Sports

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis amended the state’s NIL law on Thursday in Tallahassee (Executive Office of the Governor)

COLLEGE ATHLETICS: Florida allows universities to help set up athlete pay deals

Thursday, February 16, 2023

TALLAHASSEE — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill Thursday to allow universities to help set up endorsement deals for college athletes in the state.

FGC guard Jeremiah Barze goes up for a shot while being defended by Palm Beach State College guard Ryan Moore on Wednesday at the Howard Center. (COURTESY OF FGC)

MEN'S COLLEGE BASKETBALL: FGC holds off late rally by Palm Beach State

NEWS STAFF

Thursday, February 16, 2023

Eric Canavan had a double-double with 18 points and 14 rebounds, while Antewan Webber scored 18 more points off the bench to help Florida Gateway College hold off a late rally by Palm Beach State College for a 78-74 win Wednesday night at the Howard Center.

Columbia High track and field head coach Lawrence Davis (left) instructs runners during a Wednesday afternoon practice at the track in Tiger Stadium. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

PREP TRACK & FIELD: District using sales tax funds to improve school tracks

TONY BRITT

Wednesday, February 15, 2023

AAU, regional and state level track meets could be racing to Columbia County in the near future.

Columbia guard Isaac Broxey flies to the basket for a shot against Rickards during the District 2-5A championship last Friday. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

BOYS BASKETBALL: Pine Forest rolls in to face Columbia in Region 1-5A quarterfinals

JORDAN KROEGER

Wednesday, February 15, 2023

Pine Forest isn’t your typical sixth seed. The Eagles are armed with two athletic guards, the experience of a Final Four trip last season, and are fresh off a district title while playing their best basketball of the season.

Columbia linebacker Jaden Robinson returns an interception for a touchdown against Escambia during the Region 1-3S semifinals on Nov. 18, 2022. (FILE)

PREP FOOTBALL: 4 from Columbia, 2 from Suwannee named to all-state first teams

JORDAN KROEGER

Wednesday, February 15, 2023

FloridaHSFootball.com released it’s all-state teams this week and several players in the area were recognized.

UF

MEN'S COLLEGE BASKETBALL: Florida tops Ole Miss to snap 3-game skid, Castleton breaks hand

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Wednesday, February 15, 2023

GAINESVILLE — Myreon Jones scored 15 points on five 3-pointers and short-handed Florida beat Mississippi 79-64 on Wednesday night to snap a three-game losing streak.

FSU

MEN'S COLLEGE BASKETBALL: Florida State gets blasted by clemson

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Wednesday, February 15, 2023

CLEMSON, S.C.— PJ Hall scored 20 points, Chase Hunter added 18 and Clemson jumped out early and cruised to a 94-54 victory over Florida State on Wednesday night to end a three-game skid. Clemson (19-7, 11-4 ACC) shot 60% overall and made 12 of 25 from long range.

Columbia’s Seth Stockton competes in the triple jump last season. (FILE)

TRACK & FIELD PREVIEW: 10 athletes in the area to watch this season

JAMIE WACHTER

Tuesday, February 14, 2023

The area is loaded with returning regional qualifiers and state contenders. Here are five male and five female athletes to keep your eye on this track and field season.

Columbia’s Cassidy O’Neal returns a shot against Baker County on Tuesday. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

TENNIS PREVIEW: Young, inexperienced squads at Columbia, Suwannee temper expectations

JORDAN KROEGER

Tuesday, February 14, 2023

COLUMBIA (BOYS) COACH: Deborah Cathey (1st season) DISTRICT: 4-3A (Belleview, Clay, Fleming Island, Gainesville, Lecanto, Middleburg, Ridgeview) KEY DEPARTURES: Camrin Wilcoxon, Aidan Boudreau, Micah Miller, Rodney Skyler Dutch, Nicolas Vasquez Contreras, McKinnen Bell KEY RETURNERS: Matthew...

CHS, FWHS, LHS, SHS, BHS

PREP ROUNDUP: Scores and stats from 2/13/23

NEWS STAFF

Tuesday, February 14, 2023

BASEBALL — Columbia 7, St. John’s Country Day 7: Camdon Frier and Ayden Phillips both homered for the Tigers, who tied with the Spartans in their preseason opener on Monday at St. John’s Country Day. Matt Dumas, Branson Mann, Carston Palmer and Frier also hit doubles for CHS.