Tampa Bay was guaranteed a local team in the 8A State Championship game, no matter what happened between Sickles and Lakewood Ranch in the semifinals Friday afternoon.
But in one of the tightest contests of the week, it was Sickles (28-4) who edged out Lakewood Ranch at the Lakeland Center, 54-49.
After a highly contested first half, the scoreboard read 21-20 in favor of Sickles at the break.
There was no breathing room in the final 16 minutes as neither team could create any separation down the stretch.
The score was tied at 38 with six minutes to play as Gryphons Denari Garrett finished down the lane and gave his team the advantage.
Two possessions later, the Mustangs got it back. Devin Twenty turned a steal into a layup and Lakewood Ranch (27-3) was up 42-40.
The lead changed 14 times and the game came down to the final minute of play. The dagger came when Sickles big man Bryce Workman powered up and converted an and-one that gave his team a 50-47 lead. The Gryphons would hold on from there.
Until Sickles, Lakewood Ranch had not dropped a game to an in-state opponent all year.
Sickles will meet Lincoln in the 8A State Championship Saturday at 5:30 pm. If they win, they will be the first public school from Hillsborough County to win a title since 1982.