Sports

Branford’s Madyson Sikes scores the game-winning run against Suwannee on Tuesday night. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Special to the Reporter)

Branford’s Madyson Sikes scores the game-winning run against Suwannee on Tuesday night. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Special to the Reporter)

PREP SOFTBALL: Branford outlasts county rival Suwannee in 9 innings

CONCEPCION LEDEZMA
Tuesday, April 11, 2023
BRANFORD — Extra inning thrillers tend to be the trend lately for county rivals Suwannee and Branford. Playing in a third consecutive extra-inning game, Branford pulled off its third straight victory.
Suwannee’s Chris Gonzalez performs the clean and jerk during the Region 2-1A meet on Friday. Gonzalez won regional titles in the traditional and Olympic in the 119 weight class to qualify for state in both events. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Special to the Reporter)

Suwannee’s Chris Gonzalez performs the clean and jerk during the Region 2-1A meet on Friday. Gonzalez won regional titles in the traditional and Olympic in the 119 weight class to qualify for state in both events. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Special to the Reporter)

BOYS WEIGHTLIFTING: Suwannee leads area with 19 state qualifiers, Columbia has 4

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, April 11, 2023
LIVE OAK — Qualifying nearly its entire team — with most also seeded to score points — Suwannee is in a good spot heading into Saturday’s Class 1A state meet.
Florida football coach Billy Napier paces the sidelines during a game against Missouri on Oct. 8, 2022, in Gainesville. Florida Victorious formally launched on Tuesday with hopes of raising money to fund NIL deals for student-athletes — and ultimately help the Gators get back to national prominence in football and men’s basketball. (JOHN RAOUX/AP File)

Florida football coach Billy Napier paces the sidelines during a game against Missouri on Oct. 8, 2022, in Gainesville. Florida Victorious formally launched on Tuesday with hopes of raising money to fund NIL deals for student-athletes — and ultimately help the Gators get back to national prominence in football and men’s basketball. (JOHN RAOUX/AP File)

COLLEGE ATHLETICS: Gators launch 'Florida Victorious' to revamp, streamline NIL

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Tuesday, April 11, 2023
GAINESVILLE — Three months after losing blue-chip quarterback Jaden Rashada over a failed name, image and likeness deal worth nearly $14 million, the University of Florida is revamping and streamlining its fundraising collective.
Columbia guard Isaac Broxey is the LCR’s Boys Basketball Player of the Year for the second straight season. (MANDI SLOAN/Special to the Reporter)

Columbia guard Isaac Broxey is the LCR’s Boys Basketball Player of the Year for the second straight season. (MANDI SLOAN/Special to the Reporter)

WINTER ALL-AREA: Broxey repeats as LCR's Boys Basketball Player of the Year

JORDAN KROEGER
Saturday, April 8, 2023
Steve Faulkner’s phone was routinely buzzing this offseason. After missing the playoffs last season for the first time since 2017, Columbia guard Isaac Broxey wanted to get in the gym every chance he could get. So much so, he couldn’t stop bugging his coach, who lives near the school.
Columbia pitcher Josh Fernald celebrates after finishing off a no-hitter against Buchholz on Friday night. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia pitcher Josh Fernald celebrates after finishing off a no-hitter against Buchholz on Friday night. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

PREP BASEBALL: Columbia run-rules Buchholz behind Fernald’s no-hitter

JORDAN KROEGER
Friday, April 7, 2023
GAINESVILLE — Columbia pitcher Josh Fernald and catcher Hayden Gustavson both felt good about Friday’s matchup at Buchholz following their bullpen session. Call them prophetic after Fernald’s masterful performance.
Suwannee lifter Will Wainwright gets some encouragement from head coach Dan Marsee during Friday’s Region 2-1A meet. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Special to the Reporter)

Suwannee lifter Will Wainwright gets some encouragement from head coach Dan Marsee during Friday’s Region 2-1A meet. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Special to the Reporter)

BOYS WEIGHTLIFTING: Suwannee splits regional titles ahead of state meet

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, April 7, 2023
LIVE OAK — Heading into Friday’s Region 2-1A meet, Suwannee boys weightlifting coach Dan Marsee figured the Bulldogs would split the region titles with Keystone Heights. Marsee was right, but it didn’t turn out exactly like he figured.
Columbia point guard Eriel Baker is the LCR’s Girls Basketball Player of the Year. (JEN CHASTEEN/Special to the Reporter)

Columbia point guard Eriel Baker is the LCR’s Girls Basketball Player of the Year. (JEN CHASTEEN/Special to the Reporter)

WINTER ALL-AREA: Columbia guard Eriel Baker named LCR's Girls Basketball Player of the Year

JORDAN KROEGER
Friday, April 7, 2023
Eriel Baker had big shoes to fill this season. Columbia’s sophomore point guard was tasked with replacing Na’Haviya Paxton, who was a 3-time LCR Player of the Year and one of the best to suit up in program history. But Baker never tried to be like Paxton.
Fort White catcher Morgan (left) celebrates with coach Chad Padgett (middle) and pitcher Kadence Compton (24) after hitting a walk-off RBI single to defeat Baldwin on Thursday night. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

Fort White catcher Morgan (left) celebrates with coach Chad Padgett (middle) and pitcher Kadence Compton (24) after hitting a walk-off RBI single to defeat Baldwin on Thursday night. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

PREP SOFTBALL: Fort White ends skid with huge win over highly-ranked Baldwin

JORDAN KROEGER
Thursday, April 6, 2023
FORT WHITE — A team meeting was called with Fort White mired in a three-game losing streak. A wakeup call was needed to get the Indians’ season back on track, and the message was clearly heard after their biggest win of the season one day later.