Sports

Central Florida's Brittney Smith, center, shoots between Florida's Faith Dut, left, and Florida's Zippy Broughton, right, during their first-round game in the NCAA tournament on Saturday Storrs, Conn. (JESSICA HILL/Associated Press)

Central Florida's Brittney Smith, center, shoots between Florida's Faith Dut, left, and Florida's Zippy Broughton, right, during their first-round game in the NCAA tournament on Saturday Storrs, Conn. (JESSICA HILL/Associated Press)

WOMEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL: Smith's 26 points help UCF to first-ever win over Florida in NCAA tournament

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Saturday, March 19, 2022
STORRS, Conn.— UCF traveled more than 1,000 miles to play in-state rival Florida in the NCAA Tournament. For the Knights, it was well worth the trip. Brittney Smith came off the bench to score a career-high 26 points and lead No. 7 seed UCF over the Gators 69-52 on Saturday.
Florida quarterback Emory Jones warms up for the team's game against Missouri on Nov. 20, 2021, in Columbia, Mo. (AP File)

Florida quarterback Emory Jones warms up for the team's game against Missouri on Nov. 20, 2021, in Columbia, Mo. (AP File)

COLLEGE FOOTBALL: Florida QB Emory Jones transferring after 2 spring practices

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Saturday, March 19, 2022
GAINESVILLE — Quarterback Emory Jones is leaving Florida after just two days of spring practice. Jones announced Saturday he is entering the NCAA transfer portal, an about-face for a fifth-year senior who said earlier this week he wanted to give new coach Billy Napier and his staff a chance.
CHS, FWHS, SHS, BHS

CHS, FWHS, SHS, BHS

PREP ROUNDUP: Scores and stats for Friday's baseball/softball games

NEWS STAFF
Saturday, March 19, 2022
Here are the stats and results for Friday's baseball and softball games in the area: BASEBALL — Suwannee 8, Mosley 7: The Bulldogs (6-2) scored three runs in the seventh to force extra innings and then rallied again with two runs in the eighth on a walk-off home run by Camdon Frier for a win over...
Columbia head coach Chris Howard (left) waves home Columbia outfielder Branson Mann as he rounds third base for a run against Gainesville on Friday night. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia head coach Chris Howard (left) waves home Columbia outfielder Branson Mann as he rounds third base for a run against Gainesville on Friday night. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP BASEBALL: CHS uses big third inning to beat GHS for eighth straight win

CONCEPCION LEDEZMA
Friday, March 18, 2022
Just a few weeks back, Columbia needed a dramatic, game-ending play at the plate to preserve a 7-6 victory at Gainesville. This time, the only drama at Columbia occurred when the game was delayed twice because of the power outage of the school’s stadium lights.
Suwannee’s Yael Hernandez performs the clean and jerk during the Bulldog Invitational on Friday. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Special to the Reporter)

Suwannee’s Yael Hernandez performs the clean and jerk during the Bulldog Invitational on Friday. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Special to the Reporter)

BOYS WEIGHTLIFTING: Suwannee wins Bulldog Invitational in traditional & snatch

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, March 18, 2022
LIVE OAK — The Bulldog Invitational was twice as nice for host Suwannee on Friday. The Bulldogs easily won the snatch event at the 11-team meet, totaling 81 points to Leesburg’s 39. SHS then edged Baker County in the traditional event, with 47 points to the Wildcats’ 39.
San Francisco head coach Todd Golden applauds his team during a game against Murray State in the first round of the NCAA tournament on Thursday in Indianapolis. (DARRON CUMMINGS/Associated Press)

San Francisco head coach Todd Golden applauds his team during a game against Murray State in the first round of the NCAA tournament on Thursday in Indianapolis. (DARRON CUMMINGS/Associated Press)

MEN'S COLLEGE BASKETBALL: Florida hires San Francisco's Golden as new coach

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Friday, March 18, 2022
GAINESVILLE — Florida hired San Francisco's Todd Golden as its basketball coach Friday, turning to the 36-year-old former Auburn assistant to revitalize a program that had grown stale under Mike White.
Jacksonville Jaguars center Brandon Linder (65) walks to the sideline during a timeout in a game against the Houston Texans on Dec. 19, 2021, in Jacksonville. (PHELAN M. EBENHACK/Associated Press)

Jacksonville Jaguars center Brandon Linder (65) walks to the sideline during a timeout in a game against the Houston Texans on Dec. 19, 2021, in Jacksonville. (PHELAN M. EBENHACK/Associated Press)

NFL: Jags C Linder considering retirement after 8 years

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Friday, March 18, 2022
JACKSONVILLE — Veteran center Brandon Linder has likely played his final game in Jacksonville, possibly in the NFL. The Jaguars are giving Linder time as he contemplates retirement after eight injury-filled seasons, according to a person familiar with discussions.
Florida State center River Baldwin (1) shoots against Missouri State forward Jennifer Ezeh (12) during their First Four game in the NCAA tournament on Thursday in Baton Rouge, La. (MATTHEW HINTON/Associated Press)

Florida State center River Baldwin (1) shoots against Missouri State forward Jennifer Ezeh (12) during their First Four game in the NCAA tournament on Thursday in Baton Rouge, La. (MATTHEW HINTON/Associated Press)

WOMEN'S COLLEGE BASKETBALL: Missouri State knocks out Florida State in First Four matchup

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Thursday, March 17, 2022
BATON ROUGE, La.— Mya Bhinhar scored 12 points, Mariah White had 11 points and five steals and Missouri State beat Florida State 61-50 on Thursday night in a First Four game. Eleventh-seeded Missouri State (25-7) will face sixth-seeded Ohio State in the Spokane Region on Saturday.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Christian Kirk looks on after playing against the Seattle Seahawks on Jan. 9 in Phoenix. (AP File)

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Christian Kirk looks on after playing against the Seattle Seahawks on Jan. 9 in Phoenix. (AP File)

NFL: Overpaid? Kirk relishes chance to prove doubters wrong in Jacksonville

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Thursday, March 17, 2022
JACKSONVILLE — Christian Kirk spent the first part of his NFL career playing alongside some great receivers, maybe even a couple of future Hall of Famers. He watched, listened and learned from each of them, first Larry Fitzgerald, then DeAndre Hopkins and eventually A.J. Green.