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Here are scores and statistics from Thursday’s high school sports events. Check here for archived Varsity scores:
Girls Basketball
Regional quarterfinals
Winners advance to Tuesday region finals.
7A REGION 1
No. 1 Ocoee 43, No. 8 Lake Mary 39
No. 4 Spruce Creek 58, No. 5 Seminole 48
No. 2 Timber Creek 59, No. 7 DeLand 49
No. 3 West Port 46, No. 6 Creekside 40
Tuesday:
No. 3 West Port (17-8) at No. 2 Timber Creek (24-4)
No. 4 Spruce Creek (15-13) at No. 1 Ocoee (23-3)
7A REGION 2
No. 1 Dr. Phillips 81, No. 8 Fort Pierce Central 27
No. 5 Palm Beach Lakes 39, No. 4 Palm Beach Gardens 34
No. 6 St. Cloud 65, No. 3 Oak Ridge 62
Buzz: Savannah Kroener had 29 points for the Bulldogs (19-8) in the upset win, while Ariana Viera added 27 points. Sarah Jane had 20 points for the Pioneers (17-10).
No. 2 Centennial 57, No. 7 Jupiter 34
Tuesday:
No. 6 St. Cloud (19-8) at No. 2 Centennial (17-8)
No. 5 Palm Beach Lakes (14-8) at No. 1 Dr. Phillips (17-9)
6A REGION 1
No. 1 Tocoi Creek 68, No. 8 Winter Springs 34
No. 5 Forest at No. 4 Lake Howell
No. 2 Niceville 46, No. 7 Milton 28
No. 3 Bartram Trail 46, No. 6 Nease 39
Tuesday:
No. 3 Bartram Trail (17-8) at No. 2 Niceville (19-6)
FOR-LH winner at No. 1 Tocoi Creek (17-7)
6A REGION 2
No. 7 Armwood at No. 2 Horizon
No. 6 East River at No. 3 Edgewater
No. 1 Bloomingdale 66, No. 8 Viera 23
No. 4 Bayside 52, No. 5 Heritage 49
Tuesday:
No. 4 Bayside (20-7) at No. 1 Bloomingdale (21-5)
HOR-ARM winner vs. ER-EDG winner
5A REGION 2
No. 1 New Smyrna Beach 66, No. 8 Jones 20
No. 4 River Ridge 39, No. 5 Springstead 25
No. 2 Leesburg 78, No. 7 Wesley Chapel 54
Buzz: Ariyana Hester had 30 points for the Yellow Jackets (12-9) in the win, while Saige McCloud added 20 points.
No. 6 Lake Wales 55, No. 3 Kissimmee Gateway 52
Tuesday:
No. 6 Lake Wales (16-8) at No. 2 Leesburg (12-9)
No. 4 River Ridge (20-8) at No. 1 New Smyrna Beach (23-5)
4A REGION 2
No. 5 Lake Region at No. 4 Eustis
No. 1 Palm Bay 81, North Marion 22
No. 2 Bishop Moore 70, No. 7 Dunnellon 22
No. 3 Mulberry vs No. 6 Eastside
Tuesday:
MUL-EAS winner at No. 2 Bishop Moore (12-13)
LR-EUS winner at No. 1 Palm Bay (21-7)
3A REGION 2
No. 4 Lake Highland Prep 48, No. 5 Lakewood 45
Buzz: Ari Woodard and Eryn Griffin each scored 17 points for the Highlanders (14-12), while Myanna Hatchette added 10 points.
