Sickles in a playoff state of mind

Posted Oct 6, 2009 by Katherine Smith

Updated Oct 6, 2009 at 03:55 PM

Sickles is treating Friday night’s district game against Boca Ciega like a playoff game.

Win and the Gryphons’ postseason hopes remain alive. Lose, and the season, or more specifically any chance at the playoffs, is all but done.

After losing a close one to Largo in their first district game of the season, Sickles realizes to secure a playoff spot they’ve got to win out.

“We’ve told them this is it,” Sickles coach Pat O’Brien said. “This is a playoff game and it has that atmosphere to it. Because if you don’t win it, it’s just like the playoffs, you’re done and you won’t get to go to the playoffs. These kids have set some goals for themselves about postseason play.

“It’s sad that it could be over that quick and that early if we don’t win Friday night.”

Sickles (4-1) made the playoffs for the first time in school history in 2007. O’Brien remembers the electric energy that permeated the school. A win Friday night would be another step in getting to the playoffs again, but would also bring another first to the school.

“We’ve never been 5-1,” O’Brien said. “So we’re throwing that out at the kids. We’re really pushing that as well.”