Sports

Fort White receiver Mike Peterson Jr. starts a route against corner Tafari Moe during practice on May 1. (FILE)

PREP FOOTBALL: Fort White 2025 WR Mike Peterson Jr. commits to Arkansas State

MORGAN MCMULLEN

Monday, June 24, 2024

FORT WHITE — With little drama or fanfare, one of the area’s top football recruits already knows where he’d like to continue his career at the next level.

Columbia's offense receives a play call during the FHS 7v7 Tournament that took place Friday and Saturday. (COURTESY)

PREP FOOTBALL: Allen saw 'good things' from Columbia despite up-and-down FHS 7v7 tournament

JORDAN KROEGER

Monday, June 24, 2024

The main goal of the Florida High School 7v7 state tournament isn’t so much about winning it, but more so about signs of improvement, at least according to Columbia coach Brian Allen.

Fort White pitcher Kadence Compton is the LCR’s Softball Player of the Year. (JEN CHASTEEN/Special to the Reporter)

SPRING ALL-AREA: Fort White pitcher Kadence Compton named LCR's Softball Player of the Year

MORGAN MCMULLEN

Saturday, June 22, 2024

FORT WHITE — Two batters into her team’s regional semifinals matchup, Kadence Compton had her rhythm interrupted. An incoming storm delayed gameplay for about half an hour as Fort White and Madison County players headed for shelter. The disruption could’ve impacted other pitchers.

Suwannee’s Evan McMillan is the LCR’s Boys Tennis Player of the Year. (COURTESY)

SPRING ALL-AREA: Suwannee's Evan McMillan named LCR's Boys Tennis Player of the Year

JAMIE WACHTER

Friday, June 21, 2024

LIVE OAK — Evan McMillan’s introduction to tennis came a handful of years ago when his brother, Alexandor, played at Suwannee. The younger McMillan, close to his brother, began hitting balls back and forth with his brother and started going to lessons with him.

Suwannee’s Madison Dear is the LCR’s Girls Tennis Player of the Year. (TAMMY JOHNS/Special to the Reporter)

SPRING ALL-AREA: Suwannee's Madison Dear named LCR's Girls Tennis Player of the Year

JAMIE WACHTER

Friday, June 21, 2024

LIVE OAK — Facing Aucilla Christian’s Morgan McNeill in Monticello in February, Madison Dear’s senior season couldn’t have gotten off to much worse of a start. As Suwannee’s year was getting underway, Dear quickly found herself in a 6-3 hole against McNeill.

Columbia pitcher/infielder Ayden Phillips is the LCR’s Baseball Player of the Year. (MANDI SLOAN/Special to the Reporter)

SPRING ALL-AREA: Columbia star Ayden Phillips named LCR's Baseball Player of the Year

JORDAN KROEGER

Thursday, June 20, 2024

It isn’t hard for Ayden Phillips to pick his favorite memory from his junior season at Columbia. Tasked with pitching against IMG Academy’s national squad on the road late in the season, Phillips rose to the challenge and delivered one of the biggest wins in program history.

Suwannee’s Sam Wainwright is the LCR’s Boys Weightlifter of the Year. (TAMMY JOHNS/Special to the Reporter)

SPRING ALL-AREA: Suwannee state champion Sam Wainwright named LCR's Boys Weightlifter of the Year

JAMIE WACHTER

Saturday, June 15, 2024

LIVE OAK — Heading into the Class 1A state meet in Lakeland, the plan was for Sam Wainwright to set a new state record.

Suwannee senior Will Wainwright is the LCR’s Boys Track & Field Athlete of the Year. (COURTESY)

SPRING ALL-AREA: Suwannee's Will Wainwright named LCR's Boys Track & Field Athlete of the Year

JAMIE WACHTER

Thursday, June 13, 2024

LIVE OAK — Will Wainwright warned them. At the SFHS Raiders Invitational at Santa Fe in early March, the Suwannee senior thrower alerted meet officials that the school buses parked behind the discus throwing area were too close.

Columbia sophomore J’Liyn Smith is the LCR’s Girls Track & Field Athlete of the Year. (COURTESY )

SPRING ALL-AREA: Columbia's J'Liyn Smith named LCR's Girls Track & Field Athlete of the Year

JORDAN KROEGER

Thursday, June 13, 2024

J’Liyn Smith made it look easy. The Columbia sophomore sprinted across the finish line to win the District 2-3A title in the 400m at the end of April, winning the race by more than a second.

Branford linebacker Troy Roberts makes a tackle against Dixie County during their spring game on May 17. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Clark believes Branford faces tougher schedule in 2024

JAMIE WACHTER

Friday, June 7, 2024

BRANFORD — Winning at least seven games for a third straight season will be tougher for Branford thanks to what head coach Tim Clark believes is a more challenging slate.