Sports

The OBC baseball tournament returns with quarterfinal games Monday.

The OBC baseball tournament returns with quarterfinal games Monday.

OBC baseball tournament begins Monday

J. Daniel Pearson
Tuesday, March 29, 2022
The Orange Belt Conference baseball tournament returns next week after a two-year hiatus, and it could have major implications on this year’s county All-Sports Championship.
Orlando City B’s Jack Lynn (27) heads a shot on net in the team’s 2-0 win over the Chicago Fire II Saturday at Osceola County Stadium. The team hosts New York City FC II on Sunday at 6 p.m. PHOTO/ORLANDO CITY B VIA THE MANE LAND

Orlando City B’s Jack Lynn (27) heads a shot on net in the team’s 2-0 win over the Chicago Fire II Saturday at Osceola County Stadium. The team hosts New York City FC II on Sunday at 6 p.m. PHOTO/ORLANDO CITY B VIA THE MANE LAND

Orlando City B starts MLS NEXT with win

Ken Jackson
Tuesday, March 29, 2022
Orlando City B, the training club for the Orlando City Soccer Club playing in the MLS NEXT Pro League, will play its 2022 season at Osceola County Stadium, with fans. The team played its first match with a crowd Saturday against the Chicago Fire II, a 2-0 win.
Osceola’s Cooper Haase (in white) works a move on Riverview’s Nikolas Hernandez in the Class 3A 138-pound state championship match at Osceola Heritage Park. Haase won with a pin for his third state title. PHOTO/J. DANIEL PEARSON

Osceola’s Cooper Haase (in white) works a move on Riverview’s Nikolas Hernandez in the Class 3A 138-pound state championship match at Osceola Heritage Park. Haase won with a pin for his third state title. PHOTO/J. DANIEL PEARSON

Cooper Haase a rare three-time champ

J. Daniel Pearson
Tuesday, March 22, 2022
At many schools, winning a state championship would usually be enough for your local paper to name you its “Athlete of the Year.” But when it comes to Osceola County, it often gets you in the “others being considered” category. That’s exactly what happened this year.
Harmony’s 4x100 relay team of Tyler Emans, Isaiah Oquendo, Wathson Cherancy, Alex Tuyo have already established a new school record. SUBMITTED PHOTO

Harmony’s 4x100 relay team of Tyler Emans, Isaiah Oquendo, Wathson Cherancy, Alex Tuyo have already established a new school record. SUBMITTED PHOTO

Can Harmony defend OBC against strong county athletes?

J. Daniel Pearson
Tuesday, March 22, 2022
Returning deep squads, Harmony High School will be favorites to defend their Orange Belt Conference boys and girls championships.
Palm Harbor’s Sam Mummau (14) prepares to step into the batter’s box against Osceola pitcher Chris Palmi. The Kowboys earned a split in the doubleheader as Palmi worked five innings of three-hit ball in the 2-1 win. (Photo Courtesy Carrie Palmi)

Palm Harbor’s Sam Mummau (14) prepares to step into the batter’s box against Osceola pitcher Chris Palmi. The Kowboys earned a split in the doubleheader as Palmi worked five innings of three-hit ball in the 2-1 win. (Photo Courtesy Carrie Palmi)

Kowboys hit field during spring break, earn doubleheader split

J. Daniel Pearson
Sunday, March 20, 2022
While most county high school teams were idle during spring break, Osceola used the week to bring some tough competition to its home campus. At the end of the week, Kowboys earned a win, a loss and a no contest in seeing their record go to 6-3 on the season.
Osceola defensive tackle John Walker (55) had 13 sacks and, with his linemates like Derrick LeBlanc (10)3, caused havoc for opposing offenses all season. They earned spots on the FloridaHSFootball.com All-State Team. PHOTO/JANA STULTZ

Osceola defensive tackle John Walker (55) had 13 sacks and, with his linemates like Derrick LeBlanc (10)3, caused havoc for opposing offenses all season. They earned spots on the FloridaHSFootball.com All-State Team. PHOTO/JANA STULTZ

Seven county players named to FloridaHSFootball.com All-State team

J. Daniel Pearson
Thursday, March 17, 2022
Seven Osceola County football players, based on the 2021 season, earned a nod to the FloridaHSFootball.com All-State team. It was compiled from a list of nominations from state coaches, player stats, MaxPreps rankings, team's strength of schedule and all-area selections from media.
Osceola County's football programs will be spread among three Suburban division districts, with at least one independent team.

Osceola County's football programs will be spread among three Suburban division districts, with at least one independent team.

New Metro/Suburban football districts announced

J. Daniel Pearson
Wednesday, March 16, 2022
When the FHSAA approved a new football playoff system Feb. 28, they warned football coaches and athletic directors that actual district re-alignment would take four to six weeks to figure out.
St. Cloud’s Bryan Smart, talking to his football team during summer 2021 workouts, will leave that post to become the Bulldogs’ athletic director. FILE PHOTO

St. Cloud’s Bryan Smart, talking to his football team during summer 2021 workouts, will leave that post to become the Bulldogs’ athletic director. FILE PHOTO

Smart moving from Bulldogs football coach to AD

J. Daniel Pearson
Wednesday, March 16, 2022
St. Cloud High School athletics saw a major shakeup this week, with veteran Athletics Director Eric Godfrey stepping down and being replaced by head football Coach Bryan Smart on June 1.
Celebration’s Zach Zelmanski carries the ball against Tohopekaliga in Thursday’s match of the county rivals. PHOTO/TIM ZELMANSKI

Celebration’s Zach Zelmanski carries the ball against Tohopekaliga in Thursday’s match of the county rivals. PHOTO/TIM ZELMANSKI

Storm, Tigers renew lacrosse rivalry

Ken Jackson
Tuesday, March 8, 2022
Celebration is again the high school lacrosse champion of Osceola County. Granted, just two teams play in the county, and they met Thursday for a de-facto county title, but it marks what coaches of both programs hope is the start of more players picking up a basket stick.
Southland Christian topped North Kissimmee Christian to win the NACA Divison III championship. SUBMITTED PHOTO

Southland Christian topped North Kissimmee Christian to win the NACA Divison III championship. SUBMITTED PHOTO

Southland Christian Division III NACA champs

Cindy Joint
Tuesday, March 8, 2022
The Southland (Flames) Christian School Varsity Basketball team just returned from Dayton, Tenn., after participating in the National Association of Christian Athletes (NACA) Boys Basketball National Championship.
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