Sports

Fort White guard Tafari Moe rises for a shot while defended by Hawthorne guard CJ Ingram during the District 6-1A semifinals on Feb. 8. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Fort White guard Tafari Moe rises for a shot while defended by Hawthorne guard CJ Ingram during the District 6-1A semifinals on Feb. 8. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

BOYS BASKETBALL: Fort White tries to slow down Ingram, Hawthorne in regional rematch

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Wednesday, February 14, 2024
FORT WHITE — Despite the final score of last week’s District 6-1A semifinal loss to Hawthorne, Fort White head coach Elven Sheppard feels confident his team can close that gap. He won’t have to wait long to see if that’s true.
Columbia catcher Emily Delgado looks to the dugout during a game against Taylor County last season. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia catcher Emily Delgado looks to the dugout during a game against Taylor County last season. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

PREP SOFTBALL: Columbia turns to a trio of freshman pitchers with several starters returning behind them

JORDAN KROEGER
Tuesday, February 13, 2024
Having to replace Zoryana Hughes in the circle was inevitable for Columbia. Replacing McKenna O’Sullivan and Madelyn Jones too? That was unexpected. While Hughes graduated and signed to play at Florida A&M, O’Sullivan transferred to Gainesville and Jones opted not to play her senior season.
FGC’s Karis Smith readies for a pitch from East Georgia State College in the second game of a doubleheader on Feb. 3. The Timberwolves won 5-2 to kick off a 5-game win streak. (COURTESY OF FGC)

FGC’s Karis Smith readies for a pitch from East Georgia State College in the second game of a doubleheader on Feb. 3. The Timberwolves won 5-2 to kick off a 5-game win streak. (COURTESY OF FGC)

COLLEGE SOFTBALL: FGC’s bats come alive to spark 5-game win streak

JORDAN KROEGER
Tuesday, February 13, 2024
After splitting its first four doubleheaders of the season, FGC posted back-to-back sweeps last week. The Timberwolves beat Andrew College 10-8 and 21-0 last Wednesday, and then posted two run-rule victories over South Georgia State College on Saturday by scores of 13-0 and 11-3.
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.
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.
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.