Gryphons' game is two of a kind

Sickles has been playing well in January; but sometimes a different team shows up, one that's sluggish and lacks control.

By ROD GIPSON
© St. Petersburg Times
published January 25, 2002

CITRUS PARK -- A look at two games last week can go a long way toward explaining Sickles basketball this season. In beating Tampa Bay Tech 64-56 on Thursday, Sickles controlled the ball and the game's tempo, putting four scorers in double figures.

Two days later, the Gryphons looked to be a shell of the former team while sluggishly falling by 17 points to Jefferson.

"We have been a little inconsistent and haven't been able to finish in some games," said Sickles coach Derrick Gaines. "But I like the way we have been playing in January. The guys have been playing good basketball of late."

Good enough that the Gryphons could still snag the fourth seed by the time the Class 4A, District 9 tournament tips off next month.

Further proof of Sickles' talent lies in the fact it swept district foes Armwood and Tampa Bay Tech and played well in losses to powerhouses Plant and Brandon.

For now the team will settle for a solid effort when it faces host Wharton in the second matchup of the Times North of Tampa Basketball Festival at 7:30 p.m. Saturday.

Senior forward Brandon Galvin has been outstanding, scoring 12 points a game and pulling down five rebounds a game. Teammates Jose Rodriguez, Channing Pittman and Steven Cotton have all contributed, as well.

"We're better than our record," said Gaines, whose team had five of its 13 losses occur during tournament play in December. "And we're playing well, and we want to finish the regular season strong."

SICKLES GRYPHONS

• Coach: Derrick Gaines
• Record: 5-13 (not counting game on Jan. 23)
• Players To Watch: Brandon Galvin 12.3 ppg, 5.3 rpg., Jose Rodriguez 8 ppg, Channing Pittman 9 ppg.

Roster:

32 Steven Cotton So.,C

15 Brandon Galvin Sr.,F

12 Arnold Hopson Sr.,G

22 Clarence Lake Sr.,F

20 Mike Miner Sr.,G

23 Andre House So., G

14 Channing Pittman Jr.,G

4 Karl Powell Jr.,F

21 Jose Rodriguez Sr.,G

40 Adam Romero Jr.,G

50 John Torrance Sr.,F

3 David Whitaker Jr.,G

33 Phillip Williams Jr.,G

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