Sports

Columbia receiver Kyren Caldwell turns up field after making a catch against Rickards during the Region 1-4A quarterfinals on Nov. 14, 2025. (FILE)

Columbia receiver Kyren Caldwell turns up field after making a catch against Rickards during the Region 1-4A quarterfinals on Nov. 14, 2025. (FILE)

PREP FOOTBALL: Columbia 3-star WR Kyren Caldwell commits to Maryland

JORDAN KROEGER
Saturday, July 4, 2026
Columbia rising senior receiver Kyren Caldwell had his pick of some of college football's biggest programs, but when it came time to make his decision, the answer wasn't found in national prestige.Instead, he followed a feeling he couldn't ignore.Caldwell committed to Maryland on Saturday over...
Columbia center Ty’avious Cooper dunks against Newberry during the Tigers’ summer league finale on Tuesday. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia center Ty’avious Cooper dunks against Newberry during the Tigers’ summer league finale on Tuesday. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

BOYS BASKETBALL: Columbia shows off improved shooting, balanced attack in successful summer

JORDAN KROEGER
Wednesday, July 1, 2026
The momentum from last season’s regional final run carried right into the summer for Columbia.Over the course of 25 games, the Tigers showed off their growth, improved shooting and team defense that translated into several wins that’s built plenty of optimism heading into next season.Columbia...
Fort White guard Tylan James drives to the basket against Williston during Tuesday’s summer league contest. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Fort White guard Tylan James drives to the basket against Williston during Tuesday’s summer league contest. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

BOYS BASKETBALL: Fort White a work in progress this summer

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Wednesday, July 1, 2026
FORT WHITE — Though there’s still roughly six months before the first tip-off that matters, Fort White is working to figure out how to best approach next season.The Indians’ final week of summer league turned up a 73-44 loss to Williston on Tuesday.
Recent Columbia graduate Bella Guerrier-Lajoir shows off her medals after going 8-0 to earn All-American honors at the AAU Scholastic Duals over the weekend. (COURTESY)

Recent Columbia graduate Bella Guerrier-Lajoir shows off her medals after going 8-0 to earn All-American honors at the AAU Scholastic Duals over the weekend. (COURTESY)

GIRLS WRESTLING: Columbia grad Guerrier-Lajoir earns program’s first All-American honors

JORDAN KROEGER
Tuesday, June 30, 2026
Bella Guerrier-Lajoir’s senior season ended one victory shy of the state tournament, leaving her questioning whether her career was over.Instead, just a few months later, the recent Columbia graduate accomplished something no female wrestler in school history had done before.Guerrier-Lajoir went a...
Branford first baseman Mallory Blue watches her home run soar over the fence against Fort White during the District 6-R semifinals on April 28. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

Branford first baseman Mallory Blue watches her home run soar over the fence against Fort White during the District 6-R semifinals on April 28. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP SOFTBALL: Branford P/1B Blue signs with Grambling State

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, June 30, 2026
BRANFORD — Mallory Blue couldn’t ignore the call of opportunity coming from Louisiana.The former Branford first baseman and pitcher changed up her college plans this month, officially signing with Grambling State University to continue her softball journey.
Three area teams and seven individuals won state titles during the 2025-26 school year, while others made deep postseason runs. (FILE PHOTOS)

Three area teams and seven individuals won state titles during the 2025-26 school year, while others made deep postseason runs. (FILE PHOTOS)

COMMENTARY: Top 10 moments from the 2025-26 school year

JORDAN KROEGER
Friday, June 26, 2026
This school year was one to remember. We finally saw teams break through for state titles, while other individuals won championships of their own. But what was the best of the best?Let’s take a look back at the top 10 moments from the 2025-26 school year.10.
Suwannee catcher Jace Moran is the LCR’s Baseball Player of the Year. (COURTESY)

Suwannee catcher Jace Moran is the LCR’s Baseball Player of the Year. (COURTESY)

SPRING ALL-AREA: Suwannee catcher Jace Moran named LCR's Baseball Player of the Year

JAMIE WACHTER
Thursday, June 25, 2026
LIVE OAK — The brutal schedule — the eighth toughest in the state — was compiled for a reason.Knowing that South Walton and its pair of aces in Coleman Borthwick and Denton Lord was waiting in the Region 1-3A playoffs, Suwannee coach Billy Moran wanted to test the Bulldogs early and often in...
Columbia state champion Garret Shipley is the LCR’s Boys Weightlifter of the Year. (COURTESY)

Columbia state champion Garret Shipley is the LCR’s Boys Weightlifter of the Year. (COURTESY)

SPRING ALL-AREA: Columbia state champion Garret Shipley named LCR's Boys Weightlifter of the Year

JORDAN KROEGER
Saturday, June 20, 2026
For three years, Garret Shipley had a singular goal of winning a state title.By the time his senior season ended, he achieved that and plenty more.Shipley capped a historic career at Columbia by winning the Class 2A state title in traditional in the 219 class while helping the Tigers claim their...
Marcia Kazmierski (left) watches as Jensen Haire, 8, hits a tennis ball during the 10th annual James Montgomery Tennis Camp at Youngs Park on Thursday. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Marcia Kazmierski (left) watches as Jensen Haire, 8, hits a tennis ball during the 10th annual James Montgomery Tennis Camp at Youngs Park on Thursday. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

YOUTH TENNIS: James Montgomery Tennis Camp wraps up 10th year

TONY BRITT
Friday, June 19, 2026
From the basic mechanics of forehands and backhands to advanced tennis techniques such as serves and volleys, dozens of local youngsters learned tennis basics in a camp that took place this month.The James Montgomery Summer Tennis Camp has been taking place for the past few weeks at the tennis...