For the Folsom girls, a playoff berth might come down to making layups and free throws. Or missing them.

The Lady Bulldogs (2-5, 13-11) have had their difficulties making both this season, so much so that coach Beecher Sykes felt it has cost his team a victory or two. At the very least, it’s kept the team from being more competitive at times. That was the case in both the team’s games last week, both losses to Florin, 39-33 and St. Francis, 53-30.

“We came out to pressure them early, but it was our worst shooting night,” Sykes said of the loss to Florin. “Again it was a case of we couldn’t make layups and we couldn’t make free throws. We missed 15 free throws and 27 shots within two feet of the basket. We had seven possessions down by one and missed all of our layups and free throws. Down by three heading into the fourth quarter we just could not get over the hump. It’s frustrating getting a play going and then not capitalizing.

“We do great and then get on the free throw line and miss. We do great screens and cuts, but then miss layups. It gets to the point where now it’s completely mental and you know you’re going to miss.”

Folsom played St. Francis tough on Friday before the Troubadours distanced themselves in the fourth quarter.

“In the fourth quarter we missed some key layups, which hurt,” Sykes said.

This week Folsom faces both Monterey Trail and Pleasant Grove on the road on Tuesday and Friday, respectively. The team finishes the regular season at home against Sheldon on February 19. Sykes wants to have a playoff berth secured before the regular-season finale, which means the team likely has to beat both Monterey Trial and Pleasant Grove to make the playoffs.

“I don’t want our season and our playoffs to depend upon if we can beat Sheldon,” Sykes said. “On Senior Night there’s going to be a lot of emotion and I don’t want to come down to that last game. We can beat Pleasant Grove and Monterey Trail to guarantee a spot. I just don’t want it to come down to that game because that will be a tough night.”

Sykes feels his team is capable of beating both teams.

“We can beat Monterey Trial if we just stick to the game plan. We want to make them shoot outside and play good man defense against them, don’t let them penetrate because they’re very quick. We just have to stay composed like we did against St. Francis and not turn the ball over in their press. As long as we can keep the pace we want and make our layups we’ll be fine.

“Against Pleasant Grove we have to make sure we stop their point guard. She scored 22 against us last time. If we can control her and rebound we’ll be fine. We have a lot of confidence coming out of this game (St. Francis).”