Sports

Branford outfielder Ellie Frierson slides into home plate safely to score a run before Columbia catcher Haley Cook can apply a tag on Tuesday night. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

Branford outfielder Ellie Frierson slides into home plate safely to score a run before Columbia catcher Haley Cook can apply a tag on Tuesday night. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

PREP SOFTBALL: Branford run-rules Columbia in season opener

JORDAN KROEGER
Tuesday, February 22, 2022
BRANFORD — Two wild pitches and a ground out put three runs on the board for Branford in the first inning, but head coach Oscar Saavedra wasn’t satisfied. He wanted to see his team drive the ball against a pair of young Columbia pitchers.
Arkansas forward Jaylin Williams (10) defends against Florida forward Colin Castleton (12) during Tuesday's game in Gainesville. (MATT STAMEY/Associated Press)

Arkansas forward Jaylin Williams (10) defends against Florida forward Colin Castleton (12) during Tuesday's game in Gainesville. (MATT STAMEY/Associated Press)

COLLEGE BASKETBALL: No. 18 Arkansas stays hot, gets 1st win at Florida since '95

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Tuesday, February 22, 2022
GAINESVILLE — Nolan Richardson, Corliss Williamson and Scotty Thurman were on the floor for Arkansas’ last victory at Florida. The Razorbacks had made 14 consecutive trips to Gainesville since without tasting another one. It was a losing skid coach Eric Musselman didn’t talk about before the game.
Austin Cindric celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on Sunday in Daytona Beach. (JOHN RAOUX/Associated Press)

Austin Cindric celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on Sunday in Daytona Beach. (JOHN RAOUX/Associated Press)

AUTO RACING: Cindric wins Daytona 500 to celebrate Penske's 85th birthday

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Sunday, February 20, 2022
DAYTONA BEACH — Roger Penske had one rule at the Daytona 500 for his drivers: Do Not Wreck Each Other. His orders were followed Sunday night when Austin Cindric worked with teammate Ryan Blaney over the closing laps to win the Daytona 500 as a celebration of Penske's 85th birthday.
Duke forward Joey Baker (13) draws a charge against Florida State center Tanor Ngom (11) while Duke forward Theo John (12) defends during Saturday’s game in Durham, N.C. (GERRY BROOME/Associated Press)

Duke forward Joey Baker (13) draws a charge against Florida State center Tanor Ngom (11) while Duke forward Theo John (12) defends during Saturday’s game in Durham, N.C. (GERRY BROOME/Associated Press)

COLLEGE BASKETBALL: No. 9 Duke rolls past Florida State in Coach K’s return

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Saturday, February 19, 2022
DURHAM, N.C.— Joey Baker hadn't seen a 3-pointer fall in three weeks for Duke. He stayed confident that it was just a matter of time. When he got hot Saturday night, so did the ninth-ranked Blue Devils in finally stretching out a lead in a tight game.
Florida guard Tyree Appleby (left) talks with broadcasters as he celebrates Florida's 63-62 win over Auburn on Saturday in Gainesville. (ALAN YOUNGBLOOD/Associated Press)

Florida guard Tyree Appleby (left) talks with broadcasters as he celebrates Florida's 63-62 win over Auburn on Saturday in Gainesville. (ALAN YOUNGBLOOD/Associated Press)

COLLEGE BASKETBALL: Appleby takes over as Florida rallies to upset No. 2 Auburn

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Saturday, February 19, 2022
GAINESVILLE — Tyree Appleby found himself swarmed by students, fans and teammates at midcourt. It was the first time a scene like that unfolded at the O'Connell Center in more than 30 years. Appleby was right in the middle of it, enjoying every second in the spotlight.
Former Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores smiles on the sidelines during a game against the Carolina Panthers on Nov. 28, 2021, in Miami Gardens. (AP FILE)

Former Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores smiles on the sidelines during a game against the Carolina Panthers on Nov. 28, 2021, in Miami Gardens. (AP FILE)

NFL: Flores hired to Steelers staff; lawsuit against NFL proceeds

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Saturday, February 19, 2022
PITTSBURGH — Brian Flores is back in the NFL. The Pittsburgh Steelers hired the former Miami Dolphins coach on Saturday to serve as a senior defensive assistant. Flores will specialize in working with Pittsburgh's linebackers, a group that includes NFL Defensive Player of the Year T.J. Watt.
Columbia pitcher Truitt Todd throws during a game last season. (FILE)

Columbia pitcher Truitt Todd throws during a game last season. (FILE)

BASEBALL PREVIEW: Columbia, Suwannee loaded up for playoff contention

JORDAN KROEGER
Friday, February 18, 2022
No team in the area made the playoffs last season, but that’s expected to change in 2022. Columbia is now led by first-year head coach Chris Howard, who coached Hamilton County to the Class 1A Final Four last season and is replacing Brian Thomas who retired after five years.