Sports

Fort White guard Najeeb Smith runs the offense against Eastside on Dec. 22. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Fort White guard Najeeb Smith runs the offense against Eastside on Dec. 22. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

BOYS BASKETBALL: Fort White falls to Union Grove in OT at Get Down Showcase

NEWS STAFF
Friday, December 29, 2023
Fort White climbed out of an early 10-0 hole to force overtime but ultimately fell to Union Grove (McDonough, GA) 58-54 on Friday afternoon at the Florida Get Down held at St. Francis High School. Tafari Moe scored 22 points and Brandon DeMartino added 12 in the loss to the Wolverines (8-6).
Columbia guard Zamarion Jones initiates the offense against South Dade during the Hitchcock's Challenge on Thursday. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia guard Zamarion Jones initiates the offense against South Dade during the Hitchcock's Challenge on Thursday. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

BOYS BASKETBALL: Columbia bounces back, routs South Dade on Day 2 of Hitchcock's Challenge

JORDAN KROEGER
Thursday, December 28, 2023
ALACHUA — Despite an early alarm clock, it took another fiery halftime speech from head coach Steve Faulkner for Columbia to finally wake up. When the Tigers finally did, they did what they were supposed to do — beat an inferior opponent.
Suwannee’s Cade Cannon is the LCR’s Boys Swimmer of the Year. (COURTESY)

Suwannee’s Cade Cannon is the LCR’s Boys Swimmer of the Year. (COURTESY)

FALL ALL-AREA: Suwannee's Cade Cannon named LCR's Boys Swimmer of the Year

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, December 27, 2023
LIVE OAK — All the motivation that Cade Cannon needs is right in front of him every time he prepares to dive in to the Billy Jernigan Pool. At the end of the Suwannee junior’s lane is the SHS swimming record board. Staring back at Cannon, the Lake City Reporter’s Boys Swimmer of the Year, is 5:34.
Nease center Jack Sullivan (right) blocks Columbia forward Zavian Douglas’ shot during the Hitchcock’s Challenge on Wednesday. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

Nease center Jack Sullivan (right) blocks Columbia forward Zavian Douglas’ shot during the Hitchcock’s Challenge on Wednesday. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

BOYS BASKETBALL: Columbia loses to Nease in Hitchcock's opener behind another poor shooting effort

JORDAN KROEGER
Wednesday, December 27, 2023
ALACHUA — Columbia head coach Steve Faulkner was hoping to see more offensive consistency at the Hitchcock’s Challenge. The Tigers didn’t find it in the tournament opener on Wednesday. They’ll continue searching for it in the loser’s bracket today.
The 8th annual Steve Claffey Memorial Game will begin at 2 p.m. Saturday at Paul Langford Stadium with a match between Suwannee High alumni and those from Columbia High. The teams from last year’s game are pictured above. (COURTESY)

The 8th annual Steve Claffey Memorial Game will begin at 2 p.m. Saturday at Paul Langford Stadium with a match between Suwannee High alumni and those from Columbia High. The teams from last year’s game are pictured above. (COURTESY)

RECREATIONAL SOCCER: Claffey alumni game returns to benefit those in need

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, December 27, 2023
LIVE OAK — Alumni soccer players from across North Florida will be kicking it for a cause in Live Oak this weekend. The 8th annual Steve Claffey Memorial Game will begin at 2 p.m. Saturday at Paul Langford Stadium with a match between Suwannee High alumni and those from Columbia High.
Suwannee’s Austin McKinney wrestles during the Knockout Christmas Classic over the weekend. (COURTESY)

Suwannee’s Austin McKinney wrestles during the Knockout Christmas Classic over the weekend. (COURTESY)

PREP WRESTLING: Bulldogs hold their own in stacked field at Knockout Christmas Classic

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, December 26, 2023
LIVE OAK — In the days leading up to last week’s Knockout Christmas Classic, John Wainwright contemplated pulling the Suwannee Bulldogs out of it. After the Bulldogs placed 16th out of 70 of the best teams from across the Southeast, Wainwright is glad he didn’t make the switch.
Fort White guard Jayden Jackson makes a layup over Eastside forward Davion Pugh on Friday night. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Fort White guard Jayden Jackson makes a layup over Eastside forward Davion Pugh on Friday night. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

BOYS BASKETBALL: Fort White dominates Eastside to extend win streak to 4 games

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Friday, December 22, 2023
FORT WHITE — After suffering their first loss of the season earlier this month, the Fort White Indians have been red hot. They’d won three consecutive games by an average margin of 16.3 points, including a 30-point win over Union County on Sunday. After Friday, it’s four in a row — and counting.