Lakewood Ranch Boys Head to Regional Playoffs Tonight

The Lakewood Ranch Mustangs don't have much business being in the 2012 regional basketball playoffs.

Their (9-19, 1-3 Class 6A, District 12) record is not something you typically see in regional playoff action. However, the Mustangs won the most important game up to this point in the season on February 1 when they edged out Osceola(Seminole) in a 60-55 victory. That district semifinal win was enough to vault Lakewood Ranch into the playoffs.

They face a team on the opposite side of the spectrum in Sickles.

The Gryphons (21-6, 10-0 Class 6A, District 11) blasted through their district undefeated and despite getting pushed to the limit in the district final, defeating Strawberry Crest 38-37 to claim the district crown. It will be interesting to see how the Gryphons deal with the injury to junior guard Daniel Harris. Harris suffered a nasty leg injury in the 53-45 win over King in the district semifinal. The Gryphons almost let the Lions back in the game, then could barely edge out Strawberry Crest in the final.

"These kids have been around it long enough to know it's a game-by-game situation at this point," said Gryphon head coach Renaldo Garcia.

IF YOU GO:

What: The Lakewood Ranch Mustangs vs. The Sickles Gryphons in boys regional quarterfinals.

Where: Sickles High School, 7950 Gunn Highway - Tampa , FL 33629

When: Tonight! 7pm.