By Rick Pedone
Sports Editor

First-year New Dimensions Coach Dustin Gassert got a rewarding lift from his team last week when the Tigers won a pair of games after Gassert’s father (Daniel L. Gassert) passed away Jan. 4.

The Tigers, 7-8, beat Life Christian Academy, 65-60, on the same day that their coach lost his father, then they won an important 2A District 9 contest at Lakeland Christian Saturday, 49-47.

New Dimensions played district foe Lakeland Santa Fe Friday. The Tigers had a chance to clinch the No. 1 seed at next month’s three-team district tournament and an automatic berth in the regionals.

“I was about to call and cancel (the Life Academy) game, but then I thought my dad would be mad at me if I didn’t coach that game, so I did,” Gassert said. “We got a very emotional win. It made for a great night.”

Gassert rescheduled a game against Celebration that was postponed Jan. 7. The teams will play at New Dimensions Jan. 28 at 7:30 p.m.

Osceola, 13-4, won its fifth in a row over Harmony Thursday, 81-64, as Antonio Benitez scored 24 and Michael Sanchez added 23. The Kowboys clinched the Orange Belt Conference championship at  5-0 with one game remaining against Celebration Jan. 22. Osceola beat its nearest OBC challenger, Poinciana, 77-51, Jan. 7 as Sanchez scored 23 and J.J. Jackson added 20.

Osceola stood 6-1 in 5A District 5 after beating Davenport Ridge Community, 54-47, Tuesday. Benitez led OHS with 21 points.

The Kowboys played district foe Haines City Friday, and on Monday they travel to district leader Lake Wales, which beat OHS in December.

Poinciana, 11-6, slipped for the first time in 4A District 6 Thursday against Eustis, 48-41. The Eagles were led by Lex Curry, who had 13.The Eagles play the Community School of Naples today at the Wally Keller Classic at Charlotte High.

St. Cloud, 8-9, won for the third time in four games Thursday against Celebration, 61-38, in an Orange Belt Conference and 4A-6 contest.

Zack Hull had 17 and Jamal Demetrius had 14 points and 11 rebounds for the Bulldogs. St. Cloud beat Tavares Monday, 58-52, in a district game that saw Demetrius score 20.

Celebration has been hampered by illnesses and injuries, including the recent loss of the team’s leading scorer, Mark Pearson, Coach Jeff Bean said.

Gateway, another team that has dealt with a rash of injuries and the flu, remains in contention for the top seed in 6A District 6. The Panthers, 8-9, are finally getting healthy, Coach Bob Baker said.

“I have had a complete team only a couple of games all year. Maybe we are finally healthy,” he said. “I’m hoping this is a sign that we have a shot at going to a regional.”

The Panthers met district foe St. Lucie Centennial Friday. The Panthers host Colonial Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. for a non-district contest.

Gateway, which lost to Palm Bay Bayside in its district opener Jan. 7, has district games remaining Friday at St. Lucie Treasure Coast and Jan. 28 at home against defending champion Vero Beach.