Osceola Fends Off St. Cloud Rally, Wins Back-to-Back OBC Boys Basketball Titles

By: J. Daniel Pearson

Osceola build a big first half lead but had to hold off several rallies — defeating rival St. Cloud 73-60 — to defend their Orange Belt Conference boys basketball championship on Friday night at Gateway High School.

Now 16-4 overall and winners of 10 straight, Osceola used eight first quarter points by Jordan Mason to jump out to a quick 23-16 lead. Mason, a senior, drove to the basket at will in the first stanza – making layups or drawing fouls.

“Jordan’s never been afraid to take the ball to the paint,” head coach Steve Mason said. “But he told me before the game that he didn’t think anyone from St. Cloud could stay in front of him, so it was by design.”

The Kowboys onslaught continued with an 11-1 run to open the second stanza, as Osceola extended the lead to 34-17 and forced a St. Cloud timeout. From there, Bulldogs head coach Tommy Billiteri switched up his defense, which was successful in slowing the Kowboys down.

JJ Barnett scored 13 points and Diomar Ortiz added six in the first half as St. Cloud reduced the deficit to 14 at the half, 42-28. That momentum extended into the third, as the Dogs went on a 7-0 run to cut the gap to seven, 42-35. A three by Jahmer Hill and a couple of Mason baskets pushed the lead back to 10 but with time running down Zeus Howard came up with a loose ball by Osecola’s foul line, took a quick dribble and heaved a 3/4-court length shot that found nothing by net for three points — cutting the lead back to seven, 53-46.

St. Cloud hung tough for the first six minutes of the final quarter to keep within striking distance. Back-to-back baskets by Elias Torres made it 63-59, but Osceola’s Ryan Rodriguez pushed the lead back to six with a pair of free throws.

Two-time Osceola Player of the Year Luke McCrimon, who had 20 points for the Kowboys, then fouled out with a minute to go. Ortiz followed by making one of two free throws to cut the margin to five with 45 seconds remaining.

But that would be as close as the Bulldogs would get.

Mason scored the final six points for Osceola and Helio Quinan came up with two key rebounds and two steals in the final minute, as Osceola finished on an 8-0 run. Mason led all scorers with 25 points, Hill added 13.

Free throw shooting was a big key for Osceola. Led by Hill (6 for 6) and Mason (5 for 5), the Kowboys hit 16 of 17 from the charity stripe.

“Tonight was a good example of the importance of senior leadership,” Coach Mason added. “We were able to build a big lead, but when things got tight – our seniors took over the game. Give St. Cloud a ton of credit, they made adjustments, fought back and never quit.”

The Bulldogs fell to 13-5 on the season and were led with 17 points by Torres; while Nate Thompson and Barrett had 13 each. “Really proud of how we fought back tonight,” Billiteri said. “I thought we were in good position most of the night but they were making shots and we weren’t getting the stops we needed. You can learn a lot of a loss and we’ll rebound and get ready for districts.”

In winning back-to-back OBC titles, Osceola has now won eight of the last nine conference championships. Osceola played the game without 6-10 center Kaiden Zenker, who they hope to get back in time for the post-season.

“I like how we are playing right now,” Coach Mason added. “We have some tough games left on our schedule, but the goal is to keep the momentum going and enter the post-season with the highest ranking possible.”

Osceola entered the week ranked ninth in Class 7A and were ranked second in Region 3.

2925 OBC Boys Basketball Championships

Quarterfinals (1/13)

Celebration 59, Liberty 42

Harmony 61, Tohopekaliga 51

Osceola 95, Gateway 37

St. Cloud 73, Poinciana 37

Semifinals (1/15)

Osceola 60, Harmony 53

St. Cloud 64, Celebration 39

Consolation Round (1/15)

Poinciana 81, Liberty 63