No. 2 Windermere Prep 54, No. 7 Clearwater Calvary 40
No. 1 Cardinal Mooney 67, No. 8 Cocoa 48
No. 3 The Villages Charter vs No. 6 Tampa Catholic
Tuesday:
VILL-TC winner at No. 2 Windermere Prep (20-7)
No. 4 Lake Highland Prep (14-12) at No. 1 Cardinal Mooney (20-9)
2A REGION 1
No. 2 The First Academy 55, No. 7 Master’s Academy 11
No. 4 Ocala Trinity 55, No. 5 Bishop Snyder 38
No. 1 Providence School 65, No. 8 Oak Hall 11
No. 3 San Jose Prep 67, Rocky Bayou Christian 27
Tuesday:
No. 3 San Jose Prep (14-9) at No. 2 The First Academy (23-4)
No. 4 Ocala Trinity (18-9) at No. 1 Providence School (21-6)
2A REGION 2
No. 5 Foundation Academy 33, No. 4 Edgewood 26
No. 6 Cornerstone at No. 3 Lakeland Christian
No. 1 Holy Trinity Episcopal 84, No. 8 Jupiter Christian 12
No. 2 John Carroll Catholic 38, No. 7 Oxbridge Academy 26
Tuesday:
No. 5 Foundation Academy (12-10) at No. 1 Holy Trinity Episcopal (20-6)
COR-LC winner at No. 2 John Carroll Catholic (17-4)
1A REGION 2
No. 8 Ormond Calvary at No. 1 CFCA
No. 7 St. Edward’s at No. 2 Mount Dora Christian
No. 3 Altamonte Christian 72, No. 6 Merritt Island Christian 32
No. 4 North Tampa Christian 49, Morningside Academy 36
Tuesday:
No. 4 North Tampa Christian (17-9) at OC-CFCA winner
MDC-STE winner vs. No. 3 Altamonte Christian (18-8)
Other non-FHSAA results:
Montverde Academy 77, Central Pointe Christian 30
Buzz: Saniyah Hall had 22 points for the Eagles (22-1) in the win, while Aaliyah Crump added 20 points.
Boys Basketball
Region quarterfinals
7A REGION 1
Wednesday:
No. 1 Creekside 75, No. 8 Lake Mary 53
No. 5 Seminole 52, No. 4 Orlando University 46
No. 2 Apopka 57, No. 7 Colonial 54
No. 3 Winter Park 46, No. 6 Lake Brantley 32
Monday
No. 3 Winter Park (20-7) at No. 2 Apopka (19-7)
No. 5 Seminole (18-8) at No. 1 Creekside (19-7)
7A REGION 2
Wednesday:
No. 1 Windermere 68, No. 8 Harmony 44
No. 5 St. Cloud 63, No. 4 Olympia 49
No. 2 Oak Ridge 77, No. 7 Centennial 70
No. 3 Wellington 85, No. 6 Fort Pierce Central 59
Monday
No. 5 St. Cloud (24-4) at No. 1 Windermere (23-5)
No. 3 Wellington (22-4) at No. 2 Oak Ridge (16-9)
7A REGION 3
Wednesday:
No. 1 Osceola 102, No. 8 Sarasota Riverview 75
No. 5 Tampa Plant 57, No. 4 Newsome 53
No. 2 Sarasota 81, No. 7 Poinciana 58
No. 6 Plant City 72, No. 3 Lehigh 63
Monday
No. 6 Plant City (19-8) at No. 2 Sarasota (26-2)
No. 5 Tampa Plant (20-7) at No. 1 Osceola (24-3)
6A REGION 1
Wednesday:
No. 1 Tocoi Creek 67, No. 8 Fletcher 54
No. 5 Milton 62, No. 4 Oviedo 59 (OT)
No. 2 Lake Howell 71, No. 7 Oakleaf 42
No. 3 Forest 67, No. 6 Crestview 57
Monday
No. 5 Milton (20-7) at No. 1 Tocoi Creek (25-3)
No. 3 Forest (22-5) at No. 2 Lake Howell (22-6)
6A REGION 2
Wednesday:
No. 1 Evans 65, No. 8 Gaither 27
No. 4 Bartow 71, No. 5 East River 62
No. 2 Edgewater 85, No. 7 Melbourne 44
No. 3 Viera 68, No. 6 Lake Minneola 54
Monday
No. 4 Bartow (20-8) at No. 1 Evans (22-6)
No. 3 Viera (22-4) at No. 2 Edgewater (19-8)
5A REGION 2
Wednesday:
No. 1 Leesburg 70, No. 8 Fivay 47
