Palermo dunk at buzzer gives Osceola thrilling win over Landry-Walker

WESTWEGO, La. – Best against best. State against state.

In a battle of defending state champions, the game did not disappoint.

Isaiah Palermo blocked a Landry-Walker shot with six seconds left, ran the floor and dunked home the game-winning basket with one second left to give defending Florida Class 9-A state champion Osceola High of Kissimmee, Florida a thrilling 49-47 victory over defending Louisiana Class 5-A state champion Landry-Walker in the quarterfinals of the Allstate Sugar Bowl National Prep Classic at the Alario Center.

The Chargin’ Bucs had the ball and Shadon Green got in the paint but Palermo blocked his shot, leading to the winning basket. The Kowboys outscored Landry-Walker 18-10 in the decisive fourth quarter for the win.

In a defensive opening quarter, Landry-Walker took a 10-9 lead. The Chargin’ Bucs held the lead despite eight turnovers in the quarter.

Landry-Walker went on runs of 6-0 and 5-0 in the second quarter to take a 23-18 lead at halftime. The Chargin’ Bucs had 11 turnovers in the half while Osceola had 10 turnovers in the half.

The Chargin’ Bucs opened the third quarter on a 7-0 run to open up a 30-18 lead but the Kowboys came back with a 7-0 run of their own and cut the deficit to 37-31 going to the final quarter.

Palermo finished with 10 points and four rebounds. Josh Marte led Osceola (13-2) with 17 points while Armani Thomas had 10 points. Dejuan Griffin was the only player in double figures for the Chargin’ Bucs (15-6) with 11 points while Jamond Vincent had eight points and Green scored seven.

Osceola advances to play the winner of Helen Cox and Karr in the semifinals Friday at 8:30 p.m

Final
Landry-Walker 10 13 14 10 47
Osceola (FL) 9 9 13 18 49

Scoring
LW—Dejuan Griffin 11, Jamond Vincent 8, Shadon Green 7, Breshaun Delpit 7, Semaj Matthews 7, Tory Cargo 4

OH—Josh Marte 17, Armani Thomas 10, Isaiah Palermo 10, Jaduhkiss Soto 8, Josh Champan 3, Jeremiah Palermo 1