By:  J. Daniel Pearson

Despite a heroic effort in the final seconds, Osceola could not overcome a cold third period and saw its basketball season end with a 64-61 loss to Sarasota in the Class 7A, Region 3 final on Thursday night.

The loss ended Osceola’s dream season (25-4) one game short of making the Final Four.  Sarasota (28-2) advances to face #1 ranked Miami Columbus in the semifinals.

Despite trailing by as many as eight in the fourth quarter, the Kowboys fought back and had a chance to win the game at the end.  Down by six with less than 90 seconds remaining, Luke McCrimon hit a three to cut the lead to Sarasota lead to 58-55.  Osceola’s pressure defense would force a turnover and Jordan Isaac hit a layup to make it a one point game.

Osceola quickly called timeout to set up its defense and on the ensuing play, the Kowboys knocked the ball loose and Jordan Mundle dove on the loose ball.  Before Sarasota could tie him up, Osceola called another timeout from the bench.

Unfortunately, they had used their last timeout on the previous play, resulting in a technical foul on the Kowboys.  Oliver Boyle stepped to the line and calmly knocked down the two shots and Sarasota retained possession.  Osceola was forced to foul and Oliver again made both free throws to push the lead to 62-57.

A Luke McCrimon three cut the lead to 62-60 but Osceola was forced to foul again and Harrison Hawke made both free throws to ice the game.

“This loss is on me,” Osceola coach Steve Mason said.  “Our kids fought so hard to get back into the game and then they don’t get a chance to win.  I really thought we had one (timeout) left.”

The timeout call was not the sole reason for the loss, however.

Osceola posted a strong first half and led by as many as 11.   Jordan Mundle would score 13 points in the half, including a three at the buzzer as Osceola took a 35-26 lead into the locker room.

But they could not maintain that momentum into the third.

Sarasota opened with a 7-0 run to start the period and the Kowboys managed to hit just two of 12 field goal attempts in the period as the Sailors took a 45-40 lead after three.

Although Osceola limited Sarasota to just one field goal in the final eight minutes, key free throw shooting by the Boyle and his teammates also cost the Kowboys a chance at the win.  Led by Boyle’s 10 for 10 from the line in the fourth, Sarasota was a perfect 16 of 16 from the line in the period and 21 of23 in the game.  “Remarkable free throw shooting by them,” Mason said.  Given the importance and intensity of the game to hit 16 in a row on the road was more than impressive.”

Jack Lackoff led Sarasota in scoring with 18.  McCrimon had 17 for Osceola, Mundle added 16 and Mason chipped in 13 .