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With tough non-district games behind them, the Gryphons seek to make most of a transition year.
By ROD GIPSON
© St. Petersburg Times, published January 12, 2001
CITRUS PARK -- Derrick Gaines says don't let his team's record fool you.
Although the Sickles Gryphons boys started the new year with only three wins in their first 11 games, Gaines thinks they're poised to make some noise in the second half of the year.
Sickles has already won two district matchups and most of its tough non-district games are out of the way. The Gryphons played tough in losses to Jefferson, Wharton and Tampa Bay Tech and could gain a higher seeding by the time the district tournament rolls around.
"There is a lot of parity in our district," Gaines said of Class 6A-7. "Gaither is the leader of the pack but we think we're right in there. We feel we are in a pretty good position."
In a transition year for the Gryphons, Gaines has just one returning starter, with two sophomores contributing heavily. Guard Mike Stewart is the lone senior starter but sophomores Carl Powell and Channing Pittman have been the offensive catalysts.
"Carl and Channing have played well for us," Gaines said. "They've given a good effort. Now we just need to score more points."
They'll get a chance Saturday against Wharton. Powell and Pittman have combined to score 18 points a game for the Gryphons, who have beaten Hillsborough twice for its district victories. With upcoming contests with Gaither, Durant and Bloomingdale, Sickles' offense needs to find itself before Gaines and company can grab a favorable district seed.
"We have a lot of guys who haven't played much for us," said Gaines, who led his team to a 14-11 record and a region semifinal berth last year.
"We have a lot of talent. About as much as anybody else. That's why we like our chances."
Record: 3-8 entering tonight's game v. Bloomingdale.
Coach: Derrick Gaines
Players to Watch: Carl Powell, 12 ppg; Channing Pittman, 6 points, 5 assists per game.
22 Mike Alpaugh, Sr., F
32 Steven Cotton, Fr., G
15 Chris Polakowski, Jr., G
4 Carl Powell, So., F
14 Channing Pittman, So., G
50 Mike Stewart, Sr., G
3 Jerry Thornberry, Sr., C
5 Ron Prelow, So., F
21 Jose Rodriguez, Jr., G
00 Jesse Schuester, Sr., F