Sports

Columbia guard Isaac Broxey rises for a layup against Ridgeview in the District 2-5A semifinals on Feb. 8. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia guard Isaac Broxey rises for a layup against Ridgeview in the District 2-5A semifinals on Feb. 8. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

BOYS BASKETBALL: Focused, energized Columbia ready for Mainland in Region 1-5A final

JORDAN KROEGER
Thursday, February 23, 2023
It was four weeks ago that Columbia got ‘punked,’ as head coach Steve Faulkner puts it. Santa Fe handed the Tigers their lunch in a 57-49 loss, a game where they trailed by 15 at halftime. It proved to be a wakeup call, an eye opener for Columba, which hasn’t lost since. Six wins in a row.
CHS, FWHS, SHS, BHS, LHS

CHS, FWHS, SHS, BHS, LHS

PREP ROUNDUP: Scores and stats from 2/22/23

NEWS STAFF
Thursday, February 23, 2023
 SOFTBALL — Columbia 7, Taylor County 6: Anna Dansby went 2 for 4 with three RBIs and a double, McKenna O’Sullivan went 3 for 3 with two RBIs and a double, and the Tigers held on to beat the Bulldogs on the road Wednesday night.
Kolt Myers slides into home plate safely, beating a tag from Columbia catcher Hayden Gustavson on Wednesday night. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Kolt Myers slides into home plate safely, beating a tag from Columbia catcher Hayden Gustavson on Wednesday night. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP BASEBALL: Frier thrown out at the plate on final play, Columbia drops opener to Bartram Trail

JORDAN KROEGER
Wednesday, February 22, 2023
Down a run and with a chance to tie the game in the bottom of the seventh inning, Camdon Frier rounded third base, paused for a quick second, then heard Columbia head coach Chris Howard yell ‘go!’ That one second cost the Tigers.
FGC receiver Destiny Lockett looks in a pass during Tuesday’s practice. (COURTESY OF FGC )

FGC receiver Destiny Lockett looks in a pass during Tuesday’s practice. (COURTESY OF FGC )

COLLEGE FLAG FOOTBALL: FGC excited, hopeful as first season kicks off

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, February 22, 2023
History will happen Saturday at the Florida Gateway College multi-purpose facility — or the former Boys Club building. FGC’s flag football program will be making its debut at 1 p.m. against visiting Xavier University with a doubleheader.
Kentucky guard Cason Wallace drives against Florida guard Niels Lane on Wednesday in Gainesville. (ALAN YOUNGBLOOD/Associated Press)

Kentucky guard Cason Wallace drives against Florida guard Niels Lane on Wednesday in Gainesville. (ALAN YOUNGBLOOD/Associated Press)

MEN'S COLLEGE BASKETBALL: Kentucky beats Florida for third straight win

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Wednesday, February 22, 2023
GAINESVILLE — Oscar Tshiebwe scored 25 points, Jacob Toppin had 19 points and 11 rebounds and Kentucky beat Florida 82-74 on Wednesday night for its third straight victory. Toppin closed a 15-4 run with a 3-pointer and fast-break dunk to give Kentucky a 74-63 lead with 3:43 left.
CHS, FWHS, SHS, BHS, LHS

CHS, FWHS, SHS, BHS, LHS

PREP ROUNDUP: Scores and stats from 2/21/23

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, February 22, 2023
SOFTBALL — Fort White 14, Madison County 2: Kadence Compton struck out 16 batters and allowed just three hits and three walks to lead the Indians (1-0) past the Cowgirls (0-1) on the road Tuesday night in their season opener. Morgan Kelly went 1 for 3 with a double and three RBIs.
Columbia guard Isaac Broxey gets to the rim for a layup against Pine Forest during the Region 1-5A quarterfinals last Thursday. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia guard Isaac Broxey gets to the rim for a layup against Pine Forest during the Region 1-5A quarterfinals last Thursday. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

BOYS BASKETBALL: Big third quarter rallies Columbia past Booker T. Washington & into regional finals

JORDAN KROEGER
Tuesday, February 21, 2023
PENSACOLA — Tray Tolliver returned at just the right time. With Columbia down six and Booker T. Washington on the verge of pulling away in the third quarter, Tolliver turned the game around with his decision making.
Columbia pitcher Madelyn Jones high-fives head coach Cindy Dansby as she walks back to the dugout following an inning against Bradford on Monday night. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia pitcher Madelyn Jones high-fives head coach Cindy Dansby as she walks back to the dugout following an inning against Bradford on Monday night. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP SOFTBALL: Columbia cruises past Bradford in season opener

CONCEPCION LEDEZMA
Monday, February 20, 2023
A five-run first inning and some timely pitching from Madelyn Jones allowed Columbia to cruise past Bradford for a promising 9-3 victory in the teams’ season-opener Monday night at CHS.