Sports

Florida head coach Kelly Rae Finley smiles before a game against South Carolina on Jan. 30 in Gainesville. (ALAN YOUNGBLOOD/Associated Press)

Florida head coach Kelly Rae Finley smiles before a game against South Carolina on Jan. 30 in Gainesville. (ALAN YOUNGBLOOD/Associated Press)

WOMEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL: Florida enters AP Top 25 for first time since 2016

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Monday, February 7, 2022
GAINESVILLE — Florida coach Kelly Rae Finley has the Gators playing their best basketball in years, with wins over four ranked teams in their past five games. Buoyed by that success, the Gators jumped into The Associated Press women's basketball poll at No.
Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shahid Khan, left, and new head coach Doug Pederson smile during a news conference on Saturday in Jacksonville. (MARK LONG/Associated Press)

Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shahid Khan, left, and new head coach Doug Pederson smile during a news conference on Saturday in Jacksonville. (MARK LONG/Associated Press)

NFL: Jaguars tweaking power structure after hiring Doug Pederson

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Saturday, February 5, 2022
JACKSONVILLE — Doug Pederson won’t have the power Urban Meyer had with the Jacksonville Jaguars. The team and its fans can only hope that's a good thing.
The Fort White girls basketball team hoists the District 6-1A Championship trophy in the air as it celebrates the program’s first district title Friday night. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

The Fort White girls basketball team hoists the District 6-1A Championship trophy in the air as it celebrates the program’s first district title Friday night. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

GIRLS BASKETBALL: Fort White holds off Bradford for first district title in program history

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Friday, February 4, 2022
FORT WHITE — DeShay Harris sat on the bench, his hands tucked in the pockets of his Fort White letterman jacket. The Indians’ head coach’s stare reached past the confetti littering the floor and the students rushing the court. His stoicism betrayed no emotion, save for a faint glimmer in his eyes.
Columbia guard Na’Haviya Paxton battles Gainesville forward Imari Keenon for possession Friday night in the District 3-6A Championship Game on Friday night. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia guard Na’Haviya Paxton battles Gainesville forward Imari Keenon for possession Friday night in the District 3-6A Championship Game on Friday night. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

GIRLS BASKETBALL: Columbia falls to Gainesville in foul-filled District 3-6A Championship

JORDAN KROEGER
Friday, February 4, 2022
GAINESVILLE — Columbia head coach Anthony Perry took Gainesville off the schedule this year. Why? Poor officiating. On Friday night, his Tigers had no choice but to play the Hurricanes in the Purple Palace for the District 3-6A Championship.
Columbia recognized seniors Ke’juan Paige (from left), Caden Perry, Brae Deal, Jerome Fulton and Marcus Peterson before Friday night’s game. (CONCEPCION LEDEZMA/Special to the Reporter)

Columbia recognized seniors Ke’juan Paige (from left), Caden Perry, Brae Deal, Jerome Fulton and Marcus Peterson before Friday night’s game. (CONCEPCION LEDEZMA/Special to the Reporter)

BOYS BASKETBALL: Columbia holds off Madison County on Senior Night

CONCEPCION LEDEZMA
Friday, February 4, 2022
With the district tournament on the horizon, Senior Night for Columbia at first looked like it was going to also turn into Tuneup Night.