No. 4 Wesley Chapel 72, No. 5 Vanguard 68
No. 2 Lecanto 64, No. 7 New Smyrna Beach 46
No. 3 Auburndale 65, No. 6 Gateway 63
Monday
No. 3 Auburndale (22-6) at No. 2 Lecanto (25-3)
No. 4 Wesley Chapel (20-8) at No. 1 Leesburg (15-7)
4A REGION 2
Wednesday:
No. 1 Eustis 54, No. 8 Bishop Moore 36
No. 4 Alachua Santa Fe 53, No. 5 Liberty 51
No. 2 Atlantic 64, No. 7 Tavares 52
No. 3 North Marion 60, No. 6 Rockledge 36
Monday
No. 3 North Marion (18-8) at No. 2 Atlantic (21-7)
No. 4 Alachua Santa Fe (17-10) at No. 1 Eustis (19-8)
3A REGION 2
Wednesday:
No. 1 Villages 75, No. 8 Astronaut 23
No. 5 Discovery 79, No. 4 Clearwater Calvary 55
No. 2 Lake Highland Prep 55, No. 7 Berkeley Prep 38
No. 3 Tampa Catholic (19-9) 62, No. 6 Windermere Prep 57
Monday
No. 3 Tampa Catholic (20-9) at No. 2 Lake Highland Prep (23-4)
No. 5 Discovery (21-6) at No. 1 Villages (23-5)
2A REGION 1
Wednesday:
No. 1 University Christian 89, No. 8 Maclay 56
No. 4 Providence 49, No. 5 Bishop Snyder 41
No. 2 Master’s Academy 80, No. 7 P.K. Yonge 48
No. 3 The First Academy 67, No. 6 Faith Christian 43
Monday
No. 3 The First Academy (18-8) at No. 2 Master’s Academy (23-5)
No. 4 Providence (16-12) at No. 1 University Christian (20-8)
2A REGION 2
Wednesday:
No. 1 Santa Fe Catholic 65, No. 8 Oxbridge 27
No. 5 Benjamin 57, No. 4 Holy Trinity 51
No. 7 Cornerstone Charter 69, No. 2 Foundation Academy 59
No. 6 John Carroll 56, No. 3 St. John Paul II 50
Monday
No. 7 Cornerstone Charter (15-12) at No. 6 John Carroll (16-11)
No. 5 Benjamin (9-13) at No. 1 Santa Fe Catholic (20-8)
1A REGION 2
Wednesday:
No. 1 North Tampa Christian 74, No. 8 Florida Prep 33
No. 4 Legacy Charter 64, No. 5 Mount Dora Christian 59
No. 7 Orlando Christian Prep (9-15) at No. 2 CFCA (19-8)
No. 3 Zephyrhills Christian 63, No. 6 Altamonte Springs 49
Monday
No. 4 Legacy Charter (19-6) at No. 1 North Tampa Christian (22-6)
No. 3 Zephyrhills Christian (19-6) at No. 2 CFCA (20-8)
1A REGION 3
Wednesday:
No. 1 Victory Christian 75, No. 8 Cambridge 23
No. 4 City of Life Christian 73, No. 5 Gulf Coast HEAT 57
No. 2 Seacrest 56, No. 7 Sarasota Christian 48
No. 3 Donahue Catholic 52, No. 6 Brandon Academy 43
Monday
No. 4 City of Life Christian (15-8) at No. 1 Victory Christian (22-6)
No. 3 Donahue Catholic (21-4) at No. 2 Seacrest (16-8)
Other non-FHSAA results:
Southland Christian 81, DME Academy Blue 57
Buzz: Javon Chavez had 22 points for Southland (24-3), while Yasdiel Rodriguez had 18 points, Sebastian Rivera had 14 points and 7 assists and Kedwin Hawkins added 10 points and 10 rebounds. Ismael Perez chipped in with 12 rebounds and 7 assists.
Heritage Christian (Kissimmee) 77, Christian Learning Academy (Apopka) 52
Baseball
Apopka 4, Lyman 3
Buzz: Wyatt Jaggers had a walkoff solo home run for the Blue Darters (1-1) on Day 4 of the Big Blue Bonanza at Lake Brantley High School. Maddox Stinson pitched 3 no-hit innings in relief to get the win. Bryce Niebrugge went 2-for-3 with a double, run scored and an RBI for Lyman (0-3).
