Outstanding free throw shooting by Sarasota and an ill-advised time out call in the waning moments of the game resulted in Osceola Kowboys’ season coming to a screeching halt in a 64-61 loss in the Region 7A-3 final Thursday.
The Kowboys finish another fine season at 25-4. Sarasota will face either Miami Columbus or Sanford Seminole in the semifinals in Lakeland on March 7.
Following a quick Kowboys timeout, Osceola knocked a pass loose with Jordan Mundle gaining possession on the ground. Before Sarasota could tie the ball up, the Osceola bench called a timeout. Unfortunately they had used their last one after Isaac’s layup, resulting in a technical foul and two free throws for Sarasota with 57 seconds remaining.
“That mistake is all on me,” Osceola coach Steve Mason said. “I really thought we had one time out left. Our kids fought so hard to get back in the game, it’s a shame they didn’t get a chance to win it because of my error.”
Oliver Boyle stepped to the line and knocked down both free throws and Sarasota maintained possession. The Kowboys fouled Boyle, who made both free throws to extend the lead to 62-57. McCrimon knocked down another three but Harris Hawke made both free throws on an ensuing foul to ice the game. The Sailors (28-2) were 16-of-16 from the line in the fourth quarter.
The extra timeout was not the only reason for Osceola’s downfall. The Kowboys dominated the first half – taking a nine-point lead into the locker room at 35-26. That lead could have been bigger, but Sarasota scored 13 second-chance points off offensive rebounds – many from 6-7 center David Young. They'd get 20 points like that Thursday.
“(Young) was certainly one of the better big men we faced all year,” Mason said. “Despite his size, I thought we defensed him well all game, but he still made some big plays.”
An ice-cold third quarter by Osceola shooters also played a big role in the loss. The Kowboys were out-scored in the period 19-5, as Osceola hit just 2 of 12 shots – including 1 of 6 from beyond the arc.
“We weren’t getting bad looks in the period,” Mason noted. “But we just couldn’t get anything to fall.”
Although the Kowboys limited Sarasota to just one field goal in the final quarter, the game was decided at the line. Boyle hit all 11 of his free throw attempts in the game, including 10-of-10 in the fourth quarter.
“Given the intensity and importance of the game, along with the hostile atmosphere, it was a remarkable free throw performance by them,” Mason said. “They just kept making one after another.”
Osceola was led by McCrimon 17 and Mundle (16); while Mason chipped in 13. Osceola shot just 31% in the second half, including just 25% from behind the three-point line (4 of 16).
