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Friday, 25 November 2011 13:53

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News-Gazette Photo/Andrew Sullivan

Poinciana’s Geraldine Navarro (21) breaks down the court as Osceola’s Janaye Johnson (1) and Montana Bass (3) defend during their game last week. Osceola won, 83-73, but both teams are favored to advance from 7A District 5 into the regional playoffs this season.

Kowgirls, Eagles in district, OBC race
By Rick Pedone
Sports Editor
Poinciana and Osceola should be the class of Osceola County girls basketball this season and will duel for the 7A-5 district championship.


But, Harmony is a serious challenger for the Orange Belt Conference championship. St. Cloud will contest the Longhorns for the 7A-6 title along with Celebration and Oak Ridge.
Poinciana is the defending OBC champion.
Poinciana
The Lady Eagles, 23-3, won their first district championship in 12 years last season but saw a promising playoff run end early when Gainesville Eastside won the regional final.
With a loaded roster returning that includes 5-8 Iona University signee Kadesia Johnson, junior 5-10 guard Brandii Walker, 6-1 center Tralonnie Tisdale and 5-5 guard Geraldine Navarro, the Eagles are a team that may go far in the postseason.
Johnson and Walker averaged a combined 33 points last season and should be explosive again.
“Hopefully we can improve on what we did last year and take another step,” Coach Jamerson Jones, the county’s Coach of the Year in 2009-10, said.
Add to the mix sophomore forward Gabrielle Durant and freshman guard Alexis Darisaw, and Jones likes the team’s potential.
“Osceola is going to be strong again. It will be interesting to see how well we do in the new district,” Jones, in his 11th season, said. “It will come down to who limits the turnovers, who makes the lay-ups when they need to.”
Osceola
Coach Barner Cooks saw his team take the lead in the district after an exciting 83-73 win over Poinciana during the first week of the season, but he said that his team still will be challenged for the district and conference titles.
“Poinciana’s a good team, and I wouldn’t look past Harmony. They will have their best team ever,” Cooks said. “It definitely is an advantage to win the first one against Poinciana. I like our depth, I think that gives us an edge.”
Returning is sophomore guard Montana Bass, who scored 27 against Poinciana, and senior Chanel Chillers, a forward and a team leader in scoring (12.5) and rebounds (10.5) last season.
Senior Iyanna Pryce and junior Jasmine Ramos will contribute at guard and forward, and senior Janaye Johnson, a transfer from Cypress Creek, will play guard and gives Osceola another excellent scorer. She had 22 against Poinciana before fouling out.
Harmony
Coach Paul Strauch will benefit from some of the talent of the school’s excellent volleyball team for basketball.
Talented Marie Gilbert (5-10) and Nia Frederick (6-1) join the basketball squad after helping the volleyball team reach the state tournament.
“We will be OK. We return eight girls from last year,” Strauch said. “We play a tough schedule with Lake Highland Prep, Bishop Moore, Melbourne Central Catholic and Lakeland Kathleen.”
The juniors include Jodi Nestle and Katlyn Sparks, both strong in the post.
Julia Ingler, Rebekah Fitzpatrick, Ragen Dotson and Steph Daur all are sophomores with experience.
“They are a year older and ready to play big minutes,” Strauch said.
Alex Latta, Lauren Bishop and Allison Van Tassel also will contribute.
Strauch said 7A-6 will be competitive as St. Cloud, Celebration and oak Ridge all will be improved.
“St. Cloud should be good. They have a lot of seniors and three good freshmen. Celebration has Gabby Ortiz returning and Oak Ridge has a new coach and is much improved,” Strauch said.
The Horns will challenge Poinciana and Osceola for the conference title.