Lake Howell 4, Oviedo 1
Buzz: Diego Miranda pitched a complete-game 2-hitter for the SilverHawks on Day 4 of the Big Blue Bonanza at Lake Brantley.
Olympia 5, Dr. Phillips 2
Buzz: Sam Grande was 2-for-2 for Olympia, while Blake Moore had a triple and 2 RBI and Trace Furniss had 8 strikeouts in a complete game. Jose Diaz and Brody Cone each had a double and RBI for the Panthers in the loss.
Master’s Academy 9, Cornerstone Charter 1
Buzz: Brady Eichler went 2-for-2 with 3 runs scored for the Eagles (1-1), while Trey Seluk had a hit and 4 RBI and Preston Toth pitched 3 no-hit innings with 3 strikeouts.
Lake Highland Prep 10, West Port 0
Buzz: Alex Khalil was 2-for-2 with 2 runs scored for the Highlanders (2-2), while Landon Towns scored 3 runs and Reilly Diebel had a double and 2 RBI.
Freedom 4, Cypress Creek 3
Buzz: AJ Unruh had a hit, run scored and RBI for the Patriots (2-0) in the win, while Joel Santiago had 2 runs scored and Sebastian Castenada added a double.
East Ridge 12, Ocoee 2
Buzz: Haisum Osuna was 2-for-4 with 2 doubles, 2 runs scored and 3 RBI for the Knights (1-1), while Stephen Pineda and Matthew Dewoody had 2 hits, 2 runs and an RBI each.
Winter Springs 8, Deltona 1
Buzz: Ben Filler (7 strikeouts in 4 innings), Xavier Rodriguez (5 strikeouts in 2 innings) and Tristan Lopez (2 strikeouts in an inning) combined for a no-hitter for the Bears (2-0), while Luke Walters was 3-for-3 with a double and 2 RBI.
Foundation Academy 9, Montverde Academy 1
Buzz: Barak Boston went 3-for-3 with a double, 2 runs scored and 2 RBI for the Lions (2-0), while Chase Beasley had a home run and 2 RBIs and Evan Brothers added a triple and a run scored.
Orlando Christian Prep 9, Lake Mary Prep 3
Buzz: Jorge Martinez was 3-for-4 with a double, 2 runs scored and 4 RBI for OCP (1-0), while Carter Reis scored 4 runs from the leadoff spot. Landon Trauger was 2-for-4 with a double and 2 RBI.
Gateway 11, Poinciana 1
Buzz: Maicol Santiago was 2-for-4 with a run and 3 RBI for the Panthers (1-1), while Kaleb Bermudez had a hit, run and 2 RBI. Jacob Sosa had 2 hits for the Eagles (0-2) in the loss.
Hagerty 7, West Orange 3
Buzz: Aiden Kearney was 2-for-4 with a triple and 3 RBI for the Huskies (2-0), while Stephen Chucka scored 3 runs from the leadoff spot. Angel Martinez had 2 hits, a run scored and an RBI for the Warriors (1-1).
Wekiva 11, Circle Christian 0
Buzz: Jaden Graham went 2-for-3 with a double, triple, 2 runs and 2 RBI for the Mustangs (1-1), while Cody Bowen was 2-for-2 with 2 runs and 3 RBI.
South Lake 13, Tavares 11
Buzz: Cameron Allen was 2-for-3 with a run scored and 3 RBI for the Eagles (2-0) in the win, while Isaiah Pina went 2-for-5 with 2 runs and 2 RBI.
Winter Park 11, St. Cloud 1
Buzz: Pietro Pugliese was 2-for-2 with a double, run scored and 5 RBIs for the Wildcats (3-0), while Skyler Jersey had 2 hits and runs.
