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basketball
Florida High School Athletic Association playoff action is in full swing as the boy’s entered district play this past week, while girls’ basketball saw the beginning regional play.
Here is where the county schools stood as of Thursday morning:
Osceola Boys
Nate Alexander’s team was blown out, 80-50, by an extremely tough Bartow team (23-1) in the regular season finale, but still accomplished enough this season to earn the No. 1 seed and a first round bye in Class 7A, District 6 tournament. The defending state champions opened their post-season with a 54-49 win over Celebration on Wednesday night, and played Windermere (18-8) for the district crown on Friday (Game story in Next Thursday’s Gazette). The teams met earlier this season, with Windermere winning at home, 65-55. Based on their current ranking, the Kowboys will likely advance to the regionals as an at-large team regardless of the outcome of that game. Senior Amari Thomas (14.1 ppg) and junior Josh Blazquez (13.8) have led the team in scoring. Osceola and Alexander are one win away for a four consecutive 20-win season.
Girls
Osceola’s season came to end with a 32-26 loss to Windermere in the district tournament. Sophomore Mya Lomax led the team in scoring at 18.1 ppg. Dion Byrum’s squad finishes this season with a 12-9 record.
St. Cloud Boys
St. Cloud’s season ended with a 12-13 record with a 56-51 loss to East River in the first round of district play.
Girls
Chad Ansbaugh’s team won its second straight district crown with an impressive 72-44 win in the Class 6A, District 5 championship game.
The team moved on to play Lake Howell in the regional quarterfinals on Thursday night (Check next week’s News-Gazette for a complete game report).
Center Eno Inyang leads the Lady Bulldogs in both scoring (19.2) and rebounding (9.6); senior Beka Benge has been averaging more than 14 points per game.
City of Life Boys
City of Life (10-16) finished its season with an 84-40 loss to Orlando Christian Prep in the Class 2A, District 11 playoffs. Senior Shamyll Torres led the team in scoring at 13.1 ppg.
Girls
The Warriors girls’ team remained undefeated at 24-0, with an impressive 64-47 win over Orlando Christian Prep in the finals of District 11 playoffs. They opened regional play against Real Life Christian Academy on Thursday night. Dewrie Bugg’s squad is led by a trio of young players, including eighth-grader Camilla De pool-Maisonet (13.3 ppg), seventh-grader Jayshlynn Vega-rivera (15.8 ppg) and junior Shanelle Heredia (7.6 ppg). COFCA lone starting senior, Janelisse Marty-Marrero is averaging 12.1 ppg. Competing in Class 2A, COLCA is 9-0 this season against schools playing 4A and higher.
Southland Christian Boys
Steve Ross’ 20-3 team had one more regular season game left with Winter Haven Christian before opening play Central Florida Christian Athletic Conference. Junior Amon Moore (14.7 ppg) leads a balanced Southland attack that features four players averaging double figures.
Harmony Boys
Harmony saw its season end last week with a 62-38 loss to Viera in the Class 6A, District 5 tournament.
Girls
A 58-31 loss to Melbourne in the district (6A-5) tournament ended the Lady Longhorns season at 3-13.
Tohopekaliga Boys
The 10-15 Tigers saw their season come to an end with a loss to Boone (72-38) in the district playoffs.
Girls
The second year school had a tough season in competing in Class 7A, District 5, finishing the season with a 1-21 mark and a 65-15 loss to Cypress Creek. Sophomore Nina Malave (6.4 ppg) and senior Natalia Cohn (6.3 ppg) led the team in scoring.
Celebration Boys
The Storm boys’ team reached the semifinals of the Class 7A, District 6 playoffs, where they saw its season come to end with a 54-49 loss to Osceola. Prior to that game, Celebration won a thrilling 50-49 win over Haines City in the quarterfinals.
Girls
The Celebration girls’ basketball team finished its season with an 11-9 winning record.
The team lost its last game, dropping a 61-48 decision to Osceola in the Class 7A, District 6 quarterfinals. Senior Selina Rivera led the team in scoring with a 12.9 average.
Gateway Boys
The Panther season ended last week with a 50-43 overtime loss to Heritage in the Class 5A, District 8 playoffs. Gateway finished the season at 9-13.
Girls
A 54-35 loss to Heritage in the Class 5A, District 8 semifinals ended the Panthers season at 16-10. Freshman Vanessa Diaz (23.3 ppg) had a tremendous rookie season for Gateway.
Poinciana Boys
The Eagles defeated Liberty in the Class 6A, District 6 quarterfinals before falling to Winter Haven in overtime in Wednesday’s semifinals by a 70-67 count. Poinciana finished the season with a 13-13 record and was led in scoring by Jahsean Corbett’s 13.7 ppg.
Girls
A 65-14 loss to Winter Haven in the first round of the 6A, District 6 tournament ended the Lady Eagles season with an 8-15 record.
Liberty Boys
Liberty season ended with a 6-17 record and a 72-51 loss to Poinciana in the Class 6A, District 6 quarterfinals.
Girls
The Lady Chargers saw their season end with an 11-10 record, as they dropped a 72-46 decision to Lake Howell in the Class 6A District 6 tournament.
Senior guard Angelica Sanjuro led the team in scoring at 13.8 ppg.
