters, the Eagles are "going to press full court (and) we're going to press half court" this season, head coach Bruce Jackman says.

Sharon opens the 2011-2012 season at 6:30 p.m. Friday at home, against Canton.

"We blew up our offense. We don't slow it down anymore," Jackman said after practice Tuesday.

Last year, Sharon finished the regular season 11-11 and seeded 14th in the MIAA Division 2 South Sectional tournament. However, third-seed Falmouth won their first-round game, . The Eaglas had reached the tournament by defeating visiting Medford, , in the season finale.

This year, sophomore guards James Fritzson and Brian Mukasa will be "the two people who are going to make us go," the coach said.

The duo is "two of the best guards we've had come through this program since I've been here, and prior to that, too," Jackman said.

"They both can shoot the three. They both can take the ball to the basket. They both can play very good defense," he said.

"I think we're set at the guard position for the next three years with those two."

Leading Sharon this year will be senior tri-captains Sam D'Arcy, Mitchell Goldenberg and Caleb Piltch-Loeb.

All three are "real good leaders" and will be "strong, strong contributors" this winter, Jackman said.

Piltch-Loeb will be Sharon's third guard, and one of its three-point threats.

"He handles the ball well. He's a calming influence," Jackman said.

D'Arcy and Goldenberg are both centers.

D'Arcy is "one of the best big-man defenders in the game," Jackman said.

"I think he's going to surprise a lot of people. He can really, really run. He plays great defense for us," Jackman said.

Goldenberg is "rounding himself into shape," the coach said. Goldenberg was the varsity boys soccer team's starting goalkeeper and a captain this fall.

Two of Goldenberg's soccer teammates, juniors Kevin Bartas and Ian Beach, are among Jackman's forwards.

"They're fast. They can shoot the ball. They're aggressive. They going to be big-time players for us not only this year but down the road," Jackman said.

Rounding out Sharon's three-point arsenal with Bartas, Beach, Fritzson and Mukasa are senior forward Jonah Kurman-Faber and junior forward Brian Lawrence.

Kurman-Faber is coming off a "very, very good" summer league season, Jackman said.

"He shoots the ball extremely well," the coach said.

"I think that when teams come out and play some zone against us that he's going to be instrumental in getting them out of the zone and getting them to play man-to-man against us. And any team that plays man-to-man against us is just going to make it easier for us, because we're so quick."

Junior guard Sean Asnes, for example, was a Hockomock League All-Star running back this fall.

"He understands what it means to be on the stage," Jackman said.

"He's a great defensive player. He's so quick."

Up front, senior center Sam Kutana will spell D'Arcy and Goldenberg, Jackman said.

Junior forward Tobey Modebelu will get rebounds, and junior forward Matt Thomas shoots well, Jackman said.

Senior forward Ryan Long will be on the wing, and is good both offensively and defensively.

Lawrence, a transfer student, is "very athletic," Jackman said.

"He can jump. He can run. He's got a nice touch around the basket. He's more of a wing player than an inside player," Jackman said.

"He's still in a learning mode right now, but he's going to be good."

Sharon plays once next week, at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, against Oliver Ames.