Bracketology: Florida High School Edition
May 5, 2024
Bracketology: Florida High School Baseball Edition
The Florida High School baseball journey is nearly complete as the wide field of teams has withered down to the final 32 in each classification 2A-7A (16 teams left in 1A). With rising stars and seasoned players leaving their mark on their varsity teams. The remaining teams vie for regional supremacy, the stakes are higher than ever. Every win brings them closer to their ultimate goal, becoming State Champs. It's moments like these that truly capture the essence of high school sports, bringing communities together in support of their teams and creating memories that will forever be remembered.
Much like the frenzy of March Madness, where brackets become battlegrounds of prediction and hope, we wanted to add an extra layer of excitement and friendly competition to an already thrilling time with a spin-off on Bracketology. Filling out a bracket creates a shared experience that transcends levels of fandom. It gives everyone involved a stake in the outcome, whether they're die-hard enthusiasts or just casual viewers. Plus, there's the added excitement of seeing how your predictions stack up against others and we wanted to recreate just some of that feeling in high school baseball. Below will be my completed bracket from every region/classification as well as a breakdown of some of the potential matchups that could happen along the way.
Here are the links to fill out your own bracket for each classification. (The password is 123 for all of them)
7A Final Four (Timber Creek, Venice, Park Vista, Stoneman Douglas)
Timber Creek - The path for the Wolves is not an easy one as they could potentially be in store for a rematch against Spruce Creek in the Regional Semis, who beat them 2-0 back in April. I think the winner of that game will be the representative for the Region at states.
Venice - The Indians have been one the best and most consistent teams in the state this year. Facing Durant in the regional final will be a tough task as the Cougars have one of the best 1-2 punches in the state with Blaine Rowland and Chase Mobley.
Park Vista - Ethan Mattison has been dominant all year for Park Vista and giving him the chance to start both the quarterfinals and the finals will help the Cobras reach states.
Stoneman Douglas - Injuries slowed down the Eagles during the middle part of the year but the defending state champs have gotten healthy as of late and have caught fire. It won’t be easy but Douglas looks primed to make a run at their 4th state title in a row.
6A Final Four (Buchholz, Land O’ Lakes, Sickles, Doral Academy)
Buchholz - The Bobcats will look to ride a deep pitching staff to get them through regionals and make a run at the state title.
Land O’ Lakes - Led by 2024 Saint Leo recruit Logan Baisley, the Gators will have to go through some potential tough arms on their way to a regional championship, including Florida State recruit Dylan Jordan.
Sickles - The Gryphons will look to go back to back as 6A state champs. They lost a lot from last year's team but they’re led offensively by 2025 Florida commit Jordan Yost who was a big part of last year's title run.
Doral Academy - The Firebirds have been one of the best teams this year having only lost 3 games. This year’s team will look to break through and take home the championship after getting a taste of it in the state semi-finals last year.
5A Final Four (Lincoln, Cypress Creek, Jesuit, American Heritage)
Lincoln - Based on their record, one might overlook the Trojans but there is a reason they got the 1-seed in the region, having played one of the tougher schedules around. Lincoln is no stranger to big moments and big games, having broken the Stoneman Douglas's 59-game winning streak earlier in the season.
Cypress Creek - The Coyotes will lean on 2024 West Virginia commit Ryan Maggy, who is having an incredible season both on the mound and at the plate.
Jesuit - It seems that everything is starting to click at the right time for the Tigers. With senior leadership and hungry youth, Jesuit looks primed to make noise in the 5A playoffs.
American Heritage - This season has been up and down for the Patriots but they have as talented of a roster as anyone in the field. Talan Holiday and Spencer Krasner were both part of Heritage’s state champion rotation last year and will look to lean on that experience to repeat as champs.
4A Final Four (South Walton, Merritt Island, Cardinal Gibbons, McKeel Academy)
South Walton - Another team that seems to be peaking at the right time is South Walton. A tough regular season schedule looks to have prepared the Seahawks for a postseason run. One of the most exciting potential matchups would be a rematch of the 4A District Final with Arnold.
Merritt Island - The Mustangs boast a 21-5 record having won games in a multitude of different ways. Whether it be in a high-scoring shootout or in 1 score nail biters.
Cardinal Gibbons - The Chiefs have pitched their way this far and will look to continue to ride a strong rotation all the way to states. 5 pitchers with over 15 innings pitched and under a 2.00 ERA.
McKeel Academy - 2024 South Carolina recruit KJ Scobey has led the Wildcats offensively to a 21-5 record as he looks to finish out his high school career with a state championship ring.
3A Final Four (Pensacola Catholic, Bishop Verot, North Broward Prep, Westminster Christian)
Pensacola Catholic - The Crusaders have lost just 1 game this year and are riding a 22-game winning streak into the regional playoffs. A potential Trinity Christian Academy matchup is on the horizon in the regional final which could be one of the most exciting games of the entire tournament.
Bishop Verot - A mix of senior standouts and underclassmen looking to make a name for themselves has led Bishop Verot to this point. Boasting one of the best lineups in the state, the Vikings will look to swing their way to states.
North Broward Prep - The Eagles are well-balanced at the plate and on the mound. After finishing 2nd last year, North Broward Prep will look to avenge that loss and reclaim the state title.
Westminster Christian - As one of the better-hitting teams in the state, the Warriors will look to swing their way to Fort Myers. A potential matchup with North Broward Prep in the state semifinals could be one of the best games of the year.
2A Final Four (St. Johns Country Day, Lakeland Christian, Neumann, Miami Christian)
St. Johns Country Day - A 2nd place finish last year left a bitter taste in the mouth of the Spartans and they’ll look to make another state final run to avenge that bad taste.
Lakeland Christian - As last year's champion, Lakeland Christian will look to go back to back. A potential finals rematch with St. Johns would happen 1 game earlier this year in the semifinals.
Neumann - The Celtics returned most of their core from a state semifinal team last year. They’ll look to that experience and 2024 North Carolina State recruit Ryder Woodson to finish what last year’s team started.
Miami Christian - An upperclassmen heavy Miami Christian team will look to finish off their high school careers with state championship rings.
1A Finalist (Bozeman and Lafayette)
Bozeman - Having been one of the best 1A teams all year the Bozeman Bucks will look to cap off their 2024 season with a state championship.
Lafayette - The 1A State Runner-Ups will look to avenge that loss from 2023 and walk away with the championship trophy this go around.
UPCOMING EVENTS
| SHOWCASE | STATE | DATE | LOCATION |
| Future Games Trials: Panhandle | FL | 05/25 | South Walton High School - Santa Rosa Beach, FL |
| Future Games Trials: Tampa | FL | 05/29 | USF - Tampa, FL |
| Future Games Trials: Orlando | FL | 06/04 | The First Academy - Orlando, FL |
| FL Top Prospect Games (Invite-Only) | FL | 06/05 | Jackie Robinson Ballpark - Daytona, FL |
| Future Games Trials: IMG | FL | 06/12 | IMG Academy - Bradenton, FL |
| Future Games Trials: Miami | FL | 06/25 | FIU - Miami, FL |
| Future Games Trials: JAX | FL | 07/02 | UNF - Jacksonville, FL |
| Future Games Trials: Palm Beach | FL | 07/09 | CACTI Park - West Palm Beach, FL |
| Future Games (Class of 2026/27) | NATIONAL | 07/24 | LakePoint Sports |
| Junior Future Games (Class of 2028/29) | NATIONAL | 07/24 | LakePoint Sports |
| Senior Future Games (Class of 2025) | NATIONAL | 07/24 | LakePoint Sports |