Sports

Senior outfielder Grace Comiskey (sliding into third in last year’s district championship game) is one of the returning cogs in the St. Cloud Bulldogs lineup as they try to defend Orange Belt Conference and District 7A-6 titles. (Photo/Taylor McFee)

Senior outfielder Grace Comiskey (sliding into third in last year’s district championship game) is one of the returning cogs in the St. Cloud Bulldogs lineup as they try to defend Orange Belt Conference and District 7A-6 titles. (Photo/Taylor McFee)

SOFTBALL PREVIEW — OBC: A three-way race again?

J. Daniel Pearson
Thursday, February 26, 2026
Osceola, Harmony or St. Cloud has claimed all but one of the Orange Belt Conference softball championships since 1992.
St. Cloud Unified basketball coaches John Stump and Braxton Ansbaugh talk with players during a recent game. (Submitted Photo)

St. Cloud Unified basketball coaches John Stump and Braxton Ansbaugh talk with players during a recent game. (Submitted Photo)

St. Cloud High hosting—and playing in— state Unified Basketball championship Saturday

Ken Jackson
Thursday, February 26, 2026
St. Cloud will host—and again play in—the FHSAA Special Olympics Unified Basketball State Championships this weekend.The Bulldogs, the 2016, 2022 and 2024 state champs, will play Vero Beach on Saturday at 10:30 a.m. in the Division 2 title game.
The Gateway Panthers and point guard Alyssa Marino aim high, just like going for this loose ball, at a return trip to the Class 5A state tournament; a win Friday against New Smyrna Beach gets them there. (Photo/Taylor McFee)

The Gateway Panthers and point guard Alyssa Marino aim high, just like going for this loose ball, at a return trip to the Class 5A state tournament; a win Friday against New Smyrna Beach gets them there. (Photo/Taylor McFee)

Gateway 4 quarters from return to Final 4

J. Daniel Pearson And Ken Jackson
Thursday, February 26, 2026
A pair of convincing regional playoff victories set up the Gateway girls basketball team with a shot—the only one left among all Osceola County teams—at reaching the FHSAA state tournament in Jacksonville.The Panthers (25-3), who played in the Final 4 in 2023, will get a rematch in Region 5A-2...
Marco Pašalić and the Orlando City Soccer Club played a physical match to open the MLS season, won by the visitors, 2-1. (Photo/Mario Casamalhuapa)

Marco Pašalić and the Orlando City Soccer Club played a physical match to open the MLS season, won by the visitors, 2-1. (Photo/Mario Casamalhuapa)

MLS OPENER — Tiago's strike not enough as Red Bulls Edge Orlando

Mario Casamalhuapa
Sunday, February 22, 2026
In the 2026 Major League Soccer season opener for both teams, New York Red Bulls held on for a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Orlando City SC at Inter&Co Stadium, with Julian Hall's early strike and resolute defending enough to withstand a late Lions fightback that culminated in Tiago's dramatic...
Osceola's Luke McCrimon drives to the hoop for two of his 20 points in Saturday's 63-62 Class 7A regional semifinal loss to Tampa Plant. He and Jordan Mason (in the background) played their last games for the Kowboys. (Photo/Taylor McFee)

Osceola's Luke McCrimon drives to the hoop for two of his 20 points in Saturday's 63-62 Class 7A regional semifinal loss to Tampa Plant. He and Jordan Mason (in the background) played their last games for the Kowboys. (Photo/Taylor McFee)

Regional semifinal battles come down to crunch time

J. Daniel Pearson
Sunday, February 22, 2026
A frantic fourth period comeback fell one point short on Saturday night as Tampa Plant downed Osceola, 63-62, in a Class 7A, Region 3 semifinal on Nate Alexander Court.Just a bit to the east, City of Life saw its season end with a tough 59-55 loss to Donahue Christian in a 1A, Region 3 semifinal...
Sophomore Bella Davila scored 14 points in Gateway's 67-34 Class 5A regional semifinal playoff win Friday over Leesburg. (Photo/Taylor McFee)

Sophomore Bella Davila scored 14 points in Gateway's 67-34 Class 5A regional semifinal playoff win Friday over Leesburg. (Photo/Taylor McFee)

Gateway now just four quarters from the Final 4

J. Daniel Pearson
Friday, February 20, 2026
The Gateway Panthers (25-3) got exactly what they wanted Friday – a convincing 67-34 win over Leesburg (12-10) and a home game next week in the Class 5A girls regional basketball finals.A win in that game against New Smyrna Beach, a rematch of the tight District 5A-7 championship game won 51-46 by...
Winning the ball in the air, like this play in December's Orange Belt Conference tournament, has been key for defenders and midfielders like David Sabogal (2), Jesus Linares (3), Augusto Bustamonte (6), Luisangel Moreno (10) and Keandre Octave (22). (Photo/Taylor McFee)

Winning the ball in the air, like this play in December's Orange Belt Conference tournament, has been key for defenders and midfielders like David Sabogal (2), Jesus Linares (3), Augusto Bustamonte (6), Luisangel Moreno (10) and Keandre Octave (22). (Photo/Taylor McFee)

Gateway reaches boys soccer regional final for 1st time; one win from Final 4

Ken Jackson
Monday, February 16, 2026
Quietly, and as road warriors, Gateway's boys soccer team has made history this season, with more possibly to come.Thanks to a pair of 2-1 wins, over Auburndale and New Smyrna Beach, in the Class 5A regional playoffs, the Panthers (12-2-4) will play in their first-ever regional final Tuesday at 7...
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