Sports

Gateway's Ashlynn Day goes up for a shot as St. Cloud's Vanessa Vohs (2) and Ava Sanchez (12) defend in Friday's OBC girls basketball championship. PHOTO/MARIO CASAMALHUAPA

Gateway's Ashlynn Day goes up for a shot as St. Cloud's Vanessa Vohs (2) and Ava Sanchez (12) defend in Friday's OBC girls basketball championship. PHOTO/MARIO CASAMALHUAPA

Gateway gets big buckets, steady defense late to pull out OBC girls hoops victory over St. Cloud, 55-49

Ken Jackson
Friday, January 24, 2025
In a game befitting a championship, Gateway finally broke free of a scrappy St. Cloud team in the fourth quarter to win, 55-49, in the Orange Belt Conference girls basketball title game Friday at Celebration High School.The Panthers (18-4) and Bulldogs (13-7) had met in the prior two OBC...
The Cruzeiro and Mineros derby was one of many fouls. PHOTO/MARIO CASAMALHUAPA

The Cruzeiro and Mineros derby was one of many fouls. PHOTO/MARIO CASAMALHUAPA

International soccer the buzz in the area

Mario Casamalhuapa
Friday, January 24, 2025
Orlando has become the epicenter of international soccer, hosting a spectacular lineup of matches featuring some of the world's most prestigious clubs and national teams over the next six months.The soccer extravaganza kicked off on Jan. 15 with the FC Series match between Brazilian powerhouses...
Ethan Thompson shoots for two of his 16 points in the Osceola Magic's home loss Wednesday. PHOTO/TAYLOR MCFEE

Ethan Thompson shoots for two of his 16 points in the Osceola Magic's home loss Wednesday. PHOTO/TAYLOR MCFEE

Osceola Magic's struggles continue with home loss to Capital City; back at home next week

Ken Jackson
Thursday, January 23, 2025
The Osceola Magic fell to 3-6 in the NBA G League regular season Wednesday after a 106-95 loss to the Capital City Go-Go (7-3) at the Silver Spurs Arena.Looking for a spark after a seven-game road trip, Mac McClung led the Magic in scoring with 21 points on 8-of-14 shooting and Jarrett Culver...
Gateway's Evana Rivera (11) fights for a rebound with Harmony's Chloe Barrett in Wednesday's OBC semfinal.

Gateway's Evana Rivera (11) fights for a rebound with Harmony's Chloe Barrett in Wednesday's OBC semfinal.

Gateway, St. Cloud will play for OBC girls basketball title Friday

Ken Jackson
Thursday, January 23, 2025
St. Cloud's had it; Gateway wants it ... who will get it at Celebration on Friday?Just like the last two years, the Bulldogs and Panthers will meet for the Orange Belt Conference girls basketball championship.
The Osceola Kowboys, pictured after winning their district duals, has qualified for the FHSAA state duals tournament each year it's been held since 2018. SUBMITTED PHOTO

The Osceola Kowboys, pictured after winning their district duals, has qualified for the FHSAA state duals tournament each year it's been held since 2018. SUBMITTED PHOTO

Kowboys host, and earn a spot in, FHSAA Duals wrestling tourney starting Friday

J. Daniel Pearson
Wednesday, January 22, 2025
Although wrestling short-handed because of injuries and illness, Osceola will compete for a state championship this weekend as it hosts the 2025 FHSAA State Duals Championships Friday and Saturday at the Kowboys Gym.Founded in 2018, the event was created to supplement the traditional Individual...
Champs Again! With 37 of 40 lifters scoring points, St. Cloud rolled to its 15th consecutive Orange Belt Conference Girls weightlifting championship, edging rival Harmony, 159-122. PHOTO/ST. CLOUD HIGH

Champs Again! With 37 of 40 lifters scoring points, St. Cloud rolled to its 15th consecutive Orange Belt Conference Girls weightlifting championship, edging rival Harmony, 159-122. PHOTO/ST. CLOUD HIGH

Lady Bulldogs repeat as OBC champions

J. Daniel Pearson
Saturday, January 18, 2025
Once again, St. Cloud sits on top of the Orange Belt Conference in girls’ weightlifting.Despite a bit of pre-match worry from their coach, the Lady Bulldogs captured both the traditional (bench press and clean-and-Jerk) and Olympic (Bench and snatch) team titles Friday to claim their 15th...
Hard nosed defense and big second-half buckets led the Osceola Kowboys to the 2024 Orange Belt Conference boys basketball title. PHOTO/TAYLOR MCFEE

Hard nosed defense and big second-half buckets led the Osceola Kowboys to the 2024 Orange Belt Conference boys basketball title. PHOTO/TAYLOR MCFEE

Defense, Isaac lead Kowboys to OBC hoops crown

J. Daniel Pearson
Saturday, January 18, 2025
Osceola used a smothering fourth quarter defense and 22 points from Jordan Isaac to slip by St. Cloud, 62-57, in the Orange Belt Conference boys basketball championship game at a packed Bob Baker Gym at Gateway High Friday.The Kowboys, now 19-1, entered the tournament as the No. 1 seed, but got all...
Harmony is the No. 4 seed in the Orange Belt Conference girls basketball tournament and will play Celebration at Gateway on Tuesday. PHOTO/TAYLOR MCFEE

Harmony is the No. 4 seed in the Orange Belt Conference girls basketball tournament and will play Celebration at Gateway on Tuesday. PHOTO/TAYLOR MCFEE

OBC girls basketball tourney — can Panthers find a way to their first title?

J. Daniel Pearson
Thursday, January 16, 2025
If recent history and current rankings represent a fair barometer, it’s a pretty good guess Gateway will meet St. Cloud in the finals of next Friday’s Orange Belt Conference girls basketball tournament.The Panthers and Bulldogs they have met in the last two OBC title games and although both teams...
Middle linebacker Elijah Melendez anchored the Kowboys defense for a 12-3 team that allowed just over 12 points per game in the regular season against a schedule that included nine playoff teams. PHOTO/TAYLOR MCFEE

Middle linebacker Elijah Melendez anchored the Kowboys defense for a 12-3 team that allowed just over 12 points per game in the regular season against a schedule that included nine playoff teams. PHOTO/TAYLOR MCFEE

ALL-COUNTY FOOTBALL DEFENSE — Melendez anchored tough Kowboys defense

J. Daniel Pearson
Thursday, January 16, 2025
By Osceola standards, 2023 was a rough year. Despite winning their district and made the state playoffs, the Kowboys finished with an uncharacteristic 4-7 record.
Throw it down, young man: Luke McCrimon dunks home two of his 11 points Wednesday. PHOTO/KATIE WILLIAMS

Throw it down, young man: Luke McCrimon dunks home two of his 11 points Wednesday. PHOTO/KATIE WILLIAMS

'Like old times': Osceola, St. Cloud to play for OBC title after Wednesday semifinal wins

Ken Jackson And J. Daniel Pearson
Wednesday, January 15, 2025
Osceola and St. Cloud will take it "old school" when the longtime rivals will meet Friday at 7p.m. in the Orange Belt Conference boys basketball championship game at Gateway High.The teams from the county's original two high schools -- intense rivals in the days before Gateway, Poinciana and...
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