By Rick Pedone
Sports Editor

The rain Thursday caused many high school athletic events to be canceled, including the Kissimmee Klassic softball tournament at the Osceola County Stadium complex.

All of the Klassic’s opening-round games were pushed back to Friday, and the tournament’s schedule was compressed from three days to two.

The tournament will conclude today with consolation games beginning at 8 a.m. The championship finals in all three brackets of the 38-team tournament are set for 6:30 p.m.

Host Osceola High met Naples Gulf Coast in its tournament opener late Friday morning in the gold bracket.

Three state champions and 27 teams that have been ranked among the state’s top 10 in their respective classes this season are competing.

The updated bracket is available at kissimmeeklassic.com. Admission is $9.

Other events canceled Thursday include a 4A District 6 softball game between rivals St. Cloud and Harmony High, which will now be played Thursday. HHS already clinched the top district seed.

A flag football showdown between the schools also was canceled Thursday.

The water polo match between Osceola and Gateway was postponed.

A tennis match between Celebration and St. Cloud that may have decided the Orange Belt Conference boys championship also was canceled.

St. Cloud also must complete a match against Osceola that was halted by rain Wednesday.