By Rick Pedone
Sports Editor

After building momentum at the Great Florida Shootout, Osceola welcomes Poinciana Friday at 7:30 p.m. in a game that may determine the Orange Belt Conference boys basketball champion.

The Kowboys won the Shootout consolation championship last week, 69-65, over Lexington, S.C. High, a state runner-up last season.

After a 68-63 first-round loss to eventual Shootout champion Bishop McNamara of Maryland, the Kowboys beat Fort Myers Bishop Verot, Oviedo and Lexington.

Bishop McNamara (11-1) beat Lake Highland Prep, 59-50, Thursday to claim the 30th Shootout championship. Tournament MVP Marcus Thornton led the winners with 19 points.

OHS Coach Steve Mason said the Kowboys showed improvement at the Shootout.

“I think the guys learned that they can play tough and win in the fourth quarter against good teams,” Mason said. “I’m very happy with the Shootout.”

Down 32-26 against Lexington at the half, the Kowboys won it in the fourth quarter, outscoring Lexington 20-12.

OHS was led by guards Michael Sanchez (27 points) and Jedarian Jackson (24). Sanchez, an all-tournament selection, averaged 23 points over four tournament games and Jackson averaged 20.

Poinciana, although it lost two of three at the Shootout, finished strong by beating defending Class 4A state champion Fort Myers in a consolation game.

Stefan Moody (24) led a balanced Eagles offense that also got double-figure scoring from Lex Curry (14), Osanto Marc (13) and Sherwood Vinson (11).

The Eagles, 10-3, lost to Hoover, Calif., one of the pre-tournament favorites, and Lexington during the first two days of the Shootout.

“We played a lot better in the last game versus Fort Myers,” Lunce said. “Had we played like that versus Lexington, we would have played Osceola in the consolation championship game.”

Friday’s game is this season’s only meeting between Poinciana and Osceola, who play in different districts.

“It’s going to be pretty interesting. My concern as always is their size compared to ours. I anticipate the intensity level will be very high for both teams,” Lunce said.

Mason said Lunce has a good collection of talent.

“It’s the best Poinciana team I’ve seen in years,” he said. “They are extremely explosive on offense and are never out of a game because they shoot the three so well,” he said. “We will have to play very well to win. It will be a fun game to watch if you are a fan.”

Osceola played St. Cloud Wednesday in another OBC contest. The Bulldogs finished third at the Viera holiday tournament last week after beating Lincoln Park, 65-52. The Bulldogs had four players in double figures: Zack Hull (14), James Demetrius (13), Jens Soto (13) and Louis Torres (12).

Gateway improved to 8-7 over the holiday break after winning two of three at the First Academy Christmas tournament. The Panthers beat Orangewood Christian and Atlanta Fellowship Christian. Eric Marino was named to the all-tournament team. The Panthers defeated Celebration, 40-32 on Tuesday.

Harmony, 4-5, begins a two-week stretch of 4A District 7 and OBC games Saturday when it visits St. Cloud at 7 p.m. and then hosts district favorite Eustis Monday at 7 p.m. Osceola visits Harmony next Thursday.

“The kids are really working hard. The next two weeks are very big,” Smith said.

Celebration, 6-8, returned from the Sweet Sixteen Christmas tournament in South Carolina where guard Mark Pearson averaged 20 points.

The Storm embark on stretch of six straight road games Friday when they visit New Dimensions at 7:30 p.m. After a trip to Windermere Prep Saturday the Storm play district games at Poinciana Monday and St. Cloud Thursday, both at 7 p.m.

New Dimensions is 5-7 and 1-1 in the district 2A-9. The Tigers face district foes Santa Fe and Lakeland Christian next week.

“The rest of our schedule is full of tough games, so we have no easy wins. Everything will have to be earned,” Coach Dustin Gassert said. “I feel our guys will be well prepared for the district tournament and our run at the state championship.”

Heritage Christian is the county’s only unbeaten team at 12-0 as Maynard Rowe (30 points per game) and Josh Newman (27 points) form the county’s highest-scoring tandem.

The Eagles beat Landmark Christian, 84-62, to take control of the Florida Christian Conference East Division standings.

Coach Jim Estrella said his seven-man rotation is working well.

“I was talking to the team, telling them what they needed to do against an upcoming opponent, and Maynard said, ‘Coach, it’ doesn’t matter, we’re ready,’” Estrella said. “I think that shows the level of confidence that the kids have in what we’re doing.”

The Eagles host Haven Christian Friday at 7:30 p.m.

Life Christian Academy has roared to an 11-4 start, 5-0 in district A-7, and travels to local rival City of Life Academy Friday at 6 p.m. for a district contest.

Coach Kevin Hosford’s Lions won one game at the First Academy tournament as sophomore Jorge Rosa earned a spot on the all-tournament team. Senior Allen Verger and sophomores Andre Waterhouse and Luis Torres have contributed to the Lions’ strong performance, Hosford said.

The Lions play Vanguard Christian Tuesday for a potential top seed at the district tournament. Hosford is pitting his team against strong competition to prepare for the post-season.

“We have a big matchup late in the season against Faith Christian (Orlando), which is 14-1 and recently won the adidas tournament in Miami,” he said.

Liberty will host Winter Haven today at 7:30 p.m. for a district 5A-5 contest.