Kowboys learn a lesson from high-powered DP

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Kowboys learn a lesson from high-powered DP

Sports

Friday, 30 November 2012 15:46

By J. Daniel Pearson
For the News-Gazette
The learning curve continues for Osceola High School’s boys basketball team. Playing their fourth consecutive Orlando Metro Conference school of the season, the Kowboys dropped a 91-57 decision to Dr. Phillips at Osceola Gymnasium on Tuesday. “That was a pretty good basketball team we played,” Osceola Head Coach Nate Alexander said. “I would be surprised if they didn’t make a strong run in the state playoffs. But this game was part of our overall plan for this season. We know our district schedule is going to be tough, so I loaded our early schedule up with some outstanding opponents. You always can learn more about yourself from a loss than a win.”
The first quarter pretty much sealed Osceola’s fate. Dr. Phillips used a pressing defense to force early turnovers and grab a 7-0 lead and stretched the advantage to 16 through the rest of the period to take a 22-6 lead.
“They are an extremely athletic team and when they get their transition game running, everything else flows from there,” Alexander said. “They forced turnovers, got second and third chances off the glass and just dominated the first quarter.”
Osceola played better in the second quarter. Getting eight points from Alain Allard and five from Cortez Edwards, the Kowboys outscored the Panthers 21-19 in the second period to cut the halftime deficit to 41-27.
Alex Forde scored eight points in the third and Treshaun Perry added six as the Kowboys outscored the opponents 18-17 in the third to make it a 13-point game at 58-45. During the quarter, Osceola got within 10 points twice but Dr. Phillips answered with a pair of mini-runs to take back control of the game.
The fourth quarter was all Panthers. Dr. Phillips went on a 20-7 run before both coaches emptied their benches with two minutes remaining.
“One thing we need to learn as we move into district play is that we have to stay mentally tough against good teams.” Alexander said. “We were able to play with them during the middle of the game but when we took our foot off the gas for just a minute, they jumped all over us.”
Osceola got 14 points each from Alex Forde and Allard; while Perry added 11.
“I thought Alain (Allard) had a nice game for us and that our bench players did some good work,” Alexander added. “Our players are working hard and hopefully that will start translating into wins.”
Osceola fell to 0-4 against teams that are a combined 12-2 so far this season.
The Kowboys host Celebration Tuesday at 7:45 p.m. for an Orange Belt Conference game.
Alexander said his team ultimately may benefit from the loss to Dr. Phillips.
“I always tell them if you want to be the best, you have to beat the best. There definitely is a different intensity at practice now,” he said.
Celebration improved to 2-0 Thursday with a 65-36 win over New Dimensions. Johnny Victor and Romelo Banks each had 10 for the Storm.
Heritage Christian stepped up to 4-1 with a 69-30 win over Calvary Christian as Dominic Maldonado had 34.
City of Life stopped Brevard Christian, 61-28, as Daniel Villa had 17 and David Villa and Carlos Morales added 11.
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