Sports

Sophia Lazari (8) scored 15 goals and added 10 assists in leading Celebration to its first outright Orange Belt Conference title in school history and a 14-win season. PHOTO/CELEBRATION HIGH SCHOOL

Sophia Lazari (8) scored 15 goals and added 10 assists in leading Celebration to its first outright Orange Belt Conference title in school history and a 14-win season. PHOTO/CELEBRATION HIGH SCHOOL

ALL-COUNTY GIRLS SOCCER — Lazari, Camis pushed Storm to first OBC title

J. Daniel Pearson
Wednesday, May 31, 2023
Senior striker and team captain Sophia Lazari and head coach Rebecca Camis led Celebration to its first ever Orange Belt Conference championship and a 14-3 overall record, and for that reason they are the Osceola News-Gazette’s Player of the Year and Coach of the Year for the 2022-23 season.
Alex Tuyo (10) led the county with 23 goals this season. PHOTO/ELOY HERNANDEZ

Alex Tuyo (10) led the county with 23 goals this season. PHOTO/ELOY HERNANDEZ

ALL-COUNTY BOYS SOCCER — Tuyo’s offense, Vargas’ defense tops

J. Daniel Pearson
Wednesday, May 31, 2023
One was a scoring machine, the other was a brick wall in front of the goal. Harmony’s Alex Tuyo and Celebration’s Chris Vargas had outstanding seasons and share the Osceola News-Gazette’s Boys Soccer Player of the Year award while highlighting our All-County Team.
Osceola High baseball coach Scott Birchler, accepting a Coach of the Year award from Osceola Athletic Director Ryan Adams, announced his coaching retirement Tuesday night. PHOTO/RICK TRIBIT

Osceola High baseball coach Scott Birchler, accepting a Coach of the Year award from Osceola Athletic Director Ryan Adams, announced his coaching retirement Tuesday night. PHOTO/RICK TRIBIT

After 300+ wins, Scott Birchler steps down from OHS baseball

J. Daniel Pearson
Wednesday, May 24, 2023
Scott Birchler, Osceola’s highly successful baseball coach over two stints and 21 years, is leaving the dugout after a stellar career that included eight district championships and a 2014 regional crown.
Harmony hurdler Alex Tuyo placed at the FHSAA Class 4A state track meet. PHOTO/KATIE WILLIAMS

Harmony hurdler Alex Tuyo placed at the FHSAA Class 4A state track meet. PHOTO/KATIE WILLIAMS

Four earn All-State in track; Spring football games mark end of 2022-23

J. Daniel Pearson
Monday, May 22, 2023
Here is a recap of the action of the past week in Osceola County sports -- one of the last weeks of this athletic season: Celebration's deep run in the boys volleyball postseason came to a heart-breaking end Friday when it dropped a state quarterfinal to No. 2 ranked Winter Park, 22-25, 25-22,...
Owen Conner, who caught two touchdown passes Friday, runs toward the end zone in St. Cloud's 41-21 spring game win at Freedom. PHOTO/KEN JACKSON

Owen Conner, who caught two touchdown passes Friday, runs toward the end zone in St. Cloud's 41-21 spring game win at Freedom. PHOTO/KEN JACKSON

Poinciana, St. Cloud cruise in spring football games

Ken Jackson And J. Daniel Pearson
Saturday, May 20, 2023
Spring games don't count in any official records, but Poinciana and St. Cloud coaches Randy Beeken and Mike Short said Friday night's results were important steps in the evolution of their teams' 2023 seasons.
Legendary NFL running back and actor Jim Brown died Friday at the age of 87. GRAPHIC/CLEVELAND BROWNS

Legendary NFL running back and actor Jim Brown died Friday at the age of 87. GRAPHIC/CLEVELAND BROWNS

NFL running back pioneer Jim Brown dies at age 87

Staff Report
Friday, May 19, 2023
Jim Brown, who for a generation was the NFL's all-time leading ground gainer despite playing only nine seasons, passed away at age 87, his family reported.
Harmony's team hardware from the OBC Awards Banquet. PHOTO/KEN JACKSON

Harmony's team hardware from the OBC Awards Banquet. PHOTO/KEN JACKSON

OBC AWARDS NIGHT — Harmony tops OBC standings again

J. Daniel Pearson
Thursday, May 18, 2023
For the third consecutive year and 11th time in school’s 19-year history, Harmony has won the Orange Belt Conference’s All-Sports Trophy as the top athletic program in Osceola County. The announcement was made at Wednesday’s annual OBC Awards Dinner at Osceola Heritage Park.
Sitting in the front rows, the Celebration Boys Volleyball team poses with their fans after Tuesday’s regional championship win over Horizon. The Storm will face second-seeded Winter Park on Friday in an FHSAA state quarterfinal game. PHOTO/J. DANIEL PEARSON

Sitting in the front rows, the Celebration Boys Volleyball team poses with their fans after Tuesday’s regional championship win over Horizon. The Storm will face second-seeded Winter Park on Friday in an FHSAA state quarterfinal game. PHOTO/J. DANIEL PEARSON

State bound – Celebration to play for boys volleyball title

J. Daniel Pearson
Wednesday, May 17, 2023
With a couple of players nursing injuries, Celebration’s boys volleyball team had to rely on senior captain Darion Graham more than usual in Tuesday night’s regional against Horizon.
Junior Nick Palmi was part of a valiant Osceola relief pitching effort in Saturday’s regional semifinal playoff game, but it wasn’t enough to overcome topseeded Park Vista, 3-1. PHOTO/CARRIE PALMI

Junior Nick Palmi was part of a valiant Osceola relief pitching effort in Saturday’s regional semifinal playoff game, but it wasn’t enough to overcome topseeded Park Vista, 3-1. PHOTO/CARRIE PALMI

Closing time — 2022-23 concludes with Storm volleyball, spring football

J. Daniel Pearson
Tuesday, May 16, 2023
A return trip to the FHSAA boys volleyball state tournament was on the line Tuesday night when the Celebration Storm (20-9) hosted the Horizon Hawks (17-9) in the Region 2 Final. The state championship begins Friday at Polk State College in Winter Haven, and the Storm will be in it!
Celebration libero Keith Harrison (11) prepares for a point during the Storm’s straight set win over Dr. Phillips. PHOTO/J. DANIEL PEARSON

Celebration libero Keith Harrison (11) prepares for a point during the Storm’s straight set win over Dr. Phillips. PHOTO/J. DANIEL PEARSON

BOYS VOLLEYBALL — Celebration one win from state tournament after downing Dr. Phillips

J. Daniel Pearson
Saturday, May 13, 2023
Although it was a straight set win over No. 3 ranked Dr. Phillips, Celebration head coach Pedro Davila was not particularly enthused about his team’s 25-18, 25-14, 25-20 victory in Friday’s Region 3 boys volleyball semifinal.
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