By: J. Daniel Pearson
Positively Osceola
Yogi Berra once said that it was “like Déjà vu all over again.” It certainly felt that way during Osceola’s 63-62 Class 7A, Regional 3 semifinal loss to Plant on Saturday night on Nate Alexander Court. The similarities between Saturday night’s game and last year’s season-ending 64-61 loss to Sarasota were uncanny.
Like that game, Osceola looked comfortable with a halftime lead, fell behind with a dismal third quarter, watched helplessly as the opponent made practically every free throw attempt in sight, and then saw a furious fourth quarter rally fall just short.
Both teams played extremely well in the first half. Plant made 52% of their field goal attempts and Osceola shot the ball at a 48.1% clip. The Panthers took an 18-12 lead after one, but the Kowboys rallied behind Luke McCrimon’s 14 points to grab a 34-31 advantage at intermission. It what was somewhat reminiscent of Osceola’s big first half against Sarasota in the regional final last year, Osceola used a big second quarter to lead by nine at the half.
But the comparisons really kicked in during the third period.
Plant opened with a 10-2 run, scored 14 points in the paint and at the foul line; while the Kowboys managed just seven points in the period to fall behind, 48-41. Osceola was outscored in the period 17-7; again a mirror image of the Sarasota game 12 months ago where the Sailors won the third period 19-5.
Osceola would rally in the final stanza. Trailing 51-44 with just 5:04 remaining, Jordan Mason would hit a layup, make a steal and hit another to close the gap to 51-50. After a timeout, Plant hit a few quick buckets to extend the lead back to five.
It would remain close but when Abram Clements made two free throws, Plant extended the lead to 64-60 with just under 10 seconds remaining. Coming out of a timeout, Osceola hustled the ball up court and Helio Quinan nailed a three-pointer to make it 64-63 with three second left.
The game ended in confusion as Plant inbounded the ball and Jordan Mason appeared to draw a charge. However, after a lengthy discussion, the officials ruled the clock had expired before the foul and the game was over. “During the timeout, I told our guys that if we made a three to foul immediately before they could get the ball inbounds. That way, regardless of whether they made the free throws or not, we would have a chance for a tying or winning three,” Coach Mason said. “Helio made the three and we fouled, but the official either didn’t see the foul or ignored it. When they got the ball in, they ran out the clock.”
Plant’s work at the free throw line was the deciding factor in the game; and also was a stark reminder of last year’s season ending loss to Sarasota. Plant made their first 15 foul throws against the Kowboys and 17 of 19 in the game. Sarasota made their first 12 against Osceola and 21 of 23 for the game.
“We will offer no excuses,” Coach Mason said. “When you don’t play your best in the playoffs, you lose and we didn’t play very well. Give Plant credit, they moved the ball well, took advantage of their inside game and made their free throws.”
Despite the loss, Mason said he was extremely proud of his team and his seniors. “Could not be pleased with these seniors, including our three-year starters Luke, Jordan and Helio,” Coach Mason added. “In three years they finished with two OBC and two district championships to go with three regional appearances, an elite eight and sweet 16.”
Those three leave Osceola with a combined record of 61-23, including a 27-10 mark over the last two years.
Luke McCrimon and Mason led the way with 20 and 17 points respectively. Quinan added 13 in his final appearance. Plant (23-6), placed four players in double figures, including Jonah Daniel (16); Brayden Galuski and Makos Morrison added 13 each and Clements finished with 14.
Over at City of Life, the Warriors (22-7) saw their season end with a tough 59-55 loss to Donahue Christian in a 1A, Region 3 semifinal. COLCA fell behind 11-0 at the start of the game but battled back.
Sam Perez led City of Life with 19 points; while senior Jahkeema King had 16 points and seven rebounds.
“Donahue was a really well-coached team and jumped on us early,” COLCA Coach Wendell Perez said. “Our guys did a great job of battling back and cutting the deficit to five at the half. Still, it was a great season for us. We won 22 games and won the SSAA State Championship for the first time in school history and won our first FHSAA Regional game.”
Although county boys teams lost, the Gateway girls team will have a chance to reach the Final Four when they host New Smyrna Beach in a Class 5A Regional Championship game on Friday night.
