By Rick Pedone
Sports Editor

Poinciana missed a layup and then a pair of easy shots under the basket to start Friday’s game at Osceola, setting the tone for a game that quickly went the Kowboys’ way.

Osceola, 11-4, won its fifth in a row and its 10^th in 11 games, 77-51, over the Eagles in a contest that counted in the Orange Belt Conference standings.

Guard Michael Sanchez scored Osceola’s first six points and finished with a game-high 23 and guard Jedarian Jackson scored 19, many coming on acrobatic moves to the basket. Antonio Benitez added 10 for the Kowboys, who improved to 4-0 in the conference.

Osceola, which downed St. Cloud Wednesday, turned seven steals into baskets as it built a 40-19 halftime advantage.

“The guys played well. They were feeling a little disrespected after we started 1-3. They played with a chip on their shoulder for the first time this year,” OHS Coach Steve Mason said.

Poinciana’s Osanto Marc had 19, but he got little help until Stefan Moody scored 13 of his 16 points in the second half, after the outcome had been determined.

Poinciana Coach Jay Lunce, who saw his team slip to 10-4, said there was nothing he could say after watching his team absorb its worst loss of the season.

“After that game, no comment,” he said.

Mason said OHS worked on neutralizing Moody, an explosive scorer.

“In practice, we had one guy just work on chasing the ball. I scouted Poinciana a few times because they are good, and the key is to stop Moody,” he said. “We did a good job of doing that tonight.”