Sports

Harmony High's flag football team played in the Class 4A state semifinals last season. Based on their ranking, the Longhorns would have been eligible for a new Open Division approved by the FHSAA had it been in place in 2026. (Photo/Taylor McFee)

Harmony High's flag football team played in the Class 4A state semifinals last season. Based on their ranking, the Longhorns would have been eligible for a new Open Division approved by the FHSAA had it been in place in 2026. (Photo/Taylor McFee)

FHSAA institutes Open Division for elite state teams in 10 sports

J. Daniel Pearson
Monday, June 15, 2026
A definitive answer to the age-old question of who truly has the best high school football team in the state may actually be settled this year, as the Florida High School Athletic Association announced a new Open Division this past week.
New Gateway High Coach Ramses Kelly has experience coaching and both the high school and foreign professional level. (Submitted Photo)

New Gateway High Coach Ramses Kelly has experience coaching and both the high school and foreign professional level. (Submitted Photo)

Ramses Kelly takes over GHS girls hoops

Ken Jackson
Thursday, June 11, 2026
The Gateway High girls basketball program will look to continue its successful ways going forward as Ramses Kelly has been named the Panthers’ head coach.
Included in Gateway point guard Alyssa Marino’s four-year Panther varsity career is two trips to the Class 5A Final Four, 1,427 career points and a county-record 675 assists.

Included in Gateway point guard Alyssa Marino’s four-year Panther varsity career is two trips to the Class 5A Final Four, 1,427 career points and a county-record 675 assists.

ALL-COUNTY GIRLS BASKETBALL — Marino, Panthers dominated county, district, region

J. Daniel Pearson
Thursday, June 11, 2026
Last season was historic for the Gateway Lady Panthers basketball team. Not only did it set a school record with 26 wins, but the team made a deep postseason run leading to a second trip to the Class 5A Final Four in four years.
The Kissimmee Youth Baseball U-18 All Star Team is set to head to Lake City this week for the Florida State Babe Ruth state baseball tournament. (Submitted Photo)

The Kissimmee Youth Baseball U-18 All Star Team is set to head to Lake City this week for the Florida State Babe Ruth state baseball tournament. (Submitted Photo)

Team of local All-Stars headed to Babe Ruth State baseball tournament; bid to World Series on the line

Staff Report
Sunday, June 7, 2026
The Kissimmee Youth Baseball U-18 All Star Team is set to head to Lake City this week for the Florida State Babe Ruth state baseball tournament. Winning there will mean a trip to the Regionals in mid-July, with a berth in the Babe Ruth World Series in Branson, Missouri on the line.
Players from the Loco Coconuts and Party Animals gathered to pray before Friday’s Banana Ball game. (Photo/ Taylor McFee)

Players from the Loco Coconuts and Party Animals gathered to pray before Friday’s Banana Ball game. (Photo/ Taylor McFee)

Bananas Foster—faith on the field through baseball

Robert Pincus
Sunday, June 7, 2026
Hours before the wholesome family environment of Banana Ball took over ESPN Disney’s Wide World of Sports for two sold-out shows this weekend, the Washington Nationals’ director of communications was fired for blackballing pitcher Trevor Williams from social promotions due to his religious beliefs.
Harmony High alum Cade Walter was second in home runs and runs scored in his redshirt freshman season this spring at Jacksonville University. (Photo/ Bruce Wilson, Jr.)

Harmony High alum Cade Walter was second in home runs and runs scored in his redshirt freshman season this spring at Jacksonville University. (Photo/ Bruce Wilson, Jr.)

Where are they now? County grads making strides at the next athletic level

J. Daniel Pearson
Thursday, June 4, 2026
Here’s another update on how former Osceola County athletes are performing at the next level:If you were watching ESPNU two weekends ago before the college softball and baseball tournaments started, you could have been watching former Harmony High standout and 2025 Orange Belt Conference Female...
Party Animals pitcher Garett Delano shows Banana Ball isn’t your dad’s or granddad’s baseball ... (Photo by Taylor McFee)

Party Animals pitcher Garett Delano shows Banana Ball isn’t your dad’s or granddad’s baseball ... (Photo by Taylor McFee)

‘Banana Ball’— fan-first vision visits Osceola County

Robert Pincus
Thursday, June 4, 2026
The LoCo Beach Coconuts hosted the Party Animals at ESPN’s Disney Wide World of Sports on Friday and Saturday nights in a Banana Ball Championship League game.
San Antonio Spurs assistant coach Sean Sweeney will replace Jamahl Mosley, who was fired following the team's seven-game playoff series loss to the Detroit Pistons in last month's Eastern Conference quarterfinals. (Graphic/OrlandoMagic.com)

San Antonio Spurs assistant coach Sean Sweeney will replace Jamahl Mosley, who was fired following the team's seven-game playoff series loss to the Detroit Pistons in last month's Eastern Conference quarterfinals. (Graphic/OrlandoMagic.com)

It's official: Spurs' assistant Sean Sweeney is Orlando Magic's next head coach

Ken Jackson
Monday, June 1, 2026
While he won't be able to check out the new digs for a bit, the Orlando Magic officially have a new head coach.
After averaging a double-double this season, North Kissimmee Christian’s Noah Flagg was selected by PHD Hoops to play for Team USA on the Paris World Tour, an international showcase taking place in France this summer. (Submitted Photo)

After averaging a double-double this season, North Kissimmee Christian’s Noah Flagg was selected by PHD Hoops to play for Team USA on the Paris World Tour, an international showcase taking place in France this summer. (Submitted Photo)

St. Cloud’s Flagg representing Team USA in Paris on the court

Robert Pincus
Thursday, May 28, 2026
Many kids playing sports dream to represent the United States of American in an international tournament. St.
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