Sickles crumbles in fourth at Tampa Hoops Classic

TAMPA — Like any coach, Sickles' Renaldo Garcia hates to lose. But after watching his team fall to Winter Springs 78-73 on Friday night in the first round of the Tampa Hoops Classic, Garcia wasn't in a foul mood.

Quite the opposite, in fact.

That's because he thinks the defeat will serve as a learning experience.

"This is the time of year you want this medicine," Garcia said.

The Gryphons (9-3) certainly got a spoonful.

Ahead by eight midway through the fourth quarter, Sickles appeared to be well on its way to victory. But Winter Springs (8-2) simply wouldn't go away. Instead, the Bears turned their intensity up a notch, particularly on defense, and literally stole one.

"We tried to wear them down throughout the game, then press them in the fourth quarter," Winter Springs coach Travis Jones said.

The plan worked. To perfection.

The Bears' press caused Sickles to rush, and that led to several turnovers, which Winter Springs more often than not converted into points. Once, it was 59-51 in favor of Sickles. Before long, it was tied. Soon Winter Springs led.

And finally, after a 20-4 run, the Bears found themselves in command entering the final minute of play.

"That was a team that has been there before," Sickles forward John Henson said. "Our team has not been there."

Henson certainly did his part.

The heralded North Carolina recruit produced 28 points, 15 rebounds and six blocks — all game highs. But he failed to score in the final 3:25 and missed four foul shots down the stretch, which proved costly.

"It's a tough loss," Henson said. "We had them for three out of four quarters."

Point guard Jordan Davis added 15 points for Sickles. Winter Springs got 27 from forward Luis Jacobo and 21 from sharp-shooting guard Austin Keel, who made five of the team's 10 3-pointers.

Sickles outshot Winter Springs (54.4 to 42.3 percent) and outrebounded the Bears (36-24). But 14 Gryphon turnovers, many of which occurred in the final quarter, may have been the difference.

"We thought we could handle their press a little better," Garcia said.

Only one area team advanced into the winner's bracket Friday: Clearwater. The Tornadoes used a strong surge at the end to down Leonardtown (Md.) St. Mary's Ryken 74-65.

Clearwater (9-0) next plays Orlando Olympia, which defeated Berkeley Prep 69-64, at 7:15 tonight at Plant. The Tornadoes have not won this season by fewer than eight points.

Keith Niebuhr can be reached at kniebuhr@sptimes.com or at (813) 226-3458.