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Record-Breaking Season Comes To An End For Sickles

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By GREGG BECNEL, Tribune correspondent

Published: February 13, 2008

TAMPA - Sickles' record-breaking girls basketball season ended a few games earlier than it hoped, but the Gryphons went down fighting and with their heads held high.

Sickles nearly erased a double-digit deficit, but fell just short in losing 61-58 against Sarasota Riverview in a Class 6A-Region 2 semifinal on Tuesday.

The Gryphons, who went into the game with a 13-game winning streak, ended their season with a school-best record of 25-3.

"I told the girls after the game this is still a great season. This loss won't change that," Sickles coach Mark Key said. "I loved the fight they showed until the very end. It's certainly disappointing to end like this, but overall we've had a great season. And I wanted them to know that."

The Gryphons trailed 38-26 early in the second half before senior Shawnta Snakovsky ignited a15-4 run to get within 42-41 with 2:31 left in the third quarter.

Snakovsky, who finished with a team-high 20 points (three 3-pointers), scored eight during Sickles' rally.

"We knew we couldn't relax when we had the lead," Riverview coach B.J. Ivey said. "Sickles is an explosive team. We knew they could put up points quick. They nailed some 3s and got back in it. Their 3-point shooting was a great equalizer for them."

For the game, Sickles made eight 3-pointers.

The Gryphons never could take the lead, however, and Riverview eventually increased its advantage to 57-50 with just under two minutes remaining.

"You have to give Sarasota Riverview credit," Key said. "Every time they needed an answer, they found it. We got close, but we never got the stop we needed."

Sickles again fought back, getting within 57-55 on Katie MacKenzie's 3-pointer with 43 seconds remaining. The Gryphons had a chance to tie or take the lead on their next possession, but turned the ball over on a traveling violation.

The Rams (25-3) made five free throws in the final seconds to secure the win.

Riverview's Rachel Harrison had her way in the paint, scoring 15 of her 21 points in the first half.

"We think she's the best player we've faced this season," Key said.

With Harrison in foul trouble in the second half, Shannon Washington picked up the slack, scoring 16 of her game-high 23 after halftime.

Britany Nunes finished with 13 points for Sickles.

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