OHS girls earn OBC hoops title

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OHS girls earn OBC hoops title

Sports

Thursday, 14 January 2010 03:01

By Ken Jackson
Sports Writer
Osceola claimed its fourth Orange Belt Conference title Friday by completing its third straight undefeated OBC slate with a 51-41 win at Harmony.
The Kowgirls (15-7) got a strong effort from senior center Sarah DiLeonardo (23 points, 10 rebounds). Sophomore Chanel Chillers added 10 points.
OHS Coach Barner Cooks said that his team played solid for 32 minutes, fixing — at least temporarily — a fourth-quarter malaise that’s come and gone this season.
“We played a pretty good game, the kids went in motivated,” he said. “It was a competitive game, and I was happy with how we played. Of course, I wasn’t comfortable until the final buzzer.”
DiLeonardo has been a constant all year in the post, and shooting guard Constance Uzzle’s oustide shot has heated up of late, Cooks said, but Chillers has elevated her game from a role player to a starter.
“I started the year bringing her off the bench for an offensive spark, but she creates mismatches problems to defend her, and she’s become our second scoring option,” he said. “I wanted to have that offensive punch early in the game.”
The Kowgirls’ run in District 5A-5 has been tougher. They are 4-5 after a 58-41 loss at Haines City on Monday, despite not giving up a single fourth-quarter field goal.
It was the start of a crucial stretch of district games for Osceola, which plays at Sebring Friday and hosts Ridge and Lake Wales Tuesday and Jan. 22.
Cooks wants to avoid meeting undefeated Winter Haven in the district tournament semifinals. The Kowgirls led the Blue Devils in their latest matchup by four points with four minutes left Jan. 5 before the Blue Devils went 10-for-10 from the free throw line to pedal past the Kowgirls, 70-62.
“These are must-wins if we’re going to get the No. 2 or 3 seed,” he said. “Winter Haven is the best in our district.”
Harmony (8-6) was led by Leah Smith’s 10 points on Friday. The Longhorns host Poinciana today at 7:30 p.m.
Gateway has fought off an 0-4 start and is now 9-8 after a 46-39 District 6A-6 win over Palm Bay Bayside Tuesday, the Panthers’ first district victory in four years.
In the Florida Christian Conference, Heritage Christian is 8-3 after a 33-14 win over Northridge Friday. Guard Arissa Agnant had 25 points.