Sports

Suwannee shortstop Gabe Garcia (11) celebrates with teammates after hitting a three-RBI walk-off double to beat Columbia 8-7 in extra innings on Thursday. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Lake City Reporter)

Suwannee shortstop Gabe Garcia (11) celebrates with teammates after hitting a three-RBI walk-off double to beat Columbia 8-7 in extra innings on Thursday. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Lake City Reporter)

PREP BASEBALL: Garcia's 3-RBI walk-off rallies Suwannee over Columbia in extras

JORDAN KROEGER
Thursday, April 2, 2026
LIVE OAK — Gabe Garcia lined a pitch to right field. At first, it looked as if Columbia outfielder Case Bennett would catch it. But then the ball kept spinning. Fast. As it spun toward the foul line, it forced Bennett to dive for the ball, but he couldn’t reach it.
Columbia catcher Emily Delgado (22) signals she's safe at second base ahead of the tag from Buchholz second baseman Avery Fullam during Thursday's 4-2 win. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia catcher Emily Delgado (22) signals she's safe at second base ahead of the tag from Buchholz second baseman Avery Fullam during Thursday's 4-2 win. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

PREP SOFTBALL: Columbia outlasts Buchholz behind Stone's complete game

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Thursday, April 2, 2026
GAINESVILLE — Columbia head coach Joe Saucier knew the patience of his players would be tested Thursday night. And in a two-hour-long battle, the Tigers didn’t blink.
Fort White forward Jahlaya Wilson is the LCR’s Girls Basketball Player of the Year. (BREGAY HARRIS/Special to the Reporter)

Fort White forward Jahlaya Wilson is the LCR’s Girls Basketball Player of the Year. (BREGAY HARRIS/Special to the Reporter)

WINTER ALL-AREA: Fort White forward Jahlaya Wilson named LCR's Girls Basketball Player of the Year

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Thursday, April 2, 2026
FORT WHITE — There’s no mystery behind Jahlaya Wilson’s nickname.  The 6-foot-1 Indians forward already towers over most of her teammates and opponents on the court, and her long limbs make for great coverage. But ‘Tree’ Wilson is more than a moniker.
Newberry players pour out of the dugout after Desmond Taylor scored the game-winning run to defeat Columbia 12-11 on Tuesday. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

Newberry players pour out of the dugout after Desmond Taylor scored the game-winning run to defeat Columbia 12-11 on Tuesday. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

PREP BASEBALL: Columbia blows lead late to Newberry, loses high-scoring affair

JORDAN KROEGER
Tuesday, March 31, 2026
NEWBERRY — Following five lead changes and two ties, Columbia finally appeared on the verge of escaping with a win. Only an inconsequential run stood at first base in the bottom of the seventh inning and relief pitcher Colton Mote had just retired back-to-back Newberry batters.
Columbia catcher Emily Delgado hits a home run against Bartram Trail on March 19. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia catcher Emily Delgado hits a home run against Bartram Trail on March 19. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP SOFTBALL: Delgado, King lead Columbia to shutout over Bronson

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, March 31, 2026
BRONSON — Emily Delgado homered and drove in six runs while Kinley King tossed a one-hitter as Class 4A No. 3 Columbia pulled away from Bronson late for 17-0 road victory Tuesday night.
Former Columbia High coach Bobby Simmons (middle) was honored prior to a Tigers’ game in 2023. The school’s all-time winningest coach, Simmons was pictured with CHS Principal Trey Hosford, his son-in-law (left), and CHS coach Brian Allen. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Former Columbia High coach Bobby Simmons (middle) was honored prior to a Tigers’ game in 2023. The school’s all-time winningest coach, Simmons was pictured with CHS Principal Trey Hosford, his son-in-law (left), and CHS coach Brian Allen. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Simmons, Columbia's all-time winningest coach, passes

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, March 31, 2026
The words — or word, really — still resonate with Mike Lee even 50-plus years later. As a senior at Columbia High, Lee asked his football coach, Bobby Simmons, for some life advice. Braced for some long response like most give, Lee instead received back a one-word answer.
Columbia center fielder Luisa Taylor makes the play on a deep fly ball against Lafayette on March 13. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia center fielder Luisa Taylor makes the play on a deep fly ball against Lafayette on March 13. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

SOFTBALL NOTEBOOK: Bartow snaps Columbia's 10-game win streak with shutout

JORDAN KROEGER
Tuesday, March 31, 2026
BARTOW — It took three weeks, but someone was finally able to cool off Columbia. That someone was Bartow pitcher Ryleigh Knowlton. Knowlton struck out 10 and worked out of a couple of jams to shut out the Class 4A No. 3 Tigers and lift the Class 6A No.