Sports

Gateway junior Malayna Stevenson (center kneeling) was presented a game ball Thursday to commemorate her 1000th career point with the Panthers. PHOTO/J. DANIEL PEARSON

Stevenson notches 1,000th point in Gateway win

J. Daniel Pearson

Friday, January 13, 2023

On a night when Malayna Stevenson scored a game-high 26 points – including the 1,000th of her career -- the Gateway Panthers needed every one of them in order to score an impressive 66-60 win over Lake Mary Thursday.

Harmony’s Rebekah Wiles prepares to take a corner kick in the Longhorns’ 4-0 win at St. Cloud Tuesday. PHOTO/J. DANIEL PEARSON

Longhorns dominate regular-season rivalry soccer game

J. Daniel Pearson

Wednesday, January 11, 2023

Last month, Harmony had to struggle and claw its way to a 3-2 win over St. Cloud in the semifinals of the Orange Belt Conference girls’ soccer championship.

Sandra Changkija’s 2022 was highlighted by a victory at the PGA Women’s Stroke Play Championship. PHOTO/FSGA

ChampionsGate pro Changkija earns PGA Player of the Year

Staff Report

Wednesday, January 11, 2023

Sandra Changkija, the PGA Assistant Professional at ChampionsGate Golf Resort, earned her first career national Women’s PGA Professional Player of the Year Award. The 32-year-old also won North Florida PGA Woman Player of the Year. “I’m super excited,” said Changkija.

Madison Vazquez (5) guards an inbounds pass against Hagerty’s Alexis Botelho. PHOTO/J. DANIEL PEARSON

St. Cloud meets its girls hoops match against Hagerty

News Staff

Wednesday, January 4, 2023

On paper, it had the makings of a competitive and intriguing matchup, as the St. Cloud Lady Bulldogs (13-2) and Hagerty (12-1) came into Tuesday afternoon’s game with just three combined losses. But senior Hannah Kohn and the sharp shooting Huskies had other ideas.

Harmony’s Nelson Toro (top) works over Palatka’s Mikade Harvey in the 285-pound finals of The Hammer Tournament in Jacksonville. Toro won the match, 11-1. PHOTO/HARMONY HIGH SCHOOL

Duals wrestling tournament begins with district meets

J. Daniel Pearson

Wednesday, January 4, 2023

The FHSAA Duals district championships get underway this week for county wrestling programs. The Osceola Kowboys and the Harmony Longhorns will look to advance and repeat state tournament appearances. The top two teams in each district will advance to regionals.

Osceola freshman Cate Palmi (9) and junior Alex Liggeri (8) are the Osceola News Gazette’s Co-Players of the Year. The duo led Osceola (26-5) to a regional championship and a Class 7A state semifinal appearance. PHOTOS/JOSH PALMI, OSCEOLA HIGH

ALL-COUNTY GIRLS VOLLEYBALL — Palmi, Liggeri helped push Osceola to state semis

J. Daniel Pearson

Friday, December 30, 2022

In 2022 the Osceola Kowboys volleyball team reached new heights, capturing a regional tournament championship and advancing to the FHSAA Class 7A state semifinals, where they lost a heart-breaking 5-set match to Hagerty.

The Guinness Book of World Records credits Pele with 1,279 goals in 1,363 games in a professional career that spanned over two decades. PHOTO/FINANCIAL TIMES

Pele, world's soccer ambassador, dies at 82

Ken Jackson

Thursday, December 29, 2022

Born Edson Arantes do Nascimento, the soccer ambassador to the world known as Pele died Thursday at the age of 82. The Brazilian star had been battling colon cancer since 2021, and it was announced during the World Cup earlier this month that he had entered "end of life care.

Osceola’s Tavion Swint racked up 1,666 rushing yards in 2022 en route to the News-Gazette’s Offensive Player of the Year honors. PHOTO/REINHOLD MATAY

Kowboys sweep News-Gazette Offensive, Defensive Player of the Year awards

J. Daniel Pearson

Tuesday, December 27, 2022

Two Osceola Kowboys, whose team came within a few plays of competing for a state championship, earned the Osceola News-Gazette’s Offensive and Defensive Player of the Year awards for the 2022 season. On offense, sophomore running back Taevion Swint is the Offensive Player of the Year.

Anderson Heap (white singlet) maneuvers around Cass, Ga.'s Tyler McKnight during the 145-lb. final of the 10th Annual Knockout Christmas Classic at Silver Spurs Arena. PHOTO/J. DANIEL PEARSON

3 Kowboy wrestlers reach finals, 2 win, in Knockout Christmas Classic

J. Daniel Pearson

Friday, December 23, 2022

Osceola High saw Cooper Haase and Anderson Heap each won individual championships and Gunner Holland reach his finals as the Kowboys found success in the 10th annual Knockout Christmas Classic at Silver Spurs Arena.

Surrounded by family, friends and Coach Eric Pinellas, Jakeem Jackson (signed with Florida), Derrick Leblanc (Oklahoma), John Walker (UCF) and Bo Mascoe (Rutgers) all inked scholarship papers to play Division-I football during Wednesday’s National Signing Day. PHOTO/DAN PEARSON