Sports

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.
Branford outside hitter Jadyn Mosley (from left, Southeastern), defensive back Colby Carver (Warner) and receiver Austin Malaguti (Warner) signed their letters of intent on Wednesday. (COURTESY)

Branford outside hitter Jadyn Mosley (from left, Southeastern), defensive back Colby Carver (Warner) and receiver Austin Malaguti (Warner) signed their letters of intent on Wednesday. (COURTESY)

PREP SPORTS: Carver, Malaguti sign with Warner; Mosley with Southeastern

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, February 7, 2024
BRANFORD — Branford defensive back Colby Carver and receiver Austin Malaugti signed their letters of intent with Warner on Wednesday.
Lafayette's Jalen Hill signed his letter of intent to play at Missouri S&T on Wednesday. (COURTESY)

Lafayette's Jalen Hill signed his letter of intent to play at Missouri S&T on Wednesday. (COURTESY)

PREP FOOTBALL: Lafayette’s Jalen Hill signs with Missouri S&T

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, February 7, 2024
MAYO — With his recruitment playing out slower than he’d have liked, Lafayette’s Jalen Hill decided to see who really wanted him. In the end, the weekly phone calls from Missouri S&T head coach Andy Ball showed Hill that the Miners’ program in Rolla, Missouri, was the right place for him.
University Christian's Abby Mehm celebrates in front of the Lafayette net after scoring the go-ahead goal in overtime of Tuesday's Region 1-2A quarterfinal. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Special to the Reporter)

University Christian's Abby Mehm celebrates in front of the Lafayette net after scoring the go-ahead goal in overtime of Tuesday's Region 1-2A quarterfinal. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Special to the Reporter)

GIRLS SOCCER: Lafayette falls to University Christian on PK in OT of Region 1-2A quarterfinals

CONCEPCION LEDEZMA
Tuesday, February 6, 2024
MAYO — Lafayette coach Jessica Edwards couldn't have asked for more out of her team during a thrilling, high-intensity postseason contest. The fast-paced Region 1-2A quarterfinal matchup saw the opposing goalkeepers combine for 34 saves.