Top area teams to compete in Classic

Defending state champion Timber Creek and state runner-up Hagerty are among 14 area baseball teams taking part in “The Classic” Florida League High School Invitational next week in Sanford.

Sanford Memorial Stadium and Seminole High School will host 20 teams during a five-day span beginning Monday. Three pool-play winners and one wild-card team advance to semifinals Thursday at 4:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. The championship will be played Friday at 7 p.m.

Timber Creek, which won last year’s Class 9A state title, opens pool play against West Boca Raton on Monday at 7 p.m. The Wolves are joined in Pool A by Olympia, Colonial, Mount Dora, Leesburg and Seminole.

Hagerty enters the invitational undefeated at 10-0 a year after placing second in the state in Class 8A. The Huskies face East River on Monday at 2 p.m. Orlando University, Seminole Ridge, Palm Beach Central and Suncoast round out teams in Pool C.

Lake Minneola and Winter Springs start “The Classic” Monday at 9 a.m. Ocoee, Montverde Academy, Orangewood Christian, Royal Palm Beach and Jacksonville University Christian round out Pool B. Leesburg and both are contenders for the 6A prize, as is Bishop Moore junior Dora for Oak seniors

McDonald’s All-American is the big name on the six-player 3A list, which also includes Lake Mary Prep senior and Mount Christian senior

Edgewater senior is on the Class 8A ballot while senior of Daytona Beach Father Lopez made the 7A list. The 5A finalists include Lake Highland Prep senior and Villages Charter junior Master’s Academy senior is up for the 4A honor. CFCA senior is the area contender the 2A award. And the 1A player of the year as a junior, is back in the running for that prize in the rural division. The player of the year in each class becomes a finalist for the Mr. Basketball award. Coach of the year candiates from area schools are: Class 9A: Boone; Ridge; Osceola; Seminole; West Orange. Class 8A: Edgewater. Class 7A: Mainland. Class 6A; Leesburg; Jim Yarbrough, Bishop Moore. Class 5A: Lake Highland Prep. Class 4A: Master’s Academy. Class 3A: OCP; Steven Hayes, Mount Dora Christian. Class 2A: CFCA. Class 1A: Wildwood.