Sickles has added 6-foot-9 forward Madden Geiger, a Division I prospect who transferred from Calvary Christian.
Geiger is the son of former NBA center Matt Geiger, who played at Countryside High in Clearwater before a career with the Miami Heat, Charlotte Hornets and Philadelphia 76ers. A member of the class of 2027, Madden Geiger holds offers from Arkansas State and Jacksonville.
Geiger arrived about three weeks ago, as Sickles began preparing for fall league. Coach Mike Weaving said he rebounds, spaces the floor and has made the Gryphons deeper and bigger. Sickles now has three players 6-foot-7 or taller.
“He’s going to be a great addition to our team,” Weaving said. “He’s a great shooter and a great passer. He’s also been a great teammate.”
Geiger wasn’t the only newcomer. Mo Turner moved from Seminole after last season and played with Sickles all summer. “We got lucky he moved, and Madden lives in our district,” Weaving said.
The additions join a program on the way up. Sickles reached the Class 6A state semifinals last season before losing to eventual state champion Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas, its first trip that far since the school won the Class 8A title in 2017.
The Gryphons also return two starters, guard Bob Buccino and forward Adrian Thomas, along with guard Chase Weismiller, who missed most of last season after tearing an ACL last summer and returned for the playoffs. Weismiller averaged 15.5 points as a sophomore. All three have played varsity since their freshman year.
Sickles stayed busy over the summer, winning the Tampa Summer League title at 13-2. The Gryphons beat Tampa Catholic in the semifinals and Tampa Prep in the final, went unbeaten in Florida and topped Notre Dame-West Haven, Connecticut’s top-ranked team. Both losses came at Philly Live, a Philadelphia-area showcase, to Archbishop Wood and Upper St. Clair, the No. 1 teams in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.
Asked whether Sickles can get back to the state semifinals, Weaving did not hesitate.
“Capable for sure,” he said.