Sports

Kissimmee Charlee Soto, who has been featured among the top travel baseball prospects in the country, became Osceola County’s third MLB first-round draft pick and the first since 2000. PHOTO/PERFECT GAME

Kissimmee Charlee Soto, who has been featured among the top travel baseball prospects in the country, became Osceola County’s third MLB first-round draft pick and the first since 2000. PHOTO/PERFECT GAME

Twins pick Kissimmee’s Charlee Soto 34th overall in MLB Draft

J. Daniel Pearson
Wednesday, August 2, 2023
When it came to high school baseball in Osceola County in 2023, Charlee Soto really did not really get a lot of local attention. He pitched for tiny Reborn Christian Academy in Kissimmee, which played an abbreviated spring schedule.
The Harmony Horns U14 volleyball team took third place in July’s 50th AAU Boys National Volleyball Championships in Orlando out of 58 club teams. PHOTOS/KATIE WILLIAMS

The Harmony Horns U14 volleyball team took third place in July’s 50th AAU Boys National Volleyball Championships in Orlando out of 58 club teams. PHOTOS/KATIE WILLIAMS

Harmony volleyball club — from scratch to National semifinals

J. Daniel Pearson
Wednesday, August 2, 2023
As the spring 2022 season was wrapping up, Harmony Middle School volleyball coach Randy Schafer was approached by the some of parents of his team, asking him to consider forming an AAU team to give players an opportunity to continue playing and developing through the summer and fall.
Harmony pitcher Caden Scarborough has signed with the Texas Rangers; the 6th round pick reportedly received a $515,000 signing bonus. FILE PHOTO

Harmony pitcher Caden Scarborough has signed with the Texas Rangers; the 6th round pick reportedly received a $515,000 signing bonus. FILE PHOTO

Caden Scarborough officially signs with Texas Rangers

J. Daniel Pearson
Wednesday, July 26, 2023
Caden Scarborough, just months after throwing his final pitch as a Harmony Longhorn, is officially a Texas Ranger. Scarborough, who was selected in the sixth round of the 2023 Major League Baseball draft earlier this month, agreed to terms late last week with the Rangers.  MLB.
Year In Review for Osceola high-school sports, 2022-23

Year In Review for Osceola high-school sports, 2022-23

Outstanding team, individual efforts marked 2022-23 season

J. Daniel Pearson
Wednesday, July 26, 2023
With fall football camps opening in less than a week, the 2023-24 school year is rapidly approaching. With that in mind, it is only fitting to take a look back at the recently completed school year and to remember the outstanding individual and team performances from Osceola County schools.
Storm standouts Juan Jimenez and Valeria Lopez are the 2023 Osceola News Gazette’s Tennis Players of the Year. PHOTOS/CELEBRATION H.S.

Storm standouts Juan Jimenez and Valeria Lopez are the 2023 Osceola News Gazette’s Tennis Players of the Year. PHOTOS/CELEBRATION H.S.

ALL-COUNTY TENNIS — Storm dominated the county

J. Daniel Pearson
Wednesday, July 26, 2023
When it comes to the sport of tennis in Osceola County, Celebration High School stands apart from the rest of the county. The Storm dominated the Osceola News Gazette’s All-County Team with nine total selections.
The last time we saw teams on the field was May's spring games, like St. Cloud at Freedom. Next week, teams get back on the field for practice. FILE PHOTO

The last time we saw teams on the field was May's spring games, like St. Cloud at Freedom. Next week, teams get back on the field for practice. FILE PHOTO

Dawn of a season: 2023 football season officially begins with Monday's practices

J. Daniel Pearson
Tuesday, July 25, 2023
Football’s back.  Well … almost. Local high school teams can begin practices for the 2023 season on Monday, July 31. St. Cloud will get a jump on all teams as they will open their pre-season camp with their second annual Midnight Madness practice – hitting the field just a few minutes after 12 a.
Harmony High wrestlers Nelson Toro, who signed this week, and Rey Ortiz, are on to the college level after singing with the University of Buffalo and Presbyterian College respectively. PHOTO/HARMONY HIGH

Harmony High wrestlers Nelson Toro, who signed this week, and Rey Ortiz, are on to the college level after singing with the University of Buffalo and Presbyterian College respectively. PHOTO/HARMONY HIGH

Toro! A bull becomes — a Bull!

J. Daniel Pearson
Wednesday, July 19, 2023
The Spanish word for bull is Toro, so perhaps it is only fitting that Harmony’s Nelson Toro will spend his college wrestling career as a Buffalo Bull. With his family, coaches, and teammates looking on over the weekend at St.
Seven members of the Osceola High softball team signed college scholarships this year. PHOTO/KEN JACKSON

Seven members of the Osceola High softball team signed college scholarships this year. PHOTO/KEN JACKSON

Class of 2023 signees — 90 Osceola athletes on to college

News Staff
Wednesday, July 19, 2023
The Harmony wrestling signings of Nelson Toro and Rey Ortiz brings the total number of Class of 2023 athletes signed on to compete at the college level to over 90.
Based on her stellar playing career, Osceola High alum Kenya Pereira has been named to the 2023 Florida A&M Rattlers’ Sports Hall of Fame induction class. SUBMITTED PHOTO

Based on her stellar playing career, Osceola High alum Kenya Pereira has been named to the 2023 Florida A&M Rattlers’ Sports Hall of Fame induction class. SUBMITTED PHOTO

Osceola High alum Kenya Pereira named to FAMU Hall of Fame

Ken Jackson
Saturday, July 15, 2023
Osceola High School alum Kenya Pereira, who starred in the pitching circle for the Kowboys softball teams before moving on to an accomplished career at Florida A&M University, has been named to this year’s induction class to the FAMU Rattlers’ Sports Hall of Fame.
St. Cloud golf coach Jim Endicott (far left) is stepping down after both Bulldog boys and girls golf teams qualified for the state tournament last year and won a combined 10 Orange Belt Conference championships in six years. PHOTO/DAN PEARSON

St. Cloud golf coach Jim Endicott (far left) is stepping down after both Bulldog boys and girls golf teams qualified for the state tournament last year and won a combined 10 Orange Belt Conference championships in six years. PHOTO/DAN PEARSON

Coaching changes coming for county schools — see who, where

J. Daniel Pearson
Thursday, July 13, 2023
As is usually the case, there will be plenty of new faces patrolling the sidelines of our local high schools’ athletic fields, courts, and pools as the 2023-24 school year begins in a few short weeks.
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