Other scores:
Central Pointe Christian 8, Tohopekaliga 3
Ocala Forest 12, Seminole 7
Horizon 1, Celebration 0
Boys Soccer
Region finals
Winners advance to FHSAA state tournament
7A REGION 1
No. 2 Timber Creek 1, No. 4 West Orange 0
7A REGION 2
No. 1 Lake Nona 4, No. 7 Jupiter 0
6A REGION 2
No. 2 Oviedo 3, No. 1 Wiregrass Ranch 3 (Oviedo won 4-3 in PKs)
4A REGION 2
No. 1 Bishop Moore 3, No. 3 Satellite 0
3A REGION 2
Friday:
No. 5 The Villages Charter (10-8-1) at No. 1 Lake Highland Prep (9-4-2), 5
No. 3 Calvary Christian (16-4) at No. 2 McKeel Academy (15-1-3), 7
Final: Wednesday at 7
2A REGION 2
Friday:
No. 3 Windermere Prep (14-2-2) at No. 2 Benjamin (16-2-1), 6
No. 4 King’s Academy (11-4-2) at No. 1 Holy Trinity Episcopal (16-0-1), 7
Final: Wednesday at 7 p.m.
1A REGION 2
Friday:
No. 5 International Community (17-5) at No. 1 The Pine School (14-1), 3:30
No. 3 Cambridge Christian (16-5-2) at No. 2 Orangewood Christian (11-3-1), 7
Final: Wednesday at 7
Girls Soccer
Region finals
Winners advance to FHSAA state tournament
7A REGION 1
No. 3 Lake Mary 1, No. 4 Winter Park 0
5A REGION 2
No. 2 Wesley Chapel Cypress Creek 1, No. 1 Innovation 0
4A REGION 2
No. 1 Bishop Moore 2, No. 3 Merritt Island 0
3A REGION 2
Friday:
No. 4 McKeel Academy (14-2-2) at No. 1 Monteverde Academy (18-1), 7
No. 3 Academy of the Holy Names (13-2-3) at No. 2 Lake Highland Prep (12-2-1), 7
Final: Wednesday at 7
2A REGION 2
Friday:
No. 3 Benjamin (7-5-3) at No. 2 Edgewood (9-3-3), 6
No. 4 Holy Trinity Episcopal (10-4-2) at No. 1 King’s Academy (14-3-4), 7
Final: Wednesday at 7
1A REGION 2
Friday:
No. 5 Geneva School (12-2-2) at No. 1 The Pine School (13-1-1), 4
No. 3 Victory Christian (15-5-1) at No. 2 All Saints Academy (11-3-1), 7
Final: Wednesday at 7
Boys Lacrosse
Melbourne Central Catholic 13, Colonial 1
Windermere 11, Lake Nona 1
Celebration 13, Horizon 7
Lake Howell 12, Tohopekaliga 2
Lake Minneola 17, Apopka 3
The First Academy 19, Edgewater 6
Girls Lacrosse
Viera 19, East Ridge 6
Hagerty 17, Lake Howell 8
St. Cloud 18, Lake Buena Vista 1
Oviedo 17, Lyman 1
Windermere 15, Celebration 6
Orangewood Christian 24, South Lake 15
Boys Water Polo
Bishop Moore 21, Lake Minneola 9
Buzz: Gabriel Ramirez had 10 goals, 6 assists and 6 steals for the Hornets (2-1), while Nico Castano added 4 goals, 2 steals and an assist and Sam Nunez had 14 saves at keeper.
Other scores:
Lake Nona 20, Orlando University 5
Girls Water Polo
Bishop Moore 22, Lake Minneola 7
Varsity content editor Buddy Collings can be contacted by email at bcollings@orlandoSentinel.com.
https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/02/13/fhsaa-high-school-scores-statistics-basketball-soccer-lacrosse-tennis-water-polo-february-13/
Miami Dolphins star wide receiver Tyreek Hill and Olympic sprinter Noah Lyles, amid a constant back-and-forth of trash talk about who’s faster, are finally going to settle it.
The two have agreed to a footrace, they revealed through a joint interview released Thursday night by People.com. Both Hill and Lyles posted the article on X with a few more jabs exchanged.
“It’s Time To End This Debate,” posted Lyles, who won Olympic gold in the 100-meter dash at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
“Time to shut your mouth and take your lunch money,” Hill responded.
Later Thursday night, Hill added: “Track world about to be in shambles.”
The race will take place sometime this spring or summer, according to People, before Lyles competes in the U.S. Championships in July. Along with the date, the location and distance is still to be determined.
