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Sickles Rolls Past Middleton

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By MIKE FRANZ

Tribune correspondent

Published: January 27, 2009

TAMPA - Sickles used a hustling defense to shut down Middleton, 51-16, in a girls basketball game Monday night.

The Gryphons (18-5) used strong defense and half-court traps to dominate the first quarter. Middleton did not score until Whitney Dunbar connected with 40 seconds remaining in the period.

Middleton shot 24 percent from the field, and the Gryphons' trapping defense led to 20 turnovers on the night.

"We did a good job of playing defense," Sickles coach Mark Key said. "We didn't finish some plays, but overall the defense was very good tonight."

Sophomore forward Amber Henson scored 13 points and added 12 rebounds to lead the Gryphons. She played all but five minutes of the game.

The versatile Henson scored in transition, in the post and even made some midrange shots.

"She was off with her shot, but kept going hard at the basket," Key said. "She did the little things, what she's done all year for us."

Even though the game was a mismatch from the opening whistle, Middleton played hard on defense all night and forced 11 turnovers.

Despite the large margin of victory, Key stressed the importance of fundamentals in every situation.

"You keep doing the right things. Sometimes we get way ahead and we don't do the little-bitty things that we need to do and let the other guys back in," Key said.

Sickles' Rachael Smith also had a strong outing, finishing with 11 points and two blocked shots.

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