Sports

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.
CHS, FWHS, SHS, BHS, LHS

CHS, FWHS, SHS, BHS, LHS

PREP ROUNDUP: Scores and stats from 2/20/23

NEWS STAFF
Monday, February 20, 2023
BASEBALL — Suwannee 14, Bradford 2: A 13-run third inning propelled the Bulldogs (1-0) to a run-rule victory over the Tornadoes (0-1) at home Monday night in their season opener.
Columbia forward Ty’jahn Wright rises for a dunk against Pine Forest during the Region 1-5A quarterfinals on Thursday. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia forward Ty’jahn Wright rises for a dunk against Pine Forest during the Region 1-5A quarterfinals on Thursday. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

BOYS BASKETBALL: Columbia heads to Booker T. Washington with 'us versus everyone' mentality

JORDAN KROEGER
Monday, February 20, 2023
Columbia head coach Steve Faulkner calls these kinds of games the “fun” ones. Just him and his team against everyone else in the gym. That’s how it’ll be tonight at Booker T. Washington in the Region 1-5A semifinals. The No. 3 seed Tigers (19-9) make the long trip west today to face the No.
Suwannee's girls weightlifting team won the Class 1A state titles in the traditional and Olympic on Saturday. (COURTESY)

Suwannee's girls weightlifting team won the Class 1A state titles in the traditional and Olympic on Saturday. (COURTESY)

GIRLS WEIGHTLIFTING: Suwannee sweeps Class 1A traditional & Olympic state titles

JAMIE WACHTER
Monday, February 20, 2023
For the third straight year, the Suwannee girls weightlifting team hoisted a state title. On Saturday, though, the Bulldogs topped themselves as they brought home a pair of team titles, sweeping the Class 1A traditional and Olympic event titles at the RP Funding Center.
Columbia’s Trevis Johnson won the 400m at the Santa Fe Raider Open Classic on Saturday. (COURTESY)

Columbia’s Trevis Johnson won the 400m at the Santa Fe Raider Open Classic on Saturday. (COURTESY)

PREP TRACK & FIELD: Columbia wins 8 events to open season at Santa Fe Raider Open Classic

NEWS STAFF
Sunday, February 19, 2023
Columbia’s track & field teams had a nice showing to open the season at the Santa Fe Raider Open Classic on Saturday. Five boys won their individual events, including Jasper White (11.18 in 100m), Trevis Johnson (49.66 in 400m), Jose Rodriguez (2:04.46 in 800m), Thomas Walker (18.