The rivalry between the two speedsters in different sports turned up a notch in recent weeks when Lyles flashed a sign to the cameras that said “Tyreek could never” after winning his fourth consecutive 60-meter final at the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix on Feb. 2.
Lyles ran the 100 in 9.79 seconds in Paris last summer to claim Olympic gold.
Hill has been tracked as running a top in-game speed of 23.34 mph, but that was all the way back in 2016 as a rookie. He turns 31 on March 1, while Lyles is 27.
Hill, after failing to reach 1,000 receiving yards in 2024 and missing the Pro Bowl for the first time in his nine-year NFL career, has remained in the headlines in the month-plus since the Dolphins’ disappointing season came to an end.
Beyond his public feud with Lyles, he lashed out with a post-game locker room tirade after Miami’s season finale, saying he wanted to move on from the Dolphins. Ahead of last week’s Super Bowl, he recanted that sentiment and said he’d like to stay with the team.
https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/02/13/its-on-dolphins-star-tyreek-hill-olympic-sprinter-noah-lyles-finally-agree-to-race/
The Hurricanes rounded out their defensive staff by poaching a standout coach from rival Florida.
Miami is hiring Florida secondary coach Will Harris to coach defensive backs, a source told the South Florida Sun Sentinel.
Harris spent one season with the Gators. Under Harris, UF had the No. 83 pass defense in the nation, allowing 227.5 yards per game. Florida had 14 interceptions, which tied for 27th in the nation; UM had the same number of interceptions.
Prior to his season at Florida, Harris was an assistant secondary coach with the Los Angeles Chargers. He has also coached at Georgia Southern, Washington and San Jose State.
While at Washington, Harris helped coach several top players, including first-team All-Americans Byron Murphy and Taylor Rapp.
Harris, a California native, spent four seasons as a defensive back at USC.
Harris helped Florida land several key commits. He is listed as the primary recruiter for four-star prospects Ben Hanks Jr. and Lagonza Heyward and the secondary recruiter for five-star wide receiver Dallas Wilson and four-star safety Hylton Stubbs (who UF flipped from Miami), according to 247Sports.
Miami has also reportedly hired former Houston defensive backs coach Zac Etheridge to coach defensive backs and former UM defensive lineman Damione Lewis to coach defensive tackles, though Miami has not announced those hires or Harris.
https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/02/13/hurricanes-poach-defensive-backs-coach-will-harris-from-rival-gators/
Orlando City is set to complete its preseason preparation with a friendly match against Lionel Messi and Inter Miami.
The Lions will head down I-4 to Tampa for the high-profile match leading up to next weekend’s MLS season opener against the Philadelphia Union.
“The team has been training and preparing mentally and physically for our opening [match] against Philadelphia,” said coach Oscar Pareja. “But now we have this match against Miami that surely will provide us a good experience at the beginning of the season.”
Orlando City is trying to build on last season’s MLS Eastern Conference Final appearance. In Miami it’ll face a squad stacked with elite talent that always poses a threat. While stars Messi and Luis Suarez are not expected to play the full match, coach Javier Mascherano wants his players to compete for “as many minutes as possible.”
The Lions’ defense will look to take advantage of the time against such top talent as it prepares to start the regular season. Pareja is approaching this like a regular match, meaning he expects his team to bring intensity and determination that’s atypical for a preseason game.
“It’s great. The match, the caliber of the derby, the caliber of the players that we always play against, especially Miami, all these things that are involved in the game,” Pareja said. “[It’s] not just a friendly game, but a derby, a game against the team that is around our area, and so it’s good. It’s going to be great for us to play that one.”
The Lions have lost their all-time leading goal-scorer Facundo Torres in the offseason and need to replace his offensive output. New signing Marco Pasalic is expected to help carry the load, and he is joined by fellow new signings Eduard Atuesta and Nicolas Rodriguez.
Up next …
Orlando City vs. Inter Miami
When: 7:30, Friday, Raymond James Stadium in Tampa
TV: Apple
https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/02/13/orlando-city-inter-miami-lionel-messi-mls-exhibition-raymond-james-stadium/
To say the first 56 games have been a rollercoaster for the Magic would be an understatement.
