Sports

Haley Collins, shown in St. Cloud's district championship game, led the Bulldogs with 14 points in Wednesday's regional playoff win over New Smyrna Beach. PHOTO/KATIE WILLIAMS

Haley Collins, shown in St. Cloud's district championship game, led the Bulldogs with 14 points in Wednesday's regional playoff win over New Smyrna Beach. PHOTO/KATIE WILLIAMS

Bulldogs dominate New Smyrna Beach in regional playoffs

Of Osceola County's four girls basketball district champions, just one will move on to Monday's regional semifinal.The top-seeded St. Cloud Bulldogs cruised to an easy 57-28 win over New Smyrna Beach in a Class 6A, Region 2 quarterfinal playoff game Wednesday.Meanwhile, for Gateway, a return trip...
A surprise win by the St. Cloud boys basketball team in the 2024 Orange Belt Conference Tournament kept the Bulldogs close to leader Harmony for the 2023-24 Orange Belt Conference All-Sports Award. PHOTO/J. DANIEL PEARSON

A surprise win by the St. Cloud boys basketball team in the 2024 Orange Belt Conference Tournament kept the Bulldogs close to leader Harmony for the 2023-24 Orange Belt Conference All-Sports Award. PHOTO/J. DANIEL PEARSON

Winter update: Bulldogs narrow Harmony’s OBC All-Sports lead

With the conclusion of Orange Belt Conference boys and girls wrestling tournaments last week, the standings for the coveted OBC All-Sports Trophy have narrowed.Thanks to wins in competitive cheer and girls’ soccer, as well as second place finishes in boys and girls wrestling and girls...
Harmony's Ashlyn Florio (8) and Jordyn Frost (11) work to get possession of the ball in Tuesday's Class 7A regional quarterfinal playoff game against Treasure Coast. PHOTO/KATIE WILLIAMS

Harmony's Ashlyn Florio (8) and Jordyn Frost (11) work to get possession of the ball in Tuesday's Class 7A regional quarterfinal playoff game against Treasure Coast. PHOTO/KATIE WILLIAMS

Gateway, Celebration boys advance in soccer playoffs

Tuesday was a mixed bag for the four Osceola County soccer programs that qualified for the regional playoffs.The two boys teams won, and the two girls teams lost.First, the bad news.
Tohpekaliga's DD Parks (12) and Harmony's Emerson Aslan fight for a rebound in Friday's District 7A-6 final, a 38-32 Tigers' win. PHOTO/KATIE WILLIAMS

Tohpekaliga's DD Parks (12) and Harmony's Emerson Aslan fight for a rebound in Friday's District 7A-6 final, a 38-32 Tigers' win. PHOTO/KATIE WILLIAMS

County of Champions! Queens of the Hardwood

Four county squads will continue their girls basketball seasons Wednesday when the regional playoffs begin.They all won district championships, and the automatic spot in the brackets that come with them.
Osceola's Luke McCrimon brings the ball up in Thursday's District 7A-6 semifinal. He led all scorers with 20 points. PHOTO/DAN PEARSON

Osceola's Luke McCrimon brings the ball up in Thursday's District 7A-6 semifinal. He led all scorers with 20 points. PHOTO/DAN PEARSON

It's Kowboys, Longhorns for district title Saturday; Gateway plays at Jones

An automatic trip to regional playoffs will be on the line when the Osceola boys’ basketball team tangles with the Harmony Longhorns for the third time this season Saturday at 7 p.m. at Lake Nona High School for the District 7A-6 boys basketball championship.The two teams won hard-fought semifinals...
Osceola's Mac McClung is headed back to NBA All-Star Weekend to attempt to defend his Dunk Contest title. PHOTO/KATIE WILLIAMS

Osceola's Mac McClung is headed back to NBA All-Star Weekend to attempt to defend his Dunk Contest title. PHOTO/KATIE WILLIAMS

Magic blow past Windy City; McClung headed to defend Slam Dunk title

The Osceola Magic defeated the Windy City Bulls 129-113 at Now Arena in suburban Chicago Thursday afternoon, the start of a month-long string of road games.After the game, the NBA announced Magic guard Mac McClung has been selected to participate in, and defend his title in, the 2024 AT&T Slam Dunk...
Gateway’s Alyssa Rivera inbounds pass against Lake Region defense.  The sophomore would score 20 points in the Panthers 54-35 win over Lake Region. PHOTO/J. DANIEL PEARSON

Gateway’s Alyssa Rivera inbounds pass against Lake Region defense. The sophomore would score 20 points in the Panthers 54-35 win over Lake Region. PHOTO/J. DANIEL PEARSON

Four county teams play for district championships after Wednesday girls hoops semifinals wins

Sophomores Alyssa Marino and Evana Rivera combined for 39 points to lead the Gateway Panthers to a 54-35 win over Lake Region in a Class 5A, District 7 semifinal playoff game that ended ugly Wednesday.The game was stopped with 51 second remaining due to unsportsmanlike actions by Lake Region.
Osceola Magic center D.J. Wilson, shown here in Thursday's game, got it done on both ends of court Sunday, scoring a game-high 30 points in a 112-89 victory over the Maine Celtics. PHOTO/KATIE WILLIAMS

Osceola Magic center D.J. Wilson, shown here in Thursday's game, got it done on both ends of court Sunday, scoring a game-high 30 points in a 112-89 victory over the Maine Celtics. PHOTO/KATIE WILLIAMS

Osceola Magic stop Celtics to snap losing streak

By Bob PincusFor the News-GazetteThe Osceola Magic limped into Sunday's game with the Maine Celtics on a three-game home losing streak.