Running it back old school: Osceola vs. St. Cloud for a trophy

  • Osceola's Jordan Mundle blocks a St. Cloud shot. PHOTO/TAYLOR MCFEE
    Osceola's Jordan Mundle blocks a St. Cloud shot. PHOTO/TAYLOR MCFEE
  • Osceola's Luke McCrimon leaves a Bulldogs defender behind on his way to the hoop. PHOTO/TAYLOR MCFEE
    Osceola's Luke McCrimon leaves a Bulldogs defender behind on his way to the hoop. PHOTO/TAYLOR MCFEE
  • St. Cloud's Diomar Ortiz fights Osceola's Jordan Mason for a rebound. PHOTO/TAYLOR MCFEE
    St. Cloud's Diomar Ortiz fights Osceola's Jordan Mason for a rebound. PHOTO/TAYLOR MCFEE
  • St. Cloud's Malaki Baker takes it to the rim, despite Jordan Mundle's defense. PHOTO/TAYLOR MCFEE
    St. Cloud's Malaki Baker takes it to the rim, despite Jordan Mundle's defense. PHOTO/TAYLOR MCFEE
  • Count it: Osceola's Jordan Isaac puts up a shot. PHOTO/TAYLOR MCFEE
    Count it: Osceola's Jordan Isaac puts up a shot. PHOTO/TAYLOR MCFEE
  • St. Cloud's Malaki Baker throws down a dunk. PHOTO/TAYLOR MCFEE
    St. Cloud's Malaki Baker throws down a dunk. PHOTO/TAYLOR MCFEE
  • St. Cloud's Ryan Rodriguez drives to the hole, even if the Osceola defense doesn't make it easy. PHOTO/TAYLOR MCFEE
    St. Cloud's Ryan Rodriguez drives to the hole, even if the Osceola defense doesn't make it easy. PHOTO/TAYLOR MCFEE
  • The coaches, like Osceola's Steve Mason, also got in on the intensity. PHOTO/TAYLOR MCFEE
    The coaches, like Osceola's Steve Mason, also got in on the intensity. PHOTO/TAYLOR MCFEE
  • St. Cloud Coach Tommy Billiteri was equally into it. PHOTO/TAYLOR MCFEE
    St. Cloud Coach Tommy Billiteri was equally into it. PHOTO/TAYLOR MCFEE
  • And your champions, Osceola High School, by a score of 62-57. PHOTO/TAYLOR MCFEE
    And your champions, Osceola High School, by a score of 62-57. PHOTO/TAYLOR MCFEE

    Years ago, before Osceola's population boomed,  Osceola and St. Cloud was the intense rivalry in EVERYTHING in Osceola County sports. When more and more schools opened up, the light on the rivalry dimmed a bit -- St. Cloud took neighbor Harmony as its top rival, while the Kowboys has sought out Central Florida's best opponents.

    That's why Friday's Orange Belt Conference boys basketball championship game was "like old times" when the Bulldogs and Kowboys met with a championship trophy on the line. And, like many matchups "back in the day," this one saw a number of lead changes and the game go down to the wire. 

    Here's a photo gallery that illustrates the talent and passion shown Friday night.

    Photos by Taylor McFee