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Brandon's Heart And Soul Lies In Sicignano

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By NICK WILLIAMS, The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 26, 2008

Updated: 02/25/2008 11:46 pm

BRANDON - Years from now, people will reminisce about the Brandon boys basketball team's run to the 2008 Class 5A state final four.

They'll talk about Evan Ravenel, the 6-foot-8, 260-pound power forward who went on to play for Boston College and dominated the post. And Blake Allen, the 5-11 sharp-shooting guard who ended his career as one of the highest and most prolific scorers in Hillsborough County history. Some will say the Eagles were nothing without the sheer athleticism of 6-6 forward Marcus Morrison, who went on to play with the University of Tampa, and 6-foot guard Tarron Stewart

Then someone will ask, "Who was the fifth starter on that team?"

The conversation will grow quiet until someone who was there mentions his name with a chuckle.

AJ Sicignano. Yes, Sicignano.

But ask any of the Brandon players or Coach Mark Hermann and they'll all agree that Sicignano, a 5-7, 140-pound senior guard who has averaged 2.0 points a game, is as responsible for the team reaching the final four as any of the other four starters.

Since Hermann moved Sicignano into the starting lineup at midseason, Brandon hasn't lost a game. The Eagles (24-4) play Lakewood (28-2) in the Class 5A state semifinals at 8:30 p.m. Wednesday at The Lakeland Center.

"He's our X-factor," said Allen, who needs only five points to reach 2,000 for his career. "It seems like every time we need a big play, he's there."

"He plays harder than anybody I've ever played with," Ravenel said. "He plays with a lot of heart. He can play one second or 40 minutes and he's going to play his hardest."

Sicignano played junior varsity at Tarpon Springs his freshman year and on Brandon's junior varsity team his sophomore and junior years. He started the current season as the first or second player off the bench. While insignificant playing time would discourage some players, Sicignano patiently waited his turn.

"Hermann gave me a chance," Sicignano said. "I just have to play smart and not make mistakes. I questioned myself at first, but the more I played, the more confident I got."

Hermann knew he needed a hustle-type player like Sicignano for his starting five to be complete.

"There's no quit in him," Hermann said. "He does not take plays off. He guards the other team's best player. He's like a pest."

So far, Sicignano hasn't disappointed Hermann or his teammates.

Against Ridgewood in the regional semifinals, Ravenel saw how invaluable Sicignano was to the team.

"The ball was going out of bounds and he ran all the way from the other side of the 3-point line. He crashed into the water cooler to save the ball," he said. "Then he got right back up and stole the ball again."

With 13 seconds left, Sicignano sank two free throws to seal a 61-57 win.

Sicignano played so well against Land O' Lakes in the regional quarterfinals, Hermann made a special copy of the game film just for him.

"I said, 'Keep this and 10 years from now you'll show it to your kids,'" Hermann said.

Unlike Brandon's other four starters, college basketball is not a likely future for Sicignano, but that doesn't bother him. After this weekend, his playing days may be over, but the memories of making it to Lakeland will remain forever.

"I'm excited and anxious to play," Sicignano said. "It would be awesome to be the first Brandon team to win a state championship."

Reporter Nick Williams can be

reached at (813) 865-4848

or nwilliams@tampatrib.com.

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