The center is the last line of defense, altering and contesting shots. He is tasked with ferociously rebounding the ball to ensure his teammates extra possessions. He is the anchor of the team’s defense, the five, the pivot, the man in the middle.

On Falcon basketball team where the big men are few, 6-4 senior Jonathan Boldt has stepped up as the protector of the paint.

“He's our most intimidating guy,” senior guard Brian Kim said. “When we walk into the gym, players on the other team see our best shot-blocker.”

As a player who performs much of the team’s work on the defensive end, Boldt takes on a team-first mentality every time he steps out on the court.

“I want to do whatever is best for the team,” Boldt said. “Usually that includes rebounding, blocking shots and defensive presence.”

During his high school career, Boldt transformed his basketball skill set to conform to the role as a center.

“I was not always a center; I used to be a guard,” Boldt said. “I became a center [during] my sophomore year after a growth spurt.”

The transition to the varsity team during his sophomore year was a difficult change for Boldt because of his inexperience as a center and the fast-paced style of the game.

“The game is played at a much faster pace and the competition is at a much higher level,” Boldt said. “Also, the players are much bigger and stronger on Varsity.”

As a freshman and early sophomore, Boldt played as a perimeter defender and started playing center after growing 5 inches in his sophomore year.

“I think I’ve improved on post-defense and I have been trying to get better at rebounding and boxing out,” Boldt said. “Also from playing point guard, I developed a three-point shot.”

However, even beyond the tangible aspects of his skills, Boldt sparks excitement to the rest of his team through his efforts on the court.

“Whenever Jon makes a great block or finishes around the rim, the rest of the team always gets energized,” Kim said.

Now looking forward to the season, the team faces a different league with reputable teams like Los Gatos and Palo Alto. However, Boldt and the team are confident that they will perform under the new difficulties.

“We are ready for this new league,” Boldt said. “It is one of the best public leagues in the area so it should be fun and filled with new competition.”