Indian Creek’s winter sports teams kept themselves busy over the holiday break, but a handful of athletes from the Braves’ baseball and football teams were in action as well.
Three members of the school’s baseball team, which reached the regional final last spring, took part in the Disney New Year’s Baseball Classic last week in Orlando, Florida.
Junior Dylan Sprong and sophomore Dustin Sprong were on the Game Day USA Blue team that won the 18U championship, while their Indian Creek teammate, sophomore Wyatt Phillips, played for Game Day USA Red, which placed second in the 18U division.
Meanwhile, Indian Creek freshman football standout Cameron Elmore and his younger brother, third-grader Mark Ferguson Jr., were in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina during the weekend for the Diamond Youth All-American Bowl, a series of national showcase games for football players in grades 3 to 9.
This week, Elmore is in San Antonio for the FBU 9th-Grade All-American Game and combine, which coincide with the annual U.S. Army All-American Bowl, a showcase for many of the nation’s top senior football players.
On the diamond, both of the Sprongs made key contributions in their team’s final victory against the East Coast All-Americans. Dylan got the start on the mound and Dustin had two hits and an RBI as well as a pivotal play at third base to help his team preserve a 3-2 lead.
Earlier in the week, Dylan finished third in the home run derby and hit a walk-off double to give Game Day USA Blue another one-run triumph.
Phillips, meanwhile, pitched a complete-game shutout to lead his Red team to a 10-0 win against the Oveido (Florida) Destroyers.
Elmore enjoyed similar success on the football field.
As a 250-pounder playing on the defensive line, he was named a Most Valuable Player in one of the two ninth-grade Diamond games. Ferguson took part in the inaugural third-grade game. Both earned invitations to participate based on video highlight submissions.
The FBU game and combine could be even bigger for Elmore, who is lining up on the offensive line this week. The U.S. Army All-American Bowl regularly draws a crowd of top recruiting analysts and coaches, and those participating in the FBU events will undoubtedly have some of those eyes on them as well.
For athletes chasing dreams of college scholarships, that level of exposure was a welcome holiday gift.
