Over the past couple of seasons, Gateway’s basketball team has accomplished a lot—20-win seasons, district championships, a regional championship and a trip to the State Final Four are on the Panthers resume.
What’s missing for the Class 5A school? An Orange Belt Conference championship— something St. Cloud (a 7A school) has won the last six years.
And although it is not high up on the list of goals for Gateway Coach Justin Marino, it is something he would like to add to the school’s accomplishments.
“At the end of the day our major concerns are winning district and regional championships in our class,” the veteran coach said. “But yes, the OBC’s are something we would like to win.”
While the OBC tournament will be contested Jan. 21-24, Gateway and the rest of the county schools have two months of regular season basketball to contend with.
On paper, the Panthers look to challenge and possibly unseat St. Cloud as Osceola’s top team. Marino has two top players returning off of last year’s 18-7 team including point guard Alyssa Marino (14.3 ppg, 6.3 apg last year) and forward Evana Rivera (7.4 ppg, 11.1 rpg). But what really has Marino encouraged is the addition of five talented freshman, including Ashlynn Day, who has averaged 24 points and 10 rebounds per contest as the Panthers have gotten off to a 2-1 start entering this week.
Last week, Gateway used a pressing defense to build a huge lead against Harmony in the first half—triggering a running clock in a 69-26 win in their season opener. The other victory was a 67-4 win over Rockledge; while the loss was a five-point setback to undefeated 6A Lake Howell.
“We’re a young team, and we may lack some height, but I am convinced this is the fastest, most athletic team I’ve had since I’ve been here,” Marino said. “Obviously it is early in the season we have a long way to go.”
The coach added that the height differential with some teams is not a major concern.
“We played some taller, more physical teams this summer that tried to pound the ball inside on us. We were able to make adjustments and deal with that.” One person who understands that Gateway may challenge for the OBC crown is Chad Ansbaugh, coach of the Bulldogs.
“From what I have seen, Justin has a really athletic team this year. With a lot of new players on our team, they would be favored if we played tomorrow. But right now, we’re not worried about anything other than ourselves and trying to get better each day.”
St. Cloud and Ansbaugh have found success of their own in each of the last three years, going a combined 63-18, winning two district crowns and making a regional final. And while the Lady Bulldogs graduated seven seniors, including stalwarts Haley Collins, Danigzy Mantilla and News-Gazette Player of the Year Emily Lockey, Ansbaugh refuses to call this a rebuilding year.
“I hate that term because it’s like you are giving yourself an excuse. Traditionally we have built our teams through our junior varsity program. We have good coaches and players at that level and we expect them to move up and fill the roles of the graduated players.”
St. Cloud’s three seniors, guards Vanessa Vohs and Ariana Viera and forward Savannah Kroener will provide that leadership this season.
“Savannah was a starter last year, but all of them came up through our junior varsity program and have patiently waited their turn to start. We may not quite have as much talent as we did last year, but we have some good young players and it is my job to develop them.”
In its sixth season, Tohopekaliga broke through with a 16-4 record last year, including a district championship. Coach Jen Farrell has several key players back, including junior Sanaa Charles (10.9 ppg. 9.2 rpg) and senior Sofia Delgado (6.3 ppg). The Tigers opened the season last week with two wins.
Harmony coach Paul Strauch returns several veterans including Emerson Aslan but is believes his team will be much stronger when Ellah Husbands, a second team All-County selection--returns from a torn ACL suffered last year.
Three sophomores, Evelyn Juden (17 pgg), Alma Santana (7 ppg) and Ella Kolarik (10 ppg) form a solid core for Celebration, as Storm coach Kenyatta Long looks to improve on last year’s 7-14 record.
Fresh off a Final Four appearance with the Kowboys volleyball team, 6-4 sophomore Brooklyn Sippio will lead Osceola into the 2024-25 campaign. Liberty (2-14 last year) showed some promise in Week 1 as Jade Morris (18 points) and Christina Morris (13) led the Chargers in a 37-16 season opening win over Mater Brighton Lake Academy. Poinciana returns Natalie Calderon (14.9 ppg, 7.5 rpg) off its 8-10 team.
