Sports

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.
Suwannee's girls weightlifting team celebrates after winning the Region 1-1A titles in traditional and Olympic on Saturday. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Special to the Reporter)

Suwannee's girls weightlifting team celebrates after winning the Region 1-1A titles in traditional and Olympic on Saturday. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Special to the Reporter)

GIRLS WEIGHTLIFTING: Suwannee leads area with 19 state qualifiers following regional titles

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, February 6, 2024
LIVE OAK — Suwannee’s regional dominance continued Saturday. The Bulldogs hoisted their sixth straight Region 1-1A traditional title in their home gym, while also adding their third straight Olympic regional crown too on a day where they had 19 lifters qualify for the state meet.
Columbia guard Mariah Cox dribbles up the court in transition after a steal against Middleburg in the District 2-5A quarterfinals on Monday night. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia guard Mariah Cox dribbles up the court in transition after a steal against Middleburg in the District 2-5A quarterfinals on Monday night. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

GIRLS BASKETBALL: Cox's career night leads Columbia to blowout over Middleburg in District 2-5A quarterfinals

JORDAN KROEGER
Monday, February 5, 2024
There were no surprises in the District 2-5A quarterfinals. Columbia took care of business. Now the Tigers turn their attention to Ridgeview as they try to win their way into the playoffs.
FGC

FGC

COLLEGE SOFTBALL: FGC splits two more doubleheaders to stay at .500

NEWS STAFF
Sunday, February 4, 2024
For the second straight week, Florida Gateway College split a pair of doubleheaders. The Timberwolves defeated East Georgia State College 9-0 but then dropped the second game 3-1 in a road doubleheader on Tuesday before following it up with a 4-1 loss and a 5-2 win over the school at home Saturday.
FGC forward Ty'jahn Wright looks to pass against Palm Beach State College on Jan. 17. (COURTESY OF FGC)

FGC forward Ty'jahn Wright looks to pass against Palm Beach State College on Jan. 17. (COURTESY OF FGC)

COLLEGE BASKETBALL: FGC rallies to top FSCJ, pulls within a game of first place in Region 8

NEWS STAFF
Sunday, February 4, 2024
JACKSONVILLE — Ty’jahn Wright scored 22 points, Antewan Webber had 19 points with five rebounds and five assists, and Oakley Lewis added 17 points to lead Florida Gateway College to a 103-94 come-from-behind road win over Florida State College at Jacksonville on Saturday afternoon.
Columbia guard Zamarion Jones rises to shoot against Suwannee on Tuesday night. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Special to the Reporter)

Columbia guard Zamarion Jones rises to shoot against Suwannee on Tuesday night. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Special to the Reporter)

BOYS BASKETBALL: Columbia loses tight contest to Kathleen at Mosaic Stinger Shootout

NEWS STAFF
Saturday, February 3, 2024
BARTOW — Columbia fell to Kathleen 47-45 in the Mosaic Stinger Shootout at Bartow High School on Saturday morning in its regular-season finale. Jeremy Nixon scored 17 points and grabbed seven rebounds while Rashard Kelly added 11 to lead the Red Devils (4-19) to a rare win this season.
Columbia forward Jalen Gaskins (middle) fights for a rebound with Suwannee guards Jamarcus Cherry (11) and Jhy Smith (2) during Tuesday’s game. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Special to the Reporter)

Columbia forward Jalen Gaskins (middle) fights for a rebound with Suwannee guards Jamarcus Cherry (11) and Jhy Smith (2) during Tuesday’s game. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Special to the Reporter)

BOYS & GIRLS BASKETBALL: Playoff seeding, berths at stake in next week's district tournaments

JORDAN KROEGER
Saturday, February 3, 2024
District tournaments begin next week for boys and girls basketball. Here’s where, and who, the area teams will play and where they sit in their respective playoff races. BOYS DISTRICT 2-5A Quarterfinals at higher seed; semifinals and championship at Rickards Schedule: Feb. 6, quarterfinals: No.