Sports

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.
Georgia wide receiver Jermaine Burton celebrates after scoring with wide receiver George Pickens against Michigan during the Orange Bowl College Football Playoff semifinal on Friday in Miami Gardens. (LYNNA SLADKY/Associated Press)

Georgia wide receiver Jermaine Burton celebrates after scoring with wide receiver George Pickens against Michigan during the Orange Bowl College Football Playoff semifinal on Friday in Miami Gardens. (LYNNA SLADKY/Associated Press)

COLLEGE FOOTBALL: No. 3 Georgia beats No. 2 Michigan in CFP semifinal

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Friday, December 31, 2021
MIAMI GARDENS — With one overwhelming half at the Orange Bowl, No. 3 Georgia showed that a humbling loss to Alabama did not break the Bulldogs. In fact, it might have made them even stronger.
Alabama running back Brian Robinson Jr. runs for a first down as Cincinnati linebacker Deshawn Pace reaches from behind to tackle him during the Cotton Bowl College Football Playoff semifinal game on Friday in Arlington, Texas. Alabama won 27-6. (MICHAEL AINSWORTH/Associated Press)

Alabama running back Brian Robinson Jr. runs for a first down as Cincinnati linebacker Deshawn Pace reaches from behind to tackle him during the Cotton Bowl College Football Playoff semifinal game on Friday in Arlington, Texas. Alabama won 27-6. (MICHAEL AINSWORTH/Associated Press)

COLLEGE FOOTBALL: Tide runs over non-P5 Cincy in CFP semifinal

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Friday, December 31, 2021
ARLINGTON, Texas — Brian Robinson Jr. grew up near the Alabama campus watching the Crimson Tide win championships, and wanting to play a big part in one.
Columbia guard Isaac Broxey has the ball knocked away from him by a Godby defender during the final day of the Hitchcock’s Challenge at Legacy Park on Thursday in Alachua. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia guard Isaac Broxey has the ball knocked away from him by a Godby defender during the final day of the Hitchcock’s Challenge at Legacy Park on Thursday in Alachua. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

BOYS BASKETBALL: Turnovers bite Columbia again in Hitchcock's Challenge finale loss to Godby

JORDAN KROEGER
Thursday, December 30, 2021
ALACHUA — With each turnover, Columbia head coach Steve Faulkner dropped his head in exasperation. The Tigers had 22 of them in Thursday’s Hitchcock’s Challenge finale against Godby at Legacy Park.