In a high tempo, back and fourth 7A State Semifinal contest, it was Osceola who finished out in front of the 2014 champions Oviedo, 67-55.
The Kowboys (26-5) earned their edge in picking up loose balls and forcing the Lions to turn it over 21 times.
“Defense really held it down for us,” Osceola coach Nate Alexander said. “In the second half, our guys kept getting stops and did a great job on Matt [Milon].”
After back-to-back second chance put backs by Milon, the game was tied up at 46 with 7:35 to go in the fourth quarter.
The dagger came when Cortez Edwards drained a jumper to push the Kowboys out in front by 13 with under a minute to go.
Edwards led Osceola with 20 points, 13 rebounds and six assists.
Boston College signee Matt Milon had 25 points and seven rebounds for the Lions.
The last time Osceola was in the state basketball finals was 1983.
Osceola will meet Blanche Ely in the 7A State Championship game Saturday at 5:00pm.
The game will be televised live on BHSN CH 47/HD 1147 and BHSNLive.com.