Ocoee boys hoops celebrates program's first district title -- Observer Preps

by Jean Racine | Correspondent

MINNEOLA Heart and hustle was on full display by the Ocoee and East Ridge boys basketball teams in the FHSAA District 8A-5 title game Friday, but it was Ocoee that proved to be the victorious, 59-53, as the Knights claimed their first ever district title since the school opened in 2005.

“I’ve said it since day one two years ago; (when) we play hard and together, we’re pretty good,” said Ocoee head coach John "Sarge" Siers. “We had five guys that played hard, we had five guys that played together at the end. (East Ridge is) a heck of a team, they didn’t quit — but we stayed together.”

Ocoee was led in scoring by senior Eisley Porter, who finished with a game-high 20 points, and had the ball in his hands for most of the crucial possessions for the Knights.

“He’s been our best player all year,” Siers said.

East Ridge leading scorer Omar Morales, a junior, finished the game with a team-high 16 points. 

“He (Morales) got the hell beat out of him tonight, no calls were given to him.” said East Ridge head coach Mike Clutter. “How many times did he drive down the middle and get knocked to the floor and there’s no call? That’s my best scorer and best shooter, and when you don’t make a call on a kid like that, there’s something wrong.

East Ridge got down early in the first quarter, trailing Ocoee 18-8. They had to fight back the rest of the game.

Morales hit a three-pointer to bring East Ridge within one with 1:08 remaining in the game. But Ocoee’s leading man, Porter, would deliver for the Knights with a drive and layup to extend the lead to three points.

“I’ve said it since day one two years ago; (when) we play hard and together, we’re pretty good."

— John "Sarge" Siers, coach

Another key contributor for Ocoee was senior Angelo Fort, who finished the game with 13 points. He scored all of his points in the second half. After East Ridge scored four straight points to get within two with 2:00 left in the game, Fort drove to the rim and made a key layup for Ocoee.

“He’s a senior, he made a couple huge baskets; had one big take and a three,” Siers said. “He might be the second best shooter in the state of Florida.”

The big win for the program came in spite of the Knights not having one of their seniors in uniform. Six-foot-seven forward Wade Duffus did not play Friday, as Duffus is a Seventh Day Adventist and faithfully observes their Sabbath, which is from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday.

The Knights will now host a home playoff game on Thursday, February 16. Ocoee will take on Seminole County's Hagerty High.