Sports

Columbia guard Kinley Cothran led the Tigers with 12 points but it wasn't enough as they fell to Chiles 62-40 in the District 2-5A quarterfinals on Monday. (FILE)

Columbia guard Kinley Cothran led the Tigers with 12 points but it wasn't enough as they fell to Chiles 62-40 in the District 2-5A quarterfinals on Monday. (FILE)

GIRLS BASKETBALL: Columbia falls to Chiles in District 2-5A quarterfinals

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, February 3, 2026
No. 4 seed Chiles rolled past No. 5 seed Columbia 62-40 in the District 2-5A quarterfinals Monday night in Tallahassee. Lainey Crisafulli scored 18 points to lead the Timberwolves (14-10) while Logan Poole added 15 and Kaitlyn Fagan finished with 15.
Branford goalkeeper Samantha Ray makes a save against Dixie County in the District 2-2A championship on Jan. 26. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

Branford goalkeeper Samantha Ray makes a save against Dixie County in the District 2-2A championship on Jan. 26. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

GIRLS SOCCER: Providence mercy rules Branford in Region 1-2A quarterfinals

NEWS STAFF
Monday, February 2, 2026
JACKSONVILLE — Three corner kicks led to three goals in the first seven minutes and top-seeded Providence never looked back, rolling to an 8-0 mercy-rule win over No. 8 seed Branford in the Region 1-2A quarterfinals Monday night.
The Suwannee girls weightlifting team won the Region 2-1A titles in traditional and Olympic on Saturday. (COURTESY)

The Suwannee girls weightlifting team won the Region 2-1A titles in traditional and Olympic on Saturday. (COURTESY)

VARSITY WEEKLY: Suwannee girls retake regional weightlifting crowns

JAMIE WACHTER
Monday, February 2, 2026
The Suwannee girls weightlifting team is back atop the region. After being edged by Wewahitchka last year, the Bulldogs topped the host Gators in both the traditional — 62 to 45 — and Olympic — 59 to 54 — events Saturday to sweep the Region 2-1A titles.
Columbia guard Shaheed White goes up for a layup against The Rock on Jan. 6. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia guard Shaheed White goes up for a layup against The Rock on Jan. 6. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP BASKETBALL: District tourneys key to playoff hopes

JORDAN KROEGER
Friday, January 30, 2026
Girls basketball district tournaments begin Monday, while the boys’ tournaments tip off Tuesday. Here’s who the area teams will play and where they sit in their respective playoff races. BOYS DISTRICT 2-5A All games at higher seeds Schedule: Feb. 3, quarterfinals: No. 5 Chiles at No.
Suwannee's Rember Alonso (3) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against Williston on Nov. 21, 2025. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Lake City Reporter)

Suwannee's Rember Alonso (3) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against Williston on Nov. 21, 2025. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Lake City Reporter)

SOCCER: Suwannee boys earn 6 seed in Region 1-3A playoffs

JORDAN KROEGER
Thursday, January 29, 2026
For the first time since 2022, the Suwannee boys are headed to the playoffs. Against a familiar foe too. The Bulldogs drew the No. 6 seed in Region 1-3A and will travel to No. 3 seed Santa Fe for the quarterfinals on Tuesday, with kickoff set for 7 p.m.
Fort White running back John'l Lawson scores a touchdown against Lafayette on Oct. 3, 2025. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

Fort White running back John'l Lawson scores a touchdown against Lafayette on Oct. 3, 2025. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: FHSAA approves merging rest of Class Rural with 1A

JORDAN KROEGER
Thursday, January 29, 2026
Football’s Rural classification is gone, at least for now. The FHSAA Board of Directors voted 11-1 during an emergency meeting Thursday to merge the rest of the schools in Class Rural into Class 1A for the next two seasons.
Fort White guard Mariah Cox tries to find a driving lane against Williston on Tuesday. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Fort White guard Mariah Cox tries to find a driving lane against Williston on Tuesday. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

GIRLS BASKETBALL: Fort White falls to Class Rural No. 1 Williston

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, January 27, 2026
FORT WHITE — The Indians looked to have everything going their way early, even taking a lead out of the first quarter. But what began as a competitive shot at revenge quickly devolved into a never-ending game of catch-up.
The Branford boys soccer team shows off the District 2-2A championship trophy after defeating Hamilton County 5-0 on Tuesday. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Lake City Reporter)

The Branford boys soccer team shows off the District 2-2A championship trophy after defeating Hamilton County 5-0 on Tuesday. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Lake City Reporter)

PREP ROUNDUP: Contreras leads Branford boys to back-to-back district titles

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, January 27, 2026
Alejandro Contreras had himself a night. Thanks to him, the Branford Buccaneers are back-to-back district champions. Contreras scored four goals to lead No. 2 seed Branford to a 5-0 shutout over 4-seed Hamilton County in the District 2-2A championship Tuesday night at Bell High School.
Fort White running back John’l Lawson hits the hole against Port St. Joe during the FIT Championship on Dec. 5, 2025. (FILE)

Fort White running back John’l Lawson hits the hole against Port St. Joe during the FIT Championship on Dec. 5, 2025. (FILE)

VARSITY WEEKLY: FHSAA to consider eliminating football’s Rural class

JORDAN KROEGER
Tuesday, January 27, 2026
Football’s rural classification may be on the outs. The Florida High School Athletic Association will hold a Board of Directors meeting at 11 a.m. Thursday to address the mass exodus of schools from Class Rural.