Big Men Lead Sharon Boys' Basketball Past Milford

The usually small and quick Sharon Eagles boys’ basketball team showed some talent in an area that was a question mark going into the season - their big men. Normally playing with four guards, the Eagles went into Friday night’s game against the Milford Scarlet Hawks with an extra big man after discussions early this week about the change in strategy.

“We decided to start two big kids instead of four guards. Gave us an opportunity to control the backboard and do a real good job inside,” Sharon head coach Bruce Jackman said. “It makes the opposing team have to spend a lot more inside where they can’t run around and cover Jimmy (Fritzon) and Brian (Muskasa).

With the Scarlet Hawks unable to cover the low post while keeping an eye on the Sharon guards around the perimeter, the Eagles bounced back from Tuesday’s loss with a 62-44 win over Milford.

The Eagles are now 9-2 and remain on top of the Davenport Division.

“9-2 is pretty good. Would have been nice to be 10-1 but you can’t say anything bad about this. It was a good win, good to bounce back from a poor performance,” Jackman said.

Earl Dessesaure showed flashes of talent, finishing with 10 points and 13 rebounds for a double-double. The center helped push the Eagles to an 11-0 run to start the game with a high bank shot followed by a putback midway though the first quarter. Later in the second quarter, a steal by Muskasa to Dessesaure for a dunk kept the lead at 11.

Milford best chance to come back came midway though the second quarter with the deficit down to five thanks three pointers from Chris Brown and Mattt Groose midway though the second period. The Eagles would adjust to the Milford press and work the baseline to extend the lead to nine at the half.

Mike Zola formed the second half of the big man duo, scoring seven points and pulling down nine rebounds. Zola’s presence caused trouble for Milford late in the first quarter when the Scarlet Hawks attempted to run a full court press, leaving the sophomore open under the basket for easy buckets. Combined, the two big men, usually not an area of offensive production for Sharon, gave the Eagles 17 points.

“Zola is giving us a lot of activity. He’s getting better after every single game. 17 from one position is pretty good for what we normally get from that spot,” Jackman said.

Fritzon led the team with 22 points and Brian Mukasa scored 15 points after sitting out Tuesday’s game against King Philip.

Sharon is off until Jan. 21 when they travel to Taunton