Sports

Harmony High alum Chase Whitfield (53) was the long snapper on the 2023 Division II National Champion Harding University Bison. SUBMITTED PHOTO

Harmony High alum Chase Whitfield (53) was the long snapper on the 2023 Division II National Champion Harding University Bison. SUBMITTED PHOTO

Harmony grad Whitfield part of Division II Harding national championship

Chase Whitfield, who played his football at Harmony High School and was part of the Longhorns’ 2018 district championship team, will get a ring this spring as part of Harding University’s national champion Division II squad. The Bison defeated Colorado School of Mines, 38-7 on Dec.
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Osceola’s Heap wins at Knockout wrestling

Host Osceola sent three wrestlers to the finals of the prestigious Knockout Christmas Classic at the Silver Spurs Arena, and came away with one champion and two silver medals in an event that featured some of the top high school wrestling talent in the southeastern United States.
Osceola's Jalen Bell with his family at Friday's signing with FCS school Long Island. PHOTO/J. DANIEL PEARSON

Osceola's Jalen Bell with his family at Friday's signing with FCS school Long Island. PHOTO/J. DANIEL PEARSON

Osceola’s Bell signs with Long Island football

The Osceola News-Gazette’s Defensive Player of the Year is New York bound.  In a signing ceremony Friday afternoon at Osceola High School, Kowboys’ linebacker/defensive back Jalen Bell announced he would play his college ball for Long Island University.
When Osceola and St. Cloud line up for the 101st time next year, they'll be in District 6A-5 with Viera, Melbourne and Freedom. PHOTO/KATIE WILLIAMS

When Osceola and St. Cloud line up for the 101st time next year, they'll be in District 6A-5 with Viera, Melbourne and Freedom. PHOTO/KATIE WILLIAMS

New football districts announced; who's your favorite team in with?

The Florida High School Athletic Association presented football coaches and school athletic directors with a Christmas present – the new football district assignments for the 2024 and ’25 seasons.
Poinciana players hold the Kowboy Invitational Trophy aloft after defeating Chattahoochie (Georgia), 63-60 in overtime Thursday night. PHOTO/J. DANIEL PEARSON

Poinciana players hold the Kowboy Invitational Trophy aloft after defeating Chattahoochie (Georgia), 63-60 in overtime Thursday night. PHOTO/J. DANIEL PEARSON

Poinciana wins Kowboy Invitational hoops tourney

In basketball, sometimes you die by the free throw and sometimes you live by the free throw. Poinciana tried to do both Thursday night.
Osceola’s Anderson Heap (right), a two-time state champion, will be a top seed in the 150-pound class the Knockout Christmas Classic. PHOTO/J. DANIEL PEARSON

Osceola’s Anderson Heap (right), a two-time state champion, will be a top seed in the 150-pound class the Knockout Christmas Classic. PHOTO/J. DANIEL PEARSON

Knockout Classic returns To Silver Spurs mats this week

One of the nation’s premiere high school wrestling events returns to Silver Spurs Arena this week for the 11th Knockout Christmas Classic. Dec. 20-22. Action starts each morning at 8 a.m. and ticket prices are $20 (one day), $30 (two days) and $40 (tournament pass).
Daeqwon Plowden and the Osceola Magic will play in the NBA G League Winter Showcase, in front of NBA team executives, on Tuesday and Friday before taking a short holiday break. PHOTO/KATIE WILLIAMS

Daeqwon Plowden and the Osceola Magic will play in the NBA G League Winter Showcase, in front of NBA team executives, on Tuesday and Friday before taking a short holiday break. PHOTO/KATIE WILLIAMS

Osceola Magic qualify for NBA G League Showcase; here's when they play, how to watch

The NBA G League announced late Monday night that the Osceola Magic have qualified for its Winter Showcase and will play the South Bay (Calif.) Lakers tonight at 7:30 p.m. and the Sioux Falls (S.D.) Skyforce (the Miami Heat's affiliate) on Friday, Dec. 22 at 3:30 p.m.
Osceola Magic point guard Mac McClung shoots from the free-throw line in Saturday's 130-108 win over the Mexico City Capitanes. PHOTO/BOB PINCUS

Osceola Magic point guard Mac McClung shoots from the free-throw line in Saturday's 130-108 win over the Mexico City Capitanes. PHOTO/BOB PINCUS

Osceola Magic defeat Mexico City for home split heading into Showcase

By Bob Pincus For the News-Gazette Mac McClung and his Osceola Magic teammates wanted the chance to participate in the G-League Showcase Cup next week in Orlando. They did their part by beating the Mexico City Capitanes, 130-108, Saturday night at Silver Spurs Arena.
North Kissimmee Christian's Izaiah Noel (5) is guarded by Heritage Christian's Gavyn Gailfoil in Monday's 93-64 Lions win. PHOTO/KEN JACKSON

North Kissimmee Christian's Izaiah Noel (5) is guarded by Heritage Christian's Gavyn Gailfoil in Monday's 93-64 Lions win. PHOTO/KEN JACKSON

North Kissimmee Christian looks like an FCC contender again with 93-64 win over Heritage

Kissimmee is home to two member teams of the Florida Christian Conference, a collection of private, faith-based schools around the state. Over recent history, Heritage Christian and North Kissimmee Christian have had a say in who wins the conference title, if not won it.