Sports

Columbia pitcher Brayden Thomas pitches against Eau Gallie during Thursday's Class 5A state semifinal. (CHRIS TILLEY/Special to the Reporter)

Columbia pitcher Brayden Thomas pitches against Eau Gallie during Thursday's Class 5A state semifinal. (CHRIS TILLEY/Special to the Reporter)

COMMENTARY: The bar has been raised for baseball at Columbia

JORDAN KROEGER
Friday, May 20, 2022
History can never be taken away. I hope this group at Columbia remembers that. What the Tigers accomplished this season was remarkable. It had never been done, making the Final Four for the first time in program history. Baseball isn’t exactly rich in playoff success at CHS.
Branford receiver Brice Criggall escapes a tackle during last season’s game against Williston. (FILE)

Branford receiver Brice Criggall escapes a tackle during last season’s game against Williston. (FILE)

PREP FOOTBALL: Branford answering questions as spring practice winds down

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, May 20, 2022
BRANFORD — Surveying his roster entering spring practice, Branford head coach Tim Clark saw holes all across the field. The openings left by departures of senior playmakers, though, didn’t phase Clark. Instead, it reinvigorated the Buccaneers’ sixth-year head coach.
Harvey Jones’ blue No. 6 car will be on display for fans on May 28 at All-Tech Raceway for the Crate USA Late Model Race. (COURTESY)

Harvey Jones’ blue No. 6 car will be on display for fans on May 28 at All-Tech Raceway for the Crate USA Late Model Race. (COURTESY)

AUTO RACING: Harvey Jones Memorial on deck for next week

TONY BRITT
Friday, May 20, 2022
ELLISVILLE — Harvey Jones spent years driving across the Southeast United States competing in races on dirt tracks and built a legacy as a top competitor.
Eau Gallie's Brandon Braggs slides safely into third base before Columbia's Ty Jackson can apply the tag during Thursday's Class 5A state semifinal at Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers. (CHRIS TILLEY/Special to the Reporter)

Eau Gallie's Brandon Braggs slides safely into third base before Columbia's Ty Jackson can apply the tag during Thursday's Class 5A state semifinal at Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers. (CHRIS TILLEY/Special to the Reporter)

PREP BASEBALL: Columbia's first trip to Final Four ends with loss to Eau Gallie in 5A semis

JORDAN KROEGER
Thursday, May 19, 2022
FORT MYERS — Just one ball left the infield for Columbia. Eau Gallie pitcher Garrett Smith threw the game of his life in the Class 5A state semifinals Thursday. He was so good, in fact, that he held down a lineup averaging more than six runs per game with a complete-game shutout.
Trinity Baptist coach Dan Robertson (left) stands with Noel Caballero and Caballero’s travel soccer coach Jared Albury during Thursday’s signing ceremony. (COURTESY)

Trinity Baptist coach Dan Robertson (left) stands with Noel Caballero and Caballero’s travel soccer coach Jared Albury during Thursday’s signing ceremony. (COURTESY)

BOYS SOCCER: Columbia's Noel Caballero inks LOI with Trinity Baptist

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Thursday, May 19, 2022
One of the Tigers’ top soccer players officially has a new home starting this fall. Noel Caballero put pen to paper this morning at Columbia High School to take his talents just a few miles east to Jacksonville, officially signing to play soccer at Trinity Baptist College.
Fort White shortstop Daniel Gonzalez (left) is late in applying a tag to a Holmes County runner at second base during Wednesday’s Class 1A state semifinal at Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers. (CHRIS TILLEY/Special to the Reporter)

Fort White shortstop Daniel Gonzalez (left) is late in applying a tag to a Holmes County runner at second base during Wednesday’s Class 1A state semifinal at Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers. (CHRIS TILLEY/Special to the Reporter)

PREP BASEBALL: Fort White’s historic season ends against Holmes County in 1A state semis

JORDAN KROEGER
Wednesday, May 18, 2022
FORT MYERS — Jonathan Fischer thought he had given Fort White an early 1-0 lead. A liner into the outfield had brought Tucker Hardee all the way home from second base before an incredibly late balk call changed the trajectory of the first inning, and maybe the game.
Former Columbia volleyball player Brandi Oliver rises up to hit against Fort White last season on Senior Night. (FILE)

Former Columbia volleyball player Brandi Oliver rises up to hit against Fort White last season on Senior Night. (FILE)

PREP SPORTS: FHSAA releases classifications for rest of fall sports

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, May 18, 2022
When Columbia’s golfers hit the links this fall, they’ll do so in a smaller class. The Florida High School Athletic Association released classifications for fall sports (other than football) on Wednesday and CHS has dropped to Class 2A in golf.