Sports

Fort White’s softball team won its first district and regional titles this season, advancing to the Class 1A state championship game as part of a 16-8 record. (FILE)

COMMENTARY: Top 10 moments from the 2021-22 school year

JORDAN KROEGER

Friday, June 24, 2022

It was a year full of accomplishments for Columbia and Suwannee counties. We had state champions, state medalists, Final Four runs and several district titles. Remember it all? No? That’s what I’m here for. Let’s take a look back at the top 10 moments from the 2021-2022 school year. 10.

Florida State head coach Leonard Hamilton smiles from the bench during a a game against Virginia on Feb. 26 in Charlottesville, Va. (AP FILE)

MEN'S COLLEGE BASKETBALL: Florida St. to host Purdue in ACC/Big 10 Challenge

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Friday, June 24, 2022

Florida State will host Purdue on Nov. 30 in the ACC Big Ten Challenge, the conferences announced Friday. National runner-up North Carolina, a strong contender for the No. 1 spot in the preseason polls with four starters returning, will play at Indiana in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge on Nov. 30.

Notre Dame head coach Link Jarrett (left) celebrates after the team defeated Tennessee in an NCAA super regional game on June 12 in Knoxville, Tenn. (RANDY SARTIN/Associated Press)

COLLEGE BASEBALL: Seminoles hire away Link Jarrett after Notre Dame's CWS run

NEWS STAFF

Friday, June 24, 2022

TALLAHASSEE — Link Jarrett, who led Notre Dame to the College World Series for the first time in 20 years, is Florida State's new coach. Florida State announced the hiring Friday, three days after the Irish's season ended in the CWS.

Paolo Banchero, right, poses for a photo with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver after being selected as the number one pick overall by the Orlando Magic in the NBA draft on Thursday in New York. (JOHN MINCHILLO/Associated Press)

NBA: Magic take Banchero 1st, Holmgren, Smith follow in draft

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Thursday, June 23, 2022

NEW YORK — The question for weeks leading into the NBA draft was whether the first pick would be Paolo Banchero, Chet Holmgren or Jabari Smith Jr. The answer finally came Thursday night — and even Banchero didn't know it until moments before the announcement of the Orlando Magic's selection.

Columbia’s Alex Ulloa puts a Brother Martin wrestler in a spladle during the Jazz Town Duals this past weekend. (COURTESY)

PREP WRESTLING: Young CHS squad places 10th at Jazz Town Duals

JORDAN KROEGER

Tuesday, June 21, 2022

NEW ORLEANS — With such a young squad on such a talented stage, Columbia head coach Pete Whittington wasn’t sure what to expect. But with three rising freshmen and a rising sophomore, the Tigers exceeded his expectations at the Jazz Town Duals this past weekend in New Orleans.

Columbia guard Isaac Broxey drives to the basket against St. John Paul II during the team’s shot clock league on June 8 at FGC. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

BOYS BASKETBALL: Summer rolls along for Columbia after rough weekend at Legacy Park

JORDAN KROEGER

Monday, June 20, 2022

Fresh off of an impressive run at Florida State’s camp one week earlier, Columbia head coach Steve Faulkner was eager to see how his team would build upon the success. Instead, the Tigers stumbled through the weekend after two overtime losses to begin Santa Fe’s team camp at Legacy Park.

Matthew Fitzpatrick celebrates with the trophy after winning the U.S. Open at The Country Club on Sunday in Brookline, Mass. (JULIO CORTEZ/Associated Press)

PRO GOLF: Fitzpatrick a winner again at Brookline as U.S. Open champion

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Sunday, June 19, 2022

BROOKLINE, Mass.— A playoff was looming Sunday in the U.S. Open, just like it always does at The Country Club, when Matt Fitzpatrick sized up his shot from a bunker left of the 18th fairway. He had a one-shot lead over Will Zalatoris and Masters champion Scottie Scheffler.

Suwannee first baseman/pitcher Matthew Gill is once again the LCR’s Baseball Player of the Year. (TAMMY JOHNS/Special to the LCR)

SPRING ALL-AREA: Gill repeats as LCR's Baseball Player of the Year

JORDAN KROEGER

Friday, June 17, 2022

Set for a rematch against Clay in the regional semifinals, Matthew Gill’s teammates received some curious text messages. They were from the Clay baseball team. The Blue Devils, who lost to Suwannee 14-2 earlier in the season with Gill on the mound, wanted to see the left-hander again.

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, center, celebrates with teammates as he holds the Bill Russell Trophy for Most Valuable Player after the Warriors beat the Boston Celtics in Game 6 of the NBA Finals on Thursday to win their fourth title in eight years. (STEVEN SENNE/Associated Press)

NBA: Warriors beat Celtics in Game 6 to win 4th NBA title in 8 years

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Thursday, June 16, 2022

BOSTON — The Golden State Warriors are NBA champions once again, topping the Boston Celtics 103-90 on Thursday night for their fourth title in the last eight seasons.

Fort White pitcher Kadence Compton is the LCR’s Softball Player of the Year. (JEN CHASTEEN/Special to the LCR)

SPRING ALL-AREA: Compton named LCR's Softball Player of the Year

MORGAN MCMULLEN

Thursday, June 16, 2022

FORT WHITE — Kadence Compton could’ve been the next batter. If Gracie Clemons’ hit had gotten through the Jay infield, Compton could’ve driven in the go-ahead run. She could’ve shut down the Royals in the bottom of the inning and won her team’s first state championship in program history.