Sports

Fort White catcher Chloe Kirby (left) shakes hands with pitcher Kadence Compton (right) after the final out of the Indians’ win over Branford on March 1. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Special to the Reporter)

Fort White catcher Chloe Kirby (left) shakes hands with pitcher Kadence Compton (right) after the final out of the Indians’ win over Branford on March 1. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Special to the Reporter)

PREP SOFTBALL: Fort White has won 5 of first 6 and hungry for more in 2024

JORDAN KROEGER
Wednesday, March 13, 2024
FORT WHITE — Could this finally be Fort White’s year? Hope is trending upward so far this season. The Indians have raced out to a 5-1 start, with a lone 3-2 loss to Class 4A Baker County last week.
Lafayette receiver Jordan Murphy tries to escape a tackle from Branford defensive lineman Tate Dampier last Friday. (FILE)

Lafayette receiver Jordan Murphy tries to escape a tackle from Branford defensive lineman Tate Dampier last Friday. (FILE)

PREP FOOTBALL: Lafayette finalizes schedule for 2024

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, March 13, 2024
MAYO — Coming off a ninth straight playoff appearance, the Lafayette Hornets will get an early look at what the postseason could have in store this fall.
Suwannee’s Logan Brooks makes contact with a pitch against Columbia on Feb. 29. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Suwannee’s Logan Brooks makes contact with a pitch against Columbia on Feb. 29. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP ROUNDUP: Scores and stats from 3/12/24

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, March 12, 2024
BASEBALL — Suwannee 15, Union County 8: It took 11 innings but the Bulldogs (4-1-1) were finally able to pull away from the Tigers (3-6) for a road win in extras thanks to seven runs in the 11th.
Branford’s Laila Arnold winds up for a pitch during Tuesday’s 1-0 win over Columbia. Arnold struck out eight Tigers on her way to a complete-game shutout. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Branford’s Laila Arnold winds up for a pitch during Tuesday’s 1-0 win over Columbia. Arnold struck out eight Tigers on her way to a complete-game shutout. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

PREP SOFTBALL: Branford takes pitcher’s duel over Columbia

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, March 12, 2024
BRANFORD — A win doesn’t have to be pretty. But for Branford on Tuesday night, it did have to be a little gritty. The Buccaneers eked out three hits, including a leadoff single from shortstop Cloey Criggall that eventually turned into the game’s only run in the Bucs’ 1-0 shutout win over Columbia.
Suwannee receiver Hannah Humphries celebrates running into the end zone as she scores the go-ahead touchdown against Columbia on Tuesday. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Special to the Reporter)

Suwannee receiver Hannah Humphries celebrates running into the end zone as she scores the go-ahead touchdown against Columbia on Tuesday. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Special to the Reporter)

PREP FLAG FOOTBALL: Humphries’ late TD lifts Suwannee over Columbia

CONCEPCION LEDEZMA
Tuesday, March 12, 2024
LIVE OAK — When it counted, Suwannee’s co-captain Hannah Humphries did it all to help her team get back on track, especially against neighboring rival Columbia.
Suwannee third baseman Haley Law makes a catch as Branford outfielder Ashlee Combee looks on at third base on March 6. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Special to the Reporter)

Suwannee third baseman Haley Law makes a catch as Branford outfielder Ashlee Combee looks on at third base on March 6. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Special to the Reporter)

PREP ROUNDUP: Scores and stats from 3/11/24

NEWS STAFF
Monday, March 11, 2024
SOFTBALL — Branford 7, Hamilton County 2: Ellie Frierson went 3 for 4 with a home run, two doubles and two RBIs to help the Buccaneers (8-3) rally past the Trojans (0-9) on the road.
Columbia's Alli Jenkins leaps during the triple jump at the Raider Invitational on Saturday. (COURTESY)

Columbia's Alli Jenkins leaps during the triple jump at the Raider Invitational on Saturday. (COURTESY)

PREP TRACK & FIELD: Top performers from Raider Invitational

NEWS STAFF
Monday, March 11, 2024
Columbia and Suwannee competed at the Raider Invitational at Santa Fe on Saturday. Here are the teams’ top-3 performers who received medals: — Girls 400m: J’Liyn Smith, Columbia, 1st (1:00.25); Omari-Briana Foster, Columbia, 3rd (1:01.82) — Boys 800m: Nathan Matsubara, Columbia, 2nd (2:02.
Branford's Cloey Criggall signals safe at third base alongside Fort White's Hannah LeBleu on March 1. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Special to the Reporter)

Branford's Cloey Criggall signals safe at third base alongside Fort White's Hannah LeBleu on March 1. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Special to the Reporter)

PREP ROUNDUP: Scores and stats from 3/8/24

NEWS STAFF
Friday, March 8, 2024
SOFTBALL — Baker County 3, Fort White 2: The Indians (5-1) suffered their first loss of the season, falling to the Wildcats (4-1) at home after leading 2-0 after the first inning. N’Coreyia Atkins had the lone RBI for FWHS, which was held to four hits.
Columbia pitcher Grant Bowers winds up to pitch against Valdosta on Friday. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia pitcher Grant Bowers winds up to pitch against Valdosta on Friday. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP BASEBALL: Columbia avenges run-rule loss with shutout over Valdosta

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Friday, March 8, 2024
Two weeks ago, Columbia took a trip north. As a result, the Tigers suffered their worst loss of the season, a 10-0 run-rule defeat at the hands of Valdosta. In Friday’s rematch, both teams struggled at the plate, though the Tigers’ pitching performance was miles better.