Five central Florida teams, many of whom know each other well, will battle in Pool C. Don't count out the lone east coast representative in the pool, though. Pitching may take center stage, with three high D1 commits taking the mound.
American Heritage
Location: Delray Beach, Florida
Head Coach: Carm Mazza
2021 Record: 17-11
Playoff Finish: Regional Quarterfinals
Key Players:
Marco Bellantoni, OF, c/o 2022 (ASA College commit)
Matthew Lapira, LHP, c/o 2023 (North Carolina commit)
Anthony Tralongo, SS, c/o 2024 (Auburn commit)
A perrenial contender in Florida's class 3A, longtime coach Carm Mazza brings one his younger teams to Seminole County. Don't mistake younger for less talented, though, as American Heritage will bring one of the top sophomores in the nation in Auburn commit Anthony Tralongo, who is ranked among the top 50 sophomores in the nation, and the best 2024 third base prospect in Florida. The Stallions have won five regional titles in the past 20 years, including trips to the state finals in 2012 and 2019, and this is the same program that produced 2021 MLB Rookie of the Year Jonathan India, the 2015 FHSI Classic Tournament MVP.
Deltona
Location: Deltona, Florida
Head Coach: Mike Rood
2021 Record: 11-11
Playoff Finish: District Semifinals
Key Players:
Rafi Betancourt, IF, c/o 2022 (South Florida commit)
Johnnie Lopez, IF, c/o 2022 (Florida International commit)
Matt Colon, LHP, c/o 2023 (Florida International commit)
Tristan Almodovar, IF, c/o 2022 (Olivet Nazarene commit)
Deltona comes into the FHSI led by a trio of Division I commits. Head coach Mike Rood says his team comes into the season with a strong offense, but will also play good, solid defense. The Wolves do boast a top of the line starter in FIU commit Matt Colon, as well as two Division I infielders in seniors Rafi Betancourt and Johnnie Lopez. The 2021 Classic will be Deltona's third trip to the Florida League High School Invitational.
Dr. Phillips
Location: Orlando, Florida
Head Coach: Will King
2021 Record: 16-9
Playoff Finish: District Champions, Regional Quarterfinalists
Key Players:
Jared Davis, SS, c/o 2022 (West Virginia commit)
Dr. Phillips enters the 2022 season with high expectations, coming off a district championship season in 2021. The Panthers return a large group of seniors from that group, and head coach Will King states "we have solid depth on the mound and will be competitive at the plate from top to bottom." The most notable player of that group of seniors is senior shortstop Will Davis, ranked as a top 25 shortstop in Florida's senior class and pledged to play next season at West Virginia.
Timber Creek
Location: Orlando, Florida
Head Coach: Tim Beaman
2021 Record: 15-10
Playoff Finish: District Semifinalists
Key Players:
Fabian Amaro, C, c/o 2022 (UAB commit)
Riley Hansen, OF, c/o 2022 (St. Leo commit)
Head coach Tim Beaman has had great success in his time at Timber Creek, winning four regional championships and the school's first state title in 2017. This edition of the Wolves is a younger one, despite a Division I commit in the senior class. Beamen states much of the team's youth comes in the pitching staff, although Timber Creek does have a number of capable young arms to go with what Beamen refers to as the team's strength, which is their defense and team speed.
West Orange
Location: Winter Garden, Florida
Head Coach: Rob Sidwell
2021 Record: 19-8
Playoff Finish: Regional Quarterfinalists
Key Players:
Will Ross, RHP, c/o 2022 (Florida commit)
Titan Kamaka, IF, c/o 2022 (Florida State commit)
Cam Anstey, IF, co 2022 (Air Force commit)
Led by the former head coach of the Florida Collegiate Summer League's Winter Park Diamond Dawgs, West Orange looks to be a major factor come playoff time. Much of those high hopes are on the right arm of Florida commit Will Ross, who is listed as one of the top ten righthanded pitching prospects in the senior class in the state of Florida. Sidwell stated the Warriors have "an experienced group of seniors," with quite a few returners from last season's 19-8 ballclub.
Winter Springs
Location: Winter Springs, Florida
Head Coach: Mike Bradley
2021 Record: 13-14
Playoff Finish: District Champions, Regional Quarterfinalists
Key Players:
Joey Wimpelberg, RHP, c/o 2023 (Central Florida commit)
Logan Hughes, 1B, c/o 2023 (Stetson commit)
Braeden Weckman, OF, c/o 2024 (Florida commit)
Mike Bradley turned Dr. Phillips into a perennial playoff contender, and is looking to do the same at Winter Springs. A district champion from 2021, the Bears have a good mixture of veterans and young guys on their roster, according to Bradley. Sophomore outfielder Braeden Weckman is considered one of the top 20 sophomore outfielders in Florida, while junior Joey Wimpelberg, younger brother of former Florida Leaguer Jordan Wimpelberg, is ranked among the top 20 juniors in Florida among righthanded pitchers.