Sharon High Boys' Basketball Team Loses to Scituate in D-2 South Semifinals

The Sharon High boys' basketball team lost to Scituate, 83-79, in the Division 2 South semifinals Tuesday night in Taunton.

The Sailors will now move on to play Milton or Wellesley in the Division 2 South finals, Saturday at UMass-Boston.

James Fritzon was the top scorer for the Eagles with 34 points, while Brian Mukasa had 20 and Ian Beach chipped in with 15.

“We got a great game from Fritzon and Mukasa again. They can control tempo and they create a lot of problems but they just ran out of gas. You can’t play at that speed all the time,” said Sharon head coach Bruce Jackman.

Freshman John Foster led Scituate in scoring with 28 points and 18 rebounds.

“We certainly couldn’t handle the kid, Foster," said Jackman. "He was a load inside and we tried everything we could defensively to try and stop him but once Bartas got in foul trouble he was too much for us to handle.

"They just wore us down physically." 

Down the stretch, the difference turned out to be free throws. Scituate's Tarran O'Toole made six big free throws.

Scituate head coach Matt Poirer said on WATD radio that his advance scouts had focused on the Eagles, seeing them play five times.

"We knew they were a potential match-up," he said.

Sharon came out on fire in the first half, jumping out to a 26-18 lead.

"When teams are shooting like that," said Poirier. "There's not much you can do."

The Eagles finished the season with a 15-8 overall record. 

GAME BREAKDOWN:

UPDATE:6:57-The Sharon crowd is chanting "Let's Go Eagles."

UPDATE: 7:01-The game is under way with a quick basket by Brian Mukasa after the Eagles won the tip.

UPDATE 7:11-Scored tied at 5 as Scituate senior Tarran O'Toole got fouled on his way to the basket.

UPDATE 7:13-Two three-points by James Fritzon puts the Eagles on top, 13-7.

UDDATE 7:25-After the first quarter, Sharon is winning, 26-18. Scituate has had problems with turnovers.

UPDATE 7:29-Scituate is battling back in the second quarter, cutting the margin to 28-22.

UPDATE 7:31-Okundaye slammed home a Sharon turnover, Scituate cuts the lead to 28-24.

UPDATE 7:36=Scituate battles back to tie the game at 30 as Okundaye converts a free throw.

UPDATE 7:38-Scituate takes its first lead of the game at 32-30 with 1:23 left to go in the first half.

UPDATE 7:43-After the half, Sharon has a one-point lead after Fritzon hit a three-pointer as time expired in the half with the Eagles ahead, 38-37.

UPDATE 8:09-After a back and fourth third quarter, the Eagles are down by two, 58-56, going into the fourth quarter.

UPDATE 8:13- Scituate goes up, 62-59, in the fourth quarter.

UPDATE 8:16-The Sailors are going with a big lineup with three players over 6-4.

UPDATE 8:17-Free throws the rest of the way as both teams are over the limit with 5:49 left to go in the game.

UPDATE: 8:19-With 5:09 left, Scituate is up by four at 67-63. Neither team can pull away.

UPDATE: 8:22-Scituate is on fire from the free throw line.