Sports

Fort White guard Javiona Roberson drives to the rim against Madison County's Tahj Dobson during Friday's Region 3-R semifinal. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

Fort White guard Javiona Roberson drives to the rim against Madison County's Tahj Dobson during Friday's Region 3-R semifinal. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

GIRLS BASKETBALL: Fort White routs Madison County to set up Region 3-R final rematch

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Friday, February 13, 2026
FORT WHITE — Denied by a single bucket a year ago, the stage is set yet again for the Indians’ shot at a state Final Four appearance. All it took was getting over a minor hiccup in their regional semifinal matchup. No.
Suwannee’s girls weightlifting team finished runner-up in the traditional and Olympic events at the Class 1A state meet on Friday. (COURTESY)

Suwannee’s girls weightlifting team finished runner-up in the traditional and Olympic events at the Class 1A state meet on Friday. (COURTESY)

GIRLS WEIGHTLIFTING: Suwannee finishes runner-up at Class 1A state meet

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, February 13, 2026
LAKELAND — It wasn’t the big trophy, but that didn’t matter. Suwannee coach Dan Marsee and the Bulldogs were plenty thrilled to walk out of the RP Funding Center on Friday with a pair of Class 1A girls weightlifting runner-up trophies.
Tim Clark announced his resignation as Branford’s head coach on Friday after nine seasons. (FILE)

Tim Clark announced his resignation as Branford’s head coach on Friday after nine seasons. (FILE)

PREP FOOTBALL: Branford coach Tim Clark steps down after 9 seasons

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, February 13, 2026
BRANFORD — The opportunity was too good for Tim Clark to pass up. After nine seasons heading Branford’s football program, Clark told school administrators, his coaching staff and the Buccaneers players Friday that he was stepping down as coach of his alma mater.
Columbia guard Zadrian Knowlton shoots a 3-pointer against Leon during the District 2-5A semifinals on Feb. 5. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia guard Zadrian Knowlton shoots a 3-pointer against Leon during the District 2-5A semifinals on Feb. 5. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

BOYS BASKETBALL: Columbia preaching confidence, toughness entering Region 1-5A quarterfinal at Lincoln

JORDAN KROEGER
Friday, February 13, 2026
It’s been an ongoing conversation this week in practice. After the sting of a 56-41 loss to Leon in the District 2-5A semifinals, No. 6 seed Columbia (15-11) returned to the gym with a message. Shots that rimmed out need to be put away. Layups need to be finished through contact.
Columbia right fielder Tison McCray is tagged out by Buchholz third baseman Roen Kresak while trying to steal on Thursday. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia right fielder Tison McCray is tagged out by Buchholz third baseman Roen Kresak while trying to steal on Thursday. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP BASEBALL: Columbia's bats silenced in road loss to Buchholz

JORDAN KROEGER
Thursday, February 12, 2026
GAINESVILLE — The night started off great for Columbia. For the second straight game, shortstop Madden Mann sent a pitch flying high over the right field wall for a solo home run and an early 1-0 lead. But from that point on, it was all Buchholz.
Fort White guard Zuri Hollie drives to the basket against Taylor County during the District 6-R championship on Feb. 6. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Fort White guard Zuri Hollie drives to the basket against Taylor County during the District 6-R championship on Feb. 6. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

GIRLS BASKETBALL: Fort White focusing on ‘discipline’ ahead of playoffs

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
FORT WHITE — The Indians have been on this path before. Just last year, in fact.  Now, one win stands between them and a potential rematch with Hilliard for a regional title.  No. 2 seed Fort White is set to host No. 3 Madison County in the Region 3-R semifinals Friday for a 7 p.m. tip-off.
Columbia catcher Emily Delgado celebrates as she scores a run against Fort White last season. Delgado returns behind the plate this year for the Tigers. (FILE)

Columbia catcher Emily Delgado celebrates as she scores a run against Fort White last season. Delgado returns behind the plate this year for the Tigers. (FILE)

PREP SOFTBALL: Painful playoff exit motivating Columbia in 2026

JORDAN KROEGER
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
Columbia coach Joe Saucier keeps the lineup card in his notebook. The Tigers were on the brink of extra innings, eyeing a trip to the regional finals, but Fort Walton Beach shattered those dreams with a walk-off 4-3 victory in the bottom of the seventh inning.
Columbia pitcher Tison McCray slides safely into third base against Santa Fe on Monday. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia pitcher Tison McCray slides safely into third base against Santa Fe on Monday. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP BASEBALL: Columbia opens season with run-rule win over Santa Fe

JORDAN KROEGER
Monday, February 9, 2026
Trouble was brewing for Columbia in the top of the first inning. Starting pitcher Tison McCray walked back-to-back batters with one out and was then surrounded by loaded bases following a two-out error. But McCray took a breath, composed himself, and fired away a strikeout to escape unscathed.
Columbia guard Kadrian Wilson drives to the basket while tightly guarded by Leon forward Keon Green during the District 2-5A semifinals on Feb. 5. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia guard Kadrian Wilson drives to the basket while tightly guarded by Leon forward Keon Green during the District 2-5A semifinals on Feb. 5. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

BOYS BASKETBALL: Columbia earns No. 6 seed in Region 1-5A playoffs, will face Lincoln

JORDAN KROEGER
Monday, February 9, 2026
Last week’s loss to Leon in the District 2-5A semifinals left Columbia on the playoff bubble. On Monday, that bubble didn’t burst. The Tigers (15-12) were awarded the No. 6 seed in Region 1-5A playoffs and will travel to No. 3 seed Lincoln in the quarterfinals on Saturday at 7 p.m.