Sports

Columbia players regroup in the dugout after Camdon Frier (middle) hit a home run against Lincoln in the District 2-5A championship on Wednesday. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia players regroup in the dugout after Camdon Frier (middle) hit a home run against Lincoln in the District 2-5A championship on Wednesday. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP BASEBALL: Columbia goes from 1-seed to 2-seed, will host Pine Forest in playoffs

JORDAN KROEGER
Friday, May 5, 2023
Columbia believed it had the No. 1 seed in the Region 1-5A playoffs all but locked up after defeating Lincoln in the District 2-5A championship on Wednesday. Then Clay lost to Ridgeview on Thursday and it looked like a done deal.
Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson answers a question regarding first-round draft pick offensive lineman Anton Harrison at a news conference on April 28 in Jacksonville. (GARY MCCULLOUGH/Associated Press)

Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson answers a question regarding first-round draft pick offensive lineman Anton Harrison at a news conference on April 28 in Jacksonville. (GARY MCCULLOUGH/Associated Press)

NFL: Jaguars looking for pass rush help after free agency, draft

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Friday, May 5, 2023
JACKSONVILLE — The Jacksonville Jaguars are still in the market for a pass rusher, even after free agency and a draft in which they had the most picks (13) in franchise history. Fortunately for general manager Trent Baalke, there are plenty of available options.
Columbia players look on as Ridgeview celebrates with the District 2-5A trophy on Thursday night. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia players look on as Ridgeview celebrates with the District 2-5A trophy on Thursday night. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

PREP SOFTBALL: CHS leaves bases loaded in 7th, falls to Ridgeview in District 2-5A championship

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Friday, May 5, 2023
MIDDLEBURG — The bus rides finally caught up with the Tigers.  After knocking off the defending state champs in the District 2-5A semifinals on Tuesday, Columbia again boarded its bus for the hour-long trip to Middleburg on Thursday. On Tuesday, the metaphorical juice was flowing.
Fort White celebrates with the District 6-1A championship trophy after defeating Branford 7-0 on Thursday night. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Special to the Reporter)

Fort White celebrates with the District 6-1A championship trophy after defeating Branford 7-0 on Thursday night. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Special to the Reporter)

PREP SOFTBALL: Fort White shuts out Branford to win back-to-back District 6-1A titles

JORDAN KROEGER
Friday, May 5, 2023
BRANFORD — Two losses to Branford in the regular season didn’t psyche out Fort White. According to pitcher Kadence Compton, the Indians entered Round 3 calmer. If anything, the Buccaneers looked like the team under pressure, pressing far too often and making far too many mistakes.
Lafayette celebrates with the District 6-1A championship trophy after defeating Union County 9-8 on Thursday night. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Special to the Reporter)

Lafayette celebrates with the District 6-1A championship trophy after defeating Union County 9-8 on Thursday night. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Special to the Reporter)

PREP BASEBALL: Lafayette rallies from 6 runs down to beat Union County for District 6-1A title

CONCEPCION LEDEZMA
Friday, May 5, 2023
BRANFORD — During its current exceptional season, top-ranked Lafayette had not given up a half-dozen runs through 22 games. It happened in Thursday's District 6-1A championship, in the top of the first inning when No. 2 seed Union County put LHS in a 6-0 hole at Branford High.
Lafayette quarterback Tywan Williamson tosses a pass during a rollout on the third day of the Hornets’ spring practices on Wednesday. Williamson, a rising sophomore, will be trusted with more of the playbook this upcoming season, according to head coach Marcus Edwards. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Lafayette quarterback Tywan Williamson tosses a pass during a rollout on the third day of the Hornets’ spring practices on Wednesday. Williamson, a rising sophomore, will be trusted with more of the playbook this upcoming season, according to head coach Marcus Edwards. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Young Hornets not satisfied yet as spring practice begins

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Wednesday, May 3, 2023
MAYO — Coming off a surprising playoff run with a surprisingly young roster, Lafayette is looking to make that journey under the same circumstances yet again.
Columbia basketball players Isaac Broxey (from left), D’Maceo Sheppard and Ty’jahn Wright signed letters of intent to play at Florida Gateway College on Wednesday. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia basketball players Isaac Broxey (from left), D’Maceo Sheppard and Ty’jahn Wright signed letters of intent to play at Florida Gateway College on Wednesday. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

COLLEGE SIGNINGS: CHS hoops trio signs with FGC, softball ace Hughes with FAMU

JORDAN KROEGER
Wednesday, May 3, 2023
Isaac Broxey, Ty’jahn Wright and D’Maceo Sheppard are running it back. The Columbia basketball trio all signed their letters of intent to play at Florida Gateway College on Wednesday afternoon.
Columbia pitcher Zoryana Hughes winds up to pitch against Middleburg in the District 2-5A semifinals on Tuesday night. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia pitcher Zoryana Hughes winds up to pitch against Middleburg in the District 2-5A semifinals on Tuesday night. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

PREP SOFTBALL: Hughes, Columbia shut down Middleburg in District 2-5A semis

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, May 2, 2023
MIDDLEBURG — Sally Russell called her shot hours before the game. The mother to Zoryana Hughes was talking up her daughter about the Columbia’s District 2-5A semifinal showdown with Middleburg earlier in the day when she made a bold prediction.