PHOTOS: Windermere claims first district title in 70-51 win over Ocoee | Observer Preps

In a night filled with blistering-paced basketball for Windermere, the Wolverines blitzkrieged their way to their first district title in basketball with a 70-51 win over Ocoee in the 8A, District 5 championship game on Friday night.

While the game remained tight throughout the first half, with the Knights (17-11) only down 26-21 at the break, the second half would prove to be the true turning point in a game defined by its match ups.

“I thought Ocoee just poses some problems because they’re so big, and we can play big, but all year we played four guards around a big,” said Windermere head coach Mark Griseck. “It was kind of chess match with Sarge (John Siers) and I, and they did a good job, but then we were able to get a run and six straight stops. Then we scored at the other end and that blew the game open.”

The Wolverines’ second-half offensive explosion was led by sophomore guard Trey Moss, who picked up 24 of his 31 points in the latter half. Moss nailed 11 of his 12 field goal attempts, and went 7-for-7 from the charity stripe.

When you throw in senior Dakota Rivers’ 20 points, the two Wolverines (24-4) matched Ocoee’s total scoring offensive output by themselves.

For Ocoee head coach John Siers, the matchup just had too many hurdles to overcome — especially later in the game.

“We’re down five at halftime, and we miss five free throws,” Siers said. “We got out-coached — Griseck out-couched us tonight. I didn’t put our guys in a position to be successful and then Trey Moss goes NASA… he’s phenomenal, because he’s not only a great player, but he is a better kid. Hopefully we come back here next Tuesday night.”

The Knights were led by junior guard Sadeem Blake, who picked up 15 points, six rebound and four blocks. Kordell Brown would add 13 points, while David Green had 12 points of his own.

The good news — for both teams — is that by simply making the district both Windermere and Ocoee have sealed up a spot in the state playoffs.

“We’ll prepare — luckily we don't play until Thursday, which gives us some time,” Griseck said. “We will practice Monday, then get a few days before we get to play at home.”