Orlando has dealt with a plethora of injuries, used 21 starting lineups, gone on two six-game winning streaks, two five-game losing streaks, risen to as high as third in the East and as low as ninth and stood pat the trade deadline.
But they made it.
The Magic have reached the weeklong NBA All-Star break.
They can finally catch their breath.
“We’ve had about three seasons in one,” coach Jamahl Mosley said Wednesday night after his team had a big second half to capture a 16-point victory against the Hornets at Kia Center.
Added second-year guard Anthony Black: “We never lost our confidence, though, throughout all of the highs and the lows.”
Much like Orlando’s season to this point, however, Wednesday’s win vs. Charlotte didn’t come easily.
The 13-win Hornets, who were missing nine of their top 11 scorers, actually led at halftime. It took a 12-point third quarter from Paolo Banchero to help the Magic take control for good.
“The word we used was finish … Finish this game, finish the possessions, finish out strong,” Mosley said. “You saw the energy within the group, the spirit within the group, the pulling for one another, the communication. That’s what was asked for in this game. And they did it. That can give you the momentum going into the break, knowing what you’re capable of doing and how you have to play to get there.”
Beede’s Breakdown: How Magic found way in 2nd half to beat Hornets
How the Magic spend their break could be key. Some players will get out of the city while others might remain at home with friends and family.
Black, rookie Tristan da Silva and two-way guards Mac McClung and Trevelin Queen are headed to San Francisco for All-Star festivities. Black and da Silva will team up in the Rising Stars event and face McClung, who’s a part of the G League squad.
McClung also will go for the first three-peat in the NBA Slam Dunk contest while Queen will participate in the G League Up Next Game.
Regardless of how they spend the break, the Magic can refocus for the final stretch of the season.
“Rest your body, rest your mind [and] come back fresh for the last 26 games,” Franz Wagner said. “And then have the right mindset coming into every game knowing that, our situation, we can’t take any game for granted.”
Added Banchero: “It’s everyone’s personal responsibility to take the time that you need, but also be ready to go when you come back because we’re not in a position where we can relax. Guys got to come back and we’ve got to all be ready.”
That position was seventh in the East entering Thursday’s last five games. The Magic (27-29) were one spot ahead of No. 8 Miami thanks to their winning percentage, half-game in front of No. 9 Atlanta (26-29) and 2.5 games back of No. 6 Detroit (29-26).
While Orlando, Detroit and Atlanta were all done for break, Miami traveled to Dallas on the second night of a back-to-back Thursday.
Seeds 7-10 in each conference compete in the Play-In for the Nos. 7 and 8 seeds in the playoffs.
“Despite where we’re at, we’re actually in a good position to make a run in that second half of the year after All-Star break,” Black said.
Rest will be important for the entire group but especially Jalen Suggs, who missed his ninth straight game Wednesday with a left thigh contusion. He missed 18 of the last 19 games before the break after sitting out 10 because of a low back strain.
What awaits the Magic on the other side of the break is a sprint to the finish line.
Of their 26 games, 14 are home where they are 17-10. The other 12 come on the road, where they are 10-19.
The stretch includes a quick trip to Atlanta right out of break and a seven-game homestand (Feb. 21-March 6) followed by a five-game road trip (March 8-16).
The Magic end the regular season at Indiana on April 11 and at Atlanta two days later.
But if the last 26 games were anything like the first 56, there’s bound to be bumps along the way.
The Magic are used to it.
“We’ve had a lot of situations,” Mosley said. “It’s growth, it’s adversity, it’s leaning into the adversity and understanding how you can be better down the stretch. What it has done is given us a glimpse of what we can do when we are whole. And then it’s also given us a glimpse of when things difficult how we respond. This group has shown that they’re capable of doing that.”
Added Black: “We’ll come back charged up, and then we’ll start to hit our incline for the second half.”
Jason Beede can be reached at jbeede@orlandosentinel.com
Up next …
Magic at Hawks
When: 7:30, Feb. 20, State Farm Arena
TV: FanDuel Sports Network Florida
https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/02/13/orlando-magic-charlotte-hornets-paolo-banchero-franz-wagner-jalen-suggs-anthony-black-nba-east-all-star-break-analysis-kia-center-jamahl-mosley/
