Sports

Columbia third baseman Hayden Gustavson (right) celebrates at home plate with first baseman Brent Howard (10) and outfielder Matthew Dumas (5) after hitting a 3-run home run against Valwood in the first inning Monday night. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia third baseman Hayden Gustavson (right) celebrates at home plate with first baseman Brent Howard (10) and outfielder Matthew Dumas (5) after hitting a 3-run home run against Valwood in the first inning Monday night. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

PREP BASEBALL: Gustavson homers, Columbia's bats stay hot in mercy-rule win over Valwood

JORDAN KROEGER
Monday, March 14, 2022
Good luck beating the Tigers if they keep hitting the baseball like this. Columbia continued crushing pitchers on Monday night, highlighted by a 6-run first inning that included a 3-run homer by Hayden Gustavson.
Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson speaks during a press conference at the NFL scouting combine on March 1 in Indianapolis. (MICHAEL CONROY/Associated Press)

Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson speaks during a press conference at the NFL scouting combine on March 1 in Indianapolis. (MICHAEL CONROY/Associated Press)

NFL: Jaguars open free agency with 6 splashy moves

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Monday, March 14, 2022
JACKSONVILLE — No one should be calling Jacksonville Jaguars general manager Trent Baalke a clown right now.
Florida head coach Kelly Rae Finley talks with Kiara Smith during a game against Vanderbilt at the women's Southeastern Conference tournament on March 3 in Nashville, Tenn. (MARK HUMPHREY/Associated Press)

Florida head coach Kelly Rae Finley talks with Kiara Smith during a game against Vanderbilt at the women's Southeastern Conference tournament on March 3 in Nashville, Tenn. (MARK HUMPHREY/Associated Press)

WOMEN'S COLLEGE BASKETBALL: Florida takes high road after NCAA makes them 10 seed

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Monday, March 14, 2022
GAINESVILLE — Florida coach Kelly Rae Finley could have ranted about her team’s placement in the NCAA women’s tournament, and likely no one would have blamed her. The Gators (21-10) were handed a No.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) calls a play against the Los Angeles Rams during a divisional round playoff game on Jan. 23 in Tampa. (JASON BEHNKEN/Associated Press)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) calls a play against the Los Angeles Rams during a divisional round playoff game on Jan. 23 in Tampa. (JASON BEHNKEN/Associated Press)

NFL: Tom Brady is returning to Tampa to play a 23rd season

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Sunday, March 13, 2022
TAMPA — Tom Brady’s retirement lasted 40 days. Brady said Sunday he’s returning to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for his 23rd NFL season. The seven-time Super Bowl champion announced his decision on Twitter and Instagram, saying he has “unfinished business.
Florida head coach Mike White directs his players during a game against Texas A&M at the Southeastern Conference tournament on March 10 in Tampa. (CHRIS O’MEARA/Associated Press)

Florida head coach Mike White directs his players during a game against Texas A&M at the Southeastern Conference tournament on March 10 in Tampa. (CHRIS O’MEARA/Associated Press)

MEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL: Mike White leaving Florida to take over Georgia

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Sunday, March 13, 2022
Georgia lured Mike White away from Southeastern Conference rival Florida on Sunday, a surprising hire by the Bulldogs' moribund basketball program only three days after Tom Crean was fired.
Fort White outfielder Morgan Kelly is all smiles as she heads toward home plate after hitting a home run against Lafayette on Thursday night. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Fort White outfielder Morgan Kelly is all smiles as she heads toward home plate after hitting a home run against Lafayette on Thursday night. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

PREP SOFTBALL: Fort White rallies past Lafayette with big fifth inning

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Thursday, March 10, 2022
MAYO — Kadence Compton really can do it all. Relieving starter Hannah LeBleu after two innings, Compton proceeded to shut the door on Lafayette through the next five innings, both in the circle and at the plate.
CHS, FWHS, SHS & BHS

CHS, FWHS, SHS & BHS

PREP ROUNDUP: Results and stats from Thursday’s softball games

NEWS STAFF
Thursday, March 10, 2022
Here's a look at the results and stats from Thursday's softball games in the area: — Suwannee 15, Godby 0: Karis Smith threw a perfect game in three innings to lead the Bulldogs (2-5) past the Cougars (1-3) at home Thursday night. Smith struck out seven batters and also scored three runs.
FGC’s basketball team celebrates after defeating Fayetteville Tech to win the South Atlantic District B championship on Saturday. (COURTESY)

FGC’s basketball team celebrates after defeating Fayetteville Tech to win the South Atlantic District B championship on Saturday. (COURTESY)

MEN'S COLLEGE BASKETBALL: FGC will face top-seeded South Suburban College in NJCAA tournament

JORDAN KROEGER
Thursday, March 10, 2022
Florida Gateway College is all set for the NJCAA Division II National Championships. The Timberwolves (17-9) clinched a spot in the 16-team tournament after defeating Fayetteville Tech 80-77 on Saturday in the South Atlantic District B championship.
Texas A&M guard Hassan Diarra makes the game-winning shot over Florida guard Kowacie Reeves during overtime of Thursday's game at the Southeastern Conference tournament in Tampa. (CHRIS O'MEARA/Associated Press)

Texas A&M guard Hassan Diarra makes the game-winning shot over Florida guard Kowacie Reeves during overtime of Thursday's game at the Southeastern Conference tournament in Tampa. (CHRIS O'MEARA/Associated Press)

MEN'S COLLEGE BASKETBALL: Diarra's 3 spoils Gator comeback, lifts A&M to OT win in SEC tourney

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Thursday, March 10, 2022
TAMPA — Hassan Diarra drained a 3-pointer from the top of the key with 0.4 seconds left in overtime to give Texas A&M an 83-80 win over Florida in the second round of the Southeastern Conference tournament on Thursday.