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NEWS-GAZETTE PHOTO/J. DANIEL PEARSON Osceola Kowboys point guard Tyrese Carabello gets ready to release a free throw against Celebration. Carabello had three points in Osceola’s 60-48 win over the Storm.
HIGH SCHOOL BOYS BASKETBALL
Amari Thomas scored a game-high 17 points, and Osceola overcame some sloppy play in the third quarter, as the Kowboys rolled to a 61-48 win over the Celebration Storm on Wednesday night.
“Maybe we are a little bit fatigued and we are definitely trying to get some players healthy,” Osceola Head Coach Nate Alexander said. “Regardless, we were a little out of sync on both offense and defense tonight. But give Celebration some credit too. They played hard the entire game and continued fighting even when we built a big lead.”
The Storm pretty much matched Osceola in the first quarter, and actually led 12-11 with less than a minute to go in the period. But Sean Combs would hit a three to make it 14-11. Osceola would get a steal, and Thomas would hit another three as time expired as the Kowboys took a 17-12 lead after one quarter.
Osceola used a pressing full court defense to open a 15-point lead at the half.
Thomas and Chris Combs each scored five points in the period, and the Kowboys limited the Storm to just three field goals in the period to take a 35-20 lead at intermission.
With Alexander Playing his reserves for most of the third quarter, Celebration would climb back into the game. The Storm outscored Osceola 17-12 in the period to cut the lead to 10 at the end on the third period, 47-37.
“We did not play very well in the third period,” Alexander said. “We got a little sloppy with the ball and they converted turnovers into points.”
Although Osceola managed just three field goals in the final period, they maintained a double digit lead by hitting eight of 13 free throws.
In addition to Thomas, the Kowboys had two other players in double figures as Chris Combs added 12 points and Josh Blazquez added 10. Edwin Colon added seven.
Acevedo had 12 for Celebration, which fell to 5-8.
County Boys Basketball
Update
Celebration (5-8): Lost to Freedom, 52-51, Jan. 10; Lost to Osceola, 60-48, Jan. 15; Played at Cornerstone, Jan. 17 at Discovery, Jan. 28
Harmony (4-9): Lost to St. Cloud, 62-53, Jan. 10; Lost to Gateway, 53-51, Jan. 14; Lost to Bayside, 70-46, Jan. 15; Played at Winter Springs, Jan. 17.
Gateway (6-8): Lost to Olympia, 68-49, Jan. 11; defeated Harmony, 53-51; Lost to Heritage, 45-34, Jan. 15; Played North Kissimmee Christian, Jan. 17.
Liberty (3-9): Defeated Legacy, 65-37, Jan. 9; Defeated Lakeland Christian, 75-51, Jan. 11; Lost to Bartow, 72-28, Jan. 14; Played at Real Life Christian, Jan. 16.
Osceola (13-3): Lost to Orlando Christian Prep, 78-45, Jan. 11; defeated Haines City, 70-44, Jan. 13; defeated Celebration, 60-48, Jan. 15; Played at Oak Ridge, Jan. 16.
Poinciana (7-8): Lost to Winter Haven, 61-46, Jan. 10; Lost to Ocoee, 66-46, 1/14; Played St. Cloud, Jan. 16; Played Lake Howell, Jan. 17.
St. Cloud (7-8):
Defeated Harmony, 62-53, Jan. 10; Lost to Cypress Creek, 61-55, Jan. 13: defeated Cornerstone, 54-37, Jan. 14; Played Poinciana, Jan. 16.
Tohopekaliga (6-8):
Defeated East River, 52-34, Jan. 10; Defeated Freedom, 48-46, Jan. 13; Played at Ridge Community, Jan. 16.
