Sports

Columbia forward Jalen Gaskins looks for a lane to the basket while being defended by Rickards forward Travell Gallon during Saturday's District 2-5A championship. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia forward Jalen Gaskins looks for a lane to the basket while being defended by Rickards forward Travell Gallon during Saturday's District 2-5A championship. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

BOYS BASKETBALL: Columbia, Fort White both make playoffs as at-large teams

JORDAN KROEGER
Sunday, February 11, 2024
When Pine Forest pulled off an upset Saturday night to win District 1 and steal a playoff bid in Region 1-5A, Columbia head coach Steve Faulkner admits he was nervous. After all, the Tigers had lost three of their final four games, including a 49-33 loss in the District 2 championship to Rickards.
Columbia forward Justice Kelly has his shot blocked by Rickards' Travis Morris in the second half of Saturday's District 2-5A championship. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia forward Justice Kelly has his shot blocked by Rickards' Travis Morris in the second half of Saturday's District 2-5A championship. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

BOYS BASKETBALL: Columbia falls to Rickards in District 2-5A championship

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Saturday, February 10, 2024
TALLAHASSEE — If Columbia’s season is indeed over, head coach Steve Faulkner can pinpoint the moment it ended.  A poor first-half showing in Saturday’s District 2-5A championship at Rickards doomed the No.
Former Buchholz receiver Mike Peterson announced on Twitter on Friday that he’s transferring to Fort White for his senior season. Peterson caught 25 passes for 502 yards last year for the Bobcats. (COURTESY)

Former Buchholz receiver Mike Peterson announced on Twitter on Friday that he’s transferring to Fort White for his senior season. Peterson caught 25 passes for 502 yards last year for the Bobcats. (COURTESY)

PREP FOOTBALL: Rising senior WR Mike Peterson Jr. transferring from Buchholz to Fort White

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Friday, February 9, 2024
FORT WHITE — Facing a tougher climb through a new district for the near future, Fort White will need to reload and retain talent to keep up with more affluent schools. On Friday, head coach Demetric Jackson landed perhaps the first piece of that puzzle. Mike Peterson Jr.
Columbia third baseman Ayden Phillips throws to first base against Chiles last season. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia third baseman Ayden Phillips throws to first base against Chiles last season. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP BASEBALL: Columbia counting on several new starters in quest for another deep playoff run

JORDAN KROEGER
Friday, February 9, 2024
Back-to-back trips to the state semifinals set a new standard at Columbia. But for the Tigers to make it back to Fort Myers for a third straight year, they’re going to need some new faces to step up. Gone are the studs from a year ago. Ace pitcher Josh Fernald is at UCF.
Columbia guard Marlin Haywood goes up for a layup on a fast break during Thursday's District 2-5A semifinal against Clay. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia guard Marlin Haywood goes up for a layup on a fast break during Thursday's District 2-5A semifinal against Clay. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

BOYS BASKETBALL: Columbia runs away from Clay in District 2-5A semis, will face Rickards for title

JORDAN KROEGER
Thursday, February 8, 2024
TALLAHASSEE — Columbia head coach Steve Faulkner is always wondering which team will show up for him every night the Tigers step on the floor. Well, he got the best version of them yet in Thursday’s District 2-5A semifinal against Clay. The No.
Fort White guard Tafari Moe gets off a shot while being defended by Hawthorne guard CJ Ingram during Thursday's District 6-1A semifinal. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Fort White guard Tafari Moe gets off a shot while being defended by Hawthorne guard CJ Ingram during Thursday's District 6-1A semifinal. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

BOYS BASKETBALL: Fort White wears down against Hawthorne in District 6-1A semis, awaits playoff fate

CONCEPCION LEDEZMA
Thursday, February 8, 2024
FORT WHITE — Fort White, no doubt, showed its signature scrappy style of play against a hot Hawthorne team that came into the District 6-1A semifinal matchup with a 10-game winning streak.
Columbia football players D'Mari Bruce (from left), Jalin Carter, Kani Fulton, Markeyon Moore and Wilson Philemon signed their letters of intent to play college football on Wednesday. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia football players D'Mari Bruce (from left), Jalin Carter, Kani Fulton, Markeyon Moore and Wilson Philemon signed their letters of intent to play college football on Wednesday. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Five from Columbia sign letters of intent to play in college

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, February 7, 2024
On what Columbia coaches and administrators called a special and exciting day, it was fitting that the Tigers’ emotional leader led in the festivities Wednesday.
Fort White running back Dakota Fisher (second from right) signed his letter of intent to play football at Charleston Southern University on Wednesday flanked by his (from left) grandmother Shirley Adams, mother Tonya Fisher and sister Jamisha Walls. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Fort White running back Dakota Fisher (second from right) signed his letter of intent to play football at Charleston Southern University on Wednesday flanked by his (from left) grandmother Shirley Adams, mother Tonya Fisher and sister Jamisha Walls. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Fort White RB Dakota Fisher signs with Charleston Southern

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Wednesday, February 7, 2024
FORT WHITE — Dakota Fisher shined on the football field. It seemed appropriate then that the Lake City Reporter’s Offensive Player of the Year shined off it on Wednesday as well.