Sports

Columbia third baseman Josie Raulerson is all smiles as she rounds third base after hitting a solo home run against Buchholz last Thursday. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia third baseman Josie Raulerson is all smiles as she rounds third base after hitting a solo home run against Buchholz last Thursday. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

SOFTBALL NOTEBOOK: District showdown looms between Columbia and Baker County

JORDAN KROEGER
Tuesday, April 7, 2026
Every week, we get closer to a showdown between Columbia and Baker County for the District 3-4A championship. Maybe the Region 1-4A title too. The Tigers (15-3) remained third overall in Class 4A and second in Region 1 with a 19.
Columbia second baseman Madden Mann drives in a run against Keystone Heights on Monday. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia second baseman Madden Mann drives in a run against Keystone Heights on Monday. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

BASEBALL NOTEBOOK: Columbia drops to sixth in Region 1-5A rankings

JORDAN KROEGER
Tuesday, April 7, 2026
Last week’s three-game skid cost Columbia a spot in the Region 1-5A rankings. Potentially a home playoff game too. The Tigers (13-9) dropped to sixth in the region following the FHSAA’s latest rankings released Tuesday. They sit with a 15.
Columbia seniors Casen Maddox (from left), Colton Mote, Abraham Martinez, Tison McCray, Nolan Martin and Case Bennett were honored for Senior Night prior to Monday's win over Keystone Heights. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia seniors Casen Maddox (from left), Colton Mote, Abraham Martinez, Tison McCray, Nolan Martin and Case Bennett were honored for Senior Night prior to Monday's win over Keystone Heights. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP BASEBALL: Columbia snaps skid, run-rules Keystone Heights on Senior Night

JORDAN KROEGER
Monday, April 6, 2026
It was a special moment for Columbia coach Chris Howard and his six seniors. The group represented his first graduating class at CHS after taking over in 2022.
Suwannee shortstop Gabe Garcia (11) celebrates with teammates after hitting a three-RBI walk-off double to beat Columbia 8-7 in extra innings on Thursday. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Lake City Reporter)

Suwannee shortstop Gabe Garcia (11) celebrates with teammates after hitting a three-RBI walk-off double to beat Columbia 8-7 in extra innings on Thursday. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Lake City Reporter)

PREP BASEBALL: Garcia's 3-RBI walk-off rallies Suwannee over Columbia in extras

JORDAN KROEGER
Thursday, April 2, 2026
LIVE OAK — Gabe Garcia lined a pitch to right field. At first, it looked as if Columbia outfielder Case Bennett would catch it. But then the ball kept spinning. Fast. As it spun toward the foul line, it forced Bennett to dive for the ball, but he couldn’t reach it.
Columbia catcher Emily Delgado (22) signals she's safe at second base ahead of the tag from Buchholz second baseman Avery Fullam during Thursday's 4-2 win. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia catcher Emily Delgado (22) signals she's safe at second base ahead of the tag from Buchholz second baseman Avery Fullam during Thursday's 4-2 win. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

PREP SOFTBALL: Columbia outlasts Buchholz behind Stone's complete game

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Thursday, April 2, 2026
GAINESVILLE — Columbia head coach Joe Saucier knew the patience of his players would be tested Thursday night. And in a two-hour-long battle, the Tigers didn’t blink.
Fort White forward Jahlaya Wilson is the LCR’s Girls Basketball Player of the Year. (BREGAY HARRIS/Special to the Reporter)

Fort White forward Jahlaya Wilson is the LCR’s Girls Basketball Player of the Year. (BREGAY HARRIS/Special to the Reporter)

WINTER ALL-AREA: Fort White forward Jahlaya Wilson named LCR's Girls Basketball Player of the Year

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Thursday, April 2, 2026
FORT WHITE — There’s no mystery behind Jahlaya Wilson’s nickname.  The 6-foot-1 Indians forward already towers over most of her teammates and opponents on the court, and her long limbs make for great coverage. But ‘Tree’ Wilson is more than a moniker.