By Rick Pedone
Sports Editor

The results at the state softball tournaments at Clermont last week confirmed that the Kissimmee Klassic softball tournament provides a litmus test for the state’s top high school programs.

Three champions and eight qualifiers from the state tournaments were among the 38 teams that played at the Klassic, held at the Osceola County Softball Complex, in early April.

“We’re not surprised. It happens every year,” said Osceola High Coach George Coffey, who, with Roger Jones and Chris Ballard, runs the Klassic.

The Class A (Canterbury School of St. Petersburg), 3A (Miami Gulliver Prep) and 6A (Palm Beach Gardens) state champions competed at the Klassic, but none managed to win a title at the Kissimmee softball tournament.

The entire Class 6A state tournament bracket (Sarasota, Miami Braddock, Winter Springs and Palm Beach Gardens) played at the Klassic. Sarasota won the Klassic’s blue bracket.

Klassic participant Trinity Prep reached the Class 2A championship game, where it was derailed by Delray Beach American Heritage Prep.

Osceola reached the regional semifinals, where it lost to Bartow, the Class 5A state finalist, 7-0.

Harmony, normally a Klassic participant, did not compete at the Klassic this year but reached the Class 4A championship game against Eau Gallie.

Coffey expects the Klassic to attract many of the state’s elite programs again in 2012.

“It’s a great way for the teams to prepare for the playoffs, and the coaches know that,” Coffey said.

“The competition they see at the Klassic is what they are going to see when the playoffs start. A lot of times, it’s better.”