Kowboys, Tigers will host playoffs; PHS on the road

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Kowboys, Tigers will host playoffs; PHS on the road

Sports

Thursday, 18 February 2010 00:35

By Rick Pedone
Sports Editor
So, what is Osceola High’s reward for having the school’s best boys basketball season to this point since the 1983 state champions?
How about a date against Lakeland Kathleen (19-7), the Great Florida ShootOut consolation bracket champion, for today’s 5A Region 2 quarterfinal at 7 p.m. at the Kowboys gym?
“They lost to Bartow for the district (6) championship, and some people have Bartow winning Class 5A,” Osceola Coach Steve Mason said.
The Kowboys (22-2) dismantled Lake Wales, 90-64, Saturday for the 5A-5 championship as Brenton Williams (34), J.J. Jackson (30) and Antonio Benitez (14) led the way. Osceola stopped host Sebring in the semifinals, 73-60, as Williams scored 30 and B.J. Butler had 12 rebounds.
Those victories ran Osceola’s record to 14-0 against 5A-5 competition. The Kowboys are No. 4 in the Class 5A state poll.
“Who would have thought that would be possible, especially when you see who we played there. Lake Wales, Winter Haven, Haines City, just those three teams alone have great tradition,” Mason said. “Lake Wales had a 6-5 kid who became eligible this semester who I thought might give us trouble, but we did a great job against him. We just came ready to play Saturday. It was like 24-10 in the first quarter, I couldn’t believe it. This has been an unbelievable season for us.”
It is Osceola’s first district title since 1998-99, when the Kowboys were 27-5 and lost to eventual state champion Gainesville in the regional finals.
“I’ve said that you need three things to be a successful team: A good point guard, and we have that in Michael Sanchez; a scorer, who we have in Brenton, and a rebounder and defender, and that’s B.J.” Mason said. “We wouldn’t be where we are without B.J. He’s one of the smartest basketball kids I’ve seen here.”
Mason said the Kowboys have surpassed his expectations so far.
“This is a tough one against Kathleen. It’s going to be close. But, we’re ready, and it’s on our home floor,” he said.
Two more teams open regional play today.
New Dimensions (13-6) won its first 2A-9 district title with a thrilling 60-57 win at Lakeland Christian Saturday. Jose Vasquez hit a 3-pointer with two seconds remaining to lift the Tigers, who will host Clearwater Calvary Christian today at 7 p.m. Emmanuel Francois scored 17 for New Dimensions to become the school’s all-time leading scorer (1,065 points).
Orlando Vargas had 15 and Vasquez scored 12. Vasquez scored the game-winner on an assist from Vargas.
The Tigers hit 19-of-23 from the free throw line.
“I told the guys all year that (hitting) free throws, limiting turnovers and limiting your opponents to one shot will win games,” Tigers Coach Ryan Adams said. “We have 15 guys on the team, and at the end of practice, we have to hit 11 of 15 free throws to avoid running. Well, we hit 11 of 15 in the fourth quarter”
It was the team’s third win over Lakeland Christian this season.
“Our fans traveled to the game on a student bus and made more noise than their fans did,” Adams said. “It felt like a home game.”
The surprise regional qualifier is Poinciana, who stunned top-seeded and No. 7 Class 4A Eustis, 57-56, in the semifinal round of the 4A-6 tournament at Poinciana Friday.
Sherwood Vinson scored a season-high 28 points to lead the Eagles (8-15).
Coach Jay Lunce said his team was prepared for Eustis.
“I liked the matchup going in,” he said. “We felt like if we were prepared, we had a good chance.”
It is the second straight year the Eagles advanced to the regionals.
Oak Ridge, No. 6 in the state poll, won the district title Saturday by pounding Poinciana, 63-30.
The Eagles travel to Gainesville Eastside (23-4) for today’s regional playoff game. The Rams are No. 4 in the Class 4A state poll.
Eastside defeated Lake Weir for the District 5 title, 61-50, Saturday.
St. Cloud (14-9) was within six of Oak Ridge in the district semifinal game Friday before falling, 63-52. James Boone had 26.
“We just couldn’t get a shot to fall when we needed it,” Bulldogs Coach Tim McMullen said. “But, I enjoyed this season, and I enjoyed coaching these players. We had four overtime games and two two-point games, so we were in just about every game we played. That’s what makes it fun.”
Gateway (17-8) lost to Treasure Coast, 49-44, in the semifinals of the 6A-6 tournament at Vero Beach Friday.
“It was heartbreak hotel. It went down to the last 30 seconds,” Panthers Coach Bob Baker said. “Treasure Coast gave us the window of opportunity, but we didn’t take advantage.”
Winners today advance to the regional semifinal round Tuesday.