Sports

New Celebration football coach Jed Ebersole comes from Lake Buena Vista High, where he coached an improved defense last year. PHOTO/LAKE BUENA VISTA HIGH

Celebration, Poinciana name new football coaches

J. Daniel Pearson And Ken Jackson

Monday, January 8, 2024

Celebration and Poinciana have named new football coaches. Jed Ebersole and Taron Mallard will lead the Storm and Eagles – and they’re slated to meet in the 2024 regular season opener. Ebersole, 40, replaces Jeremy Palmer, who went 2-18 in his two seasons at the helm.

Harmony’s Vlad Torrado goes up for a shot, and Gateway’s Sebastian Vazquez provides the physical defense, in Friday’s Longhorns win that spoiled the grand opening of the new Panther gym. PHOTO/KATIE WILLIAMS

Gateway opens new gym with hoops split

J. Daniel Pearson

Saturday, January 6, 2024

Visiting Harmony used a 12-2 run to start the third quarter and then held on for 57-47 win over host Gateway on Friday night.

Karolyna Adam’s stellar play in the post-season helped lead St. Cloud High School to fourth place at the FHSAA Class 3A State Tournament in November. PHOTO/RYAN ADAMS

ALL-COUNTY GIRLS GOLF — Adams led Lady Bulldogs to new heights

J. Daniel Pearson

Thursday, January 4, 2024

If you are named Player of the Year in an individual sport, it would be understandable to hear a bit of ego or at least a little pride from the recipient.

An all-around force, Osceola sophomore Cate Palmi was among the state leaders in kills and aces on a Kowboys’ team that reached the Class 7A volleyball regional final. PHOTO/KATIE WILLIAMS

ALL-COUNTY GIRLS VOLLEYBALL — Cate Palmi, Osceola teammates dominate All-County Team

J. Daniel Pearson

Wednesday, January 3, 2024

For a second consecutive year and by a wide margin, Osceola was the county’s best high school girls’ volleyball team. Its spectacular sophomore outside hitter, Cate Palmi, is the Osceola News-Gazette Girls Volleyball Player of the Year, and five teammates were All-County selections.

The Osceola Magic's Brandon Williams was signed to an NBA Two-Way contract by the Dallas Mavericks Thursday. PHOTO/KATIE WILLIAMS

Osceola Magic beats Knicks after Dallas Mavericks sign Brandon Williams

Staff Report

Sunday, December 31, 2023

The Osceola Magic defeated the Westchester Knicks at the Westchester County Center 138-130 on Saturday in the first game of the regular season. Games play up to this point served as qualifying for the NBA G League's Winter Showcase, and records reset for the season that will run through May.

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

Ken Jackson

Thursday, December 28, 2023

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.

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Osceola’s Heap wins at Knockout wrestling

J. Daniel Pearson

Wednesday, December 27, 2023

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 Bell signs with Long Island football

J. Daniel Pearson

Saturday, December 23, 2023

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

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

Ken Jackson

Friday, December 22, 2023

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