“Osceola added a couple of girls to an already strong group, and Poinciana did not lose anyone from a team that won districts,” he said.
Liberty
Coach Ramses Kelly leads the Chargers, who are a young team that may have three freshmen on the varsity, Kelly said.
Top players include seniors Kelila Naules and Kadijah Brown, juniors Cassandra Tabules and Amy Williams, and sophomores Alex Arnoux and Tara Rosemond.
Gateway
Coach Steve Robertson’s roster includes senior Maya Nelson and juniors Tiffany Charneco, Jamie Olivo, Jaleisha Peterman and Ashley Collazo.
Robertson said Poinciana and Osceola provide strong competition within the district, but his team is capable of playing with them.
“It depends on the night. Last season we played Poinciana really tough at home, but lost badly on the road. Same with Osceola, they beat us by almost 30 points at their place, and then in the Christmas tournament we beat them,” he said.
St. Cloud
Coach Chad Ansbaugh pulled double duty early in the season, leading both the football team and the girls basketball squad.
Fortunately, assistant coach Jen Clarke helped him hold things together as the Lady Bulldogs seek to improve on last year’s 7-18 mark.
“It’s hectic, but I really enjoy working with the team. It’s a lot of fun,” Ansbaugh said. “We’re getting a few players back from last year and I think we can be better.”
Guards Alyssa Mediavilla and Nohemy Aguila are back. They averaged a combined 18 points last season.
Also returning are senior Jennifer Fullwood, junior Sarah Sullivan and senior Anaya Reid, a cross country runner.
Newcomers include sophomore Kirsten Chambers and freshmen Astaja Tyghter and Yarilis Hernandez.
Also on the roster are Megan Pinkerton, Tatiana Eastman and Miggy Sosa. Seashell Sanchez and Jennifer Santiago also will join the varsity, Ansbaugh said.
Life Christian
Coach Ron Drye leads the Lady Lions.
Among the team’s best players, he said, is Kimberely Lopez and Malena Henry.
The team competes in 2A-6 against City of  Life Academy, Brevard Christian, Melbourne Community Christian. Palm Bay Covenant Christian and Merritt Island Christian.
City of Life
Coach Rob Gorski leads the Lady Lions into 2A-6 district competition.
Team members include seniors Chelsea Glidden, Kailee Pham, Bianca Travelute and Julianna Vianna.
The juniors are Hadassah Camacho, Kareen padilla and Abigal Robinson.
Sophomores are Kelly Almonte, Azia Constance, Maya Dodd, Brooke High, Janina Lebron and Hannah McNeil. Kaylin LeFountain and Tiffany Travelute are freshmen.
Heritage Christian
Coach Butch Wike welcomes eight returnees from last season’s squad, which reached the second round of the Florida Christian Conference playoffs.
“I’m optimistic because all five of our starters from last year are back. We lost only one senior to graduation,” Wike said.
The team is off to a 2-0 start in the conference, further fueling Wike’s optimisim.
Returning are Bethy Jarrell, Abby Diauto, Maria Escobar, Camila Bello, Megan Lima, Katherine Ortiz, Katie Kleinhans and Christina Birk.
Joining Jarrell, Diauto, Escobar and Bello in the starting lineup is newcomer Gabby Collazo.
Other newcomers are Kyrchia Rodriguez, Ana Ortiz and Syanne Rowe.
Wike said the Lady Eagles have adapted well to a new offense, and will scramble after loose balls.
“Our boys coach, Jimmy Estrella, said that he would be afraid to have his boys play defense against us because we’re always diving for the ball,” Wike said. “They all play hard.”
New Dimensions
The Tigers compete in 3A-7 against Lakeland Christian, Fort Meade, Lakeland McKeel and Lakeland Santa Fe under Coach Amanda Hirschauer.
Senior Jesse Maldonado will play for the Lady Tigers.
Celebration
Coach Robert Mouchet leads the Storm.
The roster includes Karisma Colon, Bethany Larthe, Teesha Montoya, Kali Mutty, Naduah Ortiz, Christina Ricci, Isamar Romero, Samtntha, Romero, Camila Santos, Sarah Stellwag and Geradar Victor.

 
 

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