Attleboro boys' basketball comes from behind for win over Sharon

Going into halftime it was clear something was going to have to change for the Attleboro High Bombardiers defensively if they wanted to get a win.

After giving up 38 points over the first two quarters, the Bombardiers increased the physical play and started faceguarding Sharon star guard Brian Mukasa full-court.

The result was a 17-point second half for the Eagles and a 63-55 Hockomock League win for the Bombardiers.

Attleboro head coach Mark Houle was proud of the way the Bombardiers stepped up their play. "The biggest thing in the second half was we said if we're going to win we're going to play defense," he said. "We just didn't play good team defense and weren't physical and I thought we did a better job in the second half."

Mukasa, who scored 12 points in the first half, was held to six points in the final two quarters. Eagle head coach Bruce Jackman was disappointed that no one stepped up to help.

"People who were supposed to step up didn't step up, it's as simple as that," said Jackman. "We turned the ball over way too much...which I thought was the turning point and we got out-physicaled several times."

Senior guard J.J. Jolaoso was the star for the Bombardiers with 19 points. After an intentional foul call against Attleboro and two free throws from Mukasa cut the lead to 53-49 with 5:23 left, Jolaoso scored back-to-back buckets and then fed sophomore E.J. Santarpio to build the lead back to 10.

Jolaoso also clinched the win with two free throws in the final minute.

Tim Walsh had 12 points for the Bombardiers who also got plenty of support on the post from Raymond Ivey, 10 points, and Zach Morrison, 7 points. Houle sees improvements from his big men.

"Other big guys may be more skilled than us so we have to outwork them and we are starting to understand that," said Houle. "As well as they played there were a couple of other opportunities where we scored and we didn't."

Sharon captain Sam D'Arcy had an outstanding game on the post for the Eagles with 16 points (eight in each half) and a number of blocks down low.

"He played very well defensively," said Jackman. "His offense is predicated on the fact that he has to get out on the break and get the ball there. He's not the epitome of a big man, he does what he needs to for us."

Attleboro (5-3) will try to make it three wins in a row when they take on the defending chapions and current league leaders Mansfield on the road Tuesday. Sharon (3-4) will travel to the Davenport Division-leading Stoughton Black Knights.