Sports

Columbia junior Jason Caballero (left) shields the ball away from Suwannee midfielder Joel De La Cruz during Friday night’s game at Columbia High School. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia junior Jason Caballero (left) shields the ball away from Suwannee midfielder Joel De La Cruz during Friday night’s game at Columbia High School. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

BOYS SOCCER: Tigers, Bulldogs wrap up rivalry with tie on Senior Night

CONCEPCION LEDEZMA
Friday, January 7, 2022
Columbia didn’t win on Senior Night, but Tigers coach Trevor Hickman was left satisfied with his team’s grit in responding to a late match deficit, resulting in a 1-1 tie in a Friday night dogfight against cross-county rival Suwannee. Columbia’s record is now 4-8-2 while the Bulldogs are 6-4-5.
Suwannee County Superintendent Ted Roush (left) offers a few words in honor of forme Branford coach and teacher LeNelle Morgan before the Branford gym is dedicated to her. (PAUL BUCHANON/Special to the Reporter)

Suwannee County Superintendent Ted Roush (left) offers a few words in honor of forme Branford coach and teacher LeNelle Morgan before the Branford gym is dedicated to her. (PAUL BUCHANON/Special to the Reporter)

GIRLS BASKETBALL: Branford dedicates gym to Morgan

NEWS STAFF
Friday, January 7, 2022
While the result on the court after the game wasn’t to Branford’s liking, the result beforehand definitely was. LeNelle Phillips Morgan was honored before Thursday night’s girls basketball game between the Bucs and Fort White, with the school dedicating the gym’s name to Morgan.
Fort White forward Isreal Hart (12) blocks a layup attempt from Branford’s Zjamyah Wilson during Thursday night’s 56-26 Indians win at LeNelle Phillips Morgan Gym. (PAUL BUCHANON/Special to the Reporter)

Fort White forward Isreal Hart (12) blocks a layup attempt from Branford’s Zjamyah Wilson during Thursday night’s 56-26 Indians win at LeNelle Phillips Morgan Gym. (PAUL BUCHANON/Special to the Reporter)

GIRLS BASKETBALL: Fort White rolls over Bucs

CONCEPCION LEDEZMA
Thursday, January 6, 2022
BRANFORD — So far this season, Fort White is proving that building around youth can be gratifying. For Branford, however, it’s the more typical case of taking your lumps while enduring the growing pains.
Alabama guard Jaden Shackelford (5) brings the ball up past Florida guard Tyree Appleby (22) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2022, in Gainesville. (MATT STAMEY/Associated Press)

Alabama guard Jaden Shackelford (5) brings the ball up past Florida guard Tyree Appleby (22) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2022, in Gainesville. (MATT STAMEY/Associated Press)

COLLEGE BASKETBALL: No. 15 Bama uses huge 2nd-half run to top Gators

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Wednesday, January 5, 2022
GAINESVILLE — Alabama coach Nate Oats challenged his guys at halftime to be better “with the blue-collar stuff.” He didn't need to be more specific. They knew he meant rebounds, blocks, steals, deflections and loose balls.
Wake Forest's Jake LaRavia, bottom, and Florida State's Anthony Polite battle for a loose ball during Tuesday's game at Joel Coliseum in Winston-Salem, N.C. (WALT UNKS/The Winston-Salem Journal via AP)

Wake Forest's Jake LaRavia, bottom, and Florida State's Anthony Polite battle for a loose ball during Tuesday's game at Joel Coliseum in Winston-Salem, N.C. (WALT UNKS/The Winston-Salem Journal via AP)

COLLEGE BASKETBALL: Florida State has horrid night shooting as Wake Forest snaps 4-game skid

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Tuesday, January 4, 2022
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C.— Jake LaRavia scored 22 points, Alondes Williams added 20 and Wake Forest pulled away early in the first half and cruised to a 76-54 victory over Florida State on Tuesday night.
Columbia guard Jerome Carter dives for a loose ball against Godby during the Hitchcock’s Challenge at Legacy Park on Dec. 30 in Alachua. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter).

Columbia guard Jerome Carter dives for a loose ball against Godby during the Hitchcock’s Challenge at Legacy Park on Dec. 30 in Alachua. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter).

PREP SPORTS: FHSAA releases new winter rankings, including first set for boys hoops

JORDAN KROEGER
Tuesday, January 4, 2022
The first FHSAA boys basketball rankings were released on Tuesday and Columbia has some work to do. The Tigers (6-7) are currently out of the playoff field with a 7.094 rating in Region 1-6A, while St. Augustine is in eighth for the final spot with an 8.895 rating. That 7.
Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shad Khan is shown on the field before a game against the Miami Dolphins at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Oct. 17, 2021, in London. (AP File)

Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shad Khan is shown on the field before a game against the Miami Dolphins at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Oct. 17, 2021, in London. (AP File)

ANALYSIS: Clown party? Frustrated Jags fans trying to elicit GM change

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Monday, January 3, 2022
JACKSONVILLE — If a 40-point drubbing at New England didn’t get Jacksonville owner Shad Khan’s full attention, then what’s being planned for the team's season finale just might. Frustrated fans are revolting against the Jaguars and have Khan in their crosshairs.
Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Chris Claybrooks is taken down by New England Patriots defensive back Cody Davis during Sunday's game in Foxborough, Mass. (STEVEN SENNE/Associated Press)

Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Chris Claybrooks is taken down by New England Patriots defensive back Cody Davis during Sunday's game in Foxborough, Mass. (STEVEN SENNE/Associated Press)

NFL: Patriots blow past Jaguars to clinch playoff berth

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Sunday, January 2, 2022
FOXBOROUGH, Mass.— The Patriots squandered an opportunity to lock up the AFC East title in a humbling loss to the Bills last week.  They took out their frustrations on the lowly Jaguars to earn their way back